The growing number of indoor snow centres in the UK makes it possible for Brits to get around a perennial problem that faced us when we bought our ski equipment – testing it first.

We had the choice of buying abroad in a ski resort where we could test it but not easily return it to the shop if there was a problem, or of buying at our local ski shop but not really testing it until we got to the Alps and then had little come back if there was a problem.

Well, not quite but there is snow on the ground and skiers and snowboarders have been out enjoying it. 80 tonnes of snow was laying on the ground in Kelvingrove Park today. It was though made at the nearby SNO! zone, the indoor snow centre at Braehead, and was brought over in 4 lorry loads.

Glaswegians should prepare them selves for some very unseasonable weather this weekend when the local SNO! zone indoor snow centre at Braehead will dump more than 60 tonnes of snow on Kelvingrove Park in the centre of the city this Sunday, May 23rd, to create a real snow slope from noon to 6pm.