Yeovil Ski Centre
Yeovil Ski Centre
On the western flank of Summerhouse Hill
In 1987 a new ski and entertainment centre, called the Yeovil Alpine Village, was built off Addlewell Lane, on a 2.26 hectare site on the western flank of Summerhouse Hill.
As well as an entertainment venue, the ski centre had one floodlit 110-metre Dendrix artificial ski slope with four jumps ranging between 0.3 metres and 1.8 metres in height. There were also two other learning slopes together with an electric lift and wheelhouse.
Both the entertainment venue and the ski centre closed in 2007 but remained derelict for many years. Despite several suggested failed schemes for turning the centre into an arts centre, a hotel, he ski lodge was finally demolished in February 2017 but for the present the ski slope still scars the hillside.
gallery
Courtesy of
Roger Froude
The view across Dodham valley, around 1982, from the site of what would become the ski slope.
Courtesy
of Roger Froude
The view across Dodham valley from the same location as the previous photograph but showing the early groundworks for the ski slope.
Courtesy of
Roger Froude.
This photograph
features in my
book "Now
That's What I
Call Yeovil".
The ski slope under construction, around 1983.
Courtesy of
Colin Adams
The Wincanton Garages' petrol station and used car centre on it`s opening day, 21 April 1988, taken from the Stars Lane car park opposite. Note the ski slope in use in the background at this time.
The signage of the former Yeovil Alpine Village.
Courtesy of
Natalie Shaw
The ski slopes in use during the early 1990s.
Courtesy of
Len Copland
Michael 'Eddie' Edwards, best known as 'Eddie the Eagle' visits the Yeovil Ski Centre in 1991. In 1988 Eddie became the first competitor since 1929 to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping, finishing last in the 70m and 90m events.
Courtesy of Rich
Pittman
Another 1991 photo of 'Eddie the Eagle' on the ski slope.
The ski slope a few years after closure.
Looking down the derelict ski slope.
