Beginner would you recommend artifical slopes for practise

Well - on "snow domes", I took my partner to Chill Factor e on Sunday, as a special 50th birthday treat (it is 300+ miles away from us), and I can't say that it was good for improving technique on - the way it was Sunday anyway. We are more or less beginners, having had a week's beginners lessons on holiday mid February, but I found the slope in CFe so fast, that soon after setting off down, it became a case of survival, and damage limitation, rather than perfecting technique. There was also so much loose snow about, and it had been collected in lumps here and there, that it threw my skis about, and I just could not get a nice, tidy descent where I had time to practise technique.
The most important thing though, is that she enjoyed the experience nevertheless, so it made arranging the surprise worthwhile, but at £30 each for 2 hours, I can't say that it was a good improvement/cost ratio.

300 mile trip! That is dedication.

If you live near a major airport, weekend trips from UK to a ski resort are a feasible alternative. I can reach a B&B at a ski resort via Innsbruck airport within 6 hours of locking my door in London, and it can be done in 5 hours at a push. Probably from Wales it takes a bit longer...

As to Ski-maverick's qustion on skis, I do just fine with a decent pair of 2003 secondhand skis, bought for 25 pounds. My previous skis I have discsussed here were about the same price but were a struggle to learn on. But on budget airlines taking skis is so expensive, I would probably be renting, if I did have a place to store my skis in Austria.

As for cheap skis, I would not know, but I think part of my problem starting out was that my skis were stiff, and desinged for aggressive skiing. Probably when buying skis one should be realistic, and if it says 'intermediate to advanced' I have to keep reminding myself that after only 3 seasons skiing this equipment is not suitable for my needs.

Probably mis-led you all. It was a 300 mile round trip - not one way. 3 hr journey one way.

Do not go anywhere without wrist guards!! broken wrists are the pits!!

hi me and my family have just done ski lessons at our local xscape centre its a indoor snow place and we found if you can take lessons first thing in the morning and you will find you usually get a 1 on 1 with the instuctor and now its low sesson so its the best time to do it. i was hopless when i 1st started the instuctor said i looked like a windmill going down the slope .. i had a few falls but great fun all the same have a laugh and take it step by step the lessongs cost $24 for a hour each then a 10%discount on next lesson, hope you have fun ...get to tk max for your gear as they sell quality stuff at good price or go into the net and buy it at good prices while the summer sales are one but dont worry about the botts just now hope this helps ..from a beginer :)