4 icy activities you can do in London this summer

From ice skating to skiing, Annie Ross shows you how to get your winter sports fix while the sun's shining
Ice climbing at Vertical Chill
Annie Ross2 June 2016

With the English weather showing strong signs of summer, we don’t want you to go cold turkey on winter. All year round icy activities can be found in the heart of London. Here are our top four picks for you to get your mitts on for:

Ice climbing

Inside Ellis Brigham's flagship store in Covent Garden is a two-story-high refrigerated unit containing an ice wall. Vertical Chill offers courses for beginners who have never ice climbed before as well as intermediate and advanced sessions to learn new techniques and test out equipment.

With room for two people at a time, the tuition is targeted and usually lasts an hour.

Find it: Vertical Chill, WC2; vertical-chill.com

Indoor skiing at Skiplex

Indoor skiing

Who knew you could ski in London? Chiswick boasts an indoor ski slope, Skiplex, which has revolving, fully-adjustable slopes. Like a treadmill for skiers, the Astroturf slopes can be adjusted depending on abilities and are built to replicate a real piste.

Qualified instructors work with all levels of experience, from beginners to expert seasonnaires. It's an economical way to learn and train so that you're ski ready for the slopes come winter.

Find it: Skiplex, W4; skiplex.co.uk

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Ice skating

Alongside playing host to the likes of Florence and the Machine, the Ally Pally has an all year round ice rink.

With the chance to practice on the ice this summer, and time to book a lesson, we might even be ready to let go of the sides when the Christmas ice rinks pop up.

Find it: Alexandra Palace, N22; alexandrapalace.com

Unheated: Brockwell Lido

Outdoor swimming

Whilst there are a few outdoor heated pools (London Fields and Oasis), this is an icy article and unheated is where we’re headed. Parliament Hill Lido, Brockwell Lido and Tooting Bec fit the bill in the pool category, whilst Hampstead Heath and the Serpentine offer wild pond swimming opportunities.

Enjoy the icy thrills of keeping cool this summer...

Annie Ross is the founder of eXerK.com, completing 52 sporting challenges in 52 weeks during 2015. Follow her on Instagram @eXerKyourself

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