
Business in the Community nominee – Kidsgrove Ski Centre
Kidsgrove Ski Centre is run by a team of unpaid volunteers ranging from 15 to 93 years old.
The centre, also known as North Staffs Ski Club, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024 and has been branded one of the best facilities of its kind in the country.
Some volunteers juggle their hours at the ski slope with holding down full-time jobs, some volunteers are retired and some young instructors volunteer alongside studying at school or college.
All profits are reinvested into enhancing the facilities including improvements to the ski slopes.
Sarah Eccleston said: “North Staffs Ski Club is situated in the heart of Kidsgrove and offers volunteer-led skills lessons, recreational ski opportunities and instructor training for young people across the county.
“From reception to boot room, cafe to inspirational ski instructors, all of these volunteers give up their precious family time to bring what is often seen as an elite middle-class sport to grassroots level for the young people of Staffordshire.
“Many people volunteer every weekend and evenings in the week including under-16s who help to coach young children. It’s a complete inspiration.”
Ann Loton, chair of the group and a member since 2003, said: “We do it because we all love skiing and being part of the community that we’ve created.
“We like to see people develop, but more importantly we like to see smiles on people’s faces. Some people had not been skiing for more than 20 years but when they come here they say how amazing their experience was when returning to the slope, that’s the reason we do what we do.”
The ski centre offers ski lessons for people aged six years and above. There are two slopes, one for teaching and the other for freestyle. They also organise residential trips overseas.
Every September the centre offers free give-it-a-go sessions to anyone with an interest in skiing.
A Daily Telegraph article in 2002 named the centre as ‘one of the best indoor slopes in the country’.
Ann added: “In 2014, we were able to purchase land to expand our offer and to create a second slope. This meant we were able to offer more in terms of freestyle.
“We’ve got young instructors who are enthusiastic about coaching, which means when we retire. These young instructors will often be the ones who would likely lead this centre in the future.
“We are where we are because we have people that really care about skiing and they are supporting those who want to get into the sport.”
Kidsgrove Ski Centre has been nominated in the Business in the Community category of the University of Staffordshire Business Awards.