London, United Kingdom — London isn’t considered a ski hub for obvious reasons, but it once featured an outdoor ski slope. How was that even possible, and what happened to it?
In a video by Luke O’Sullivan, he analyzes the history of the no-no-notorius Beckton Alps. The synthetic ski slope provided skiing in London, but it was probably not the healthiest place to get your turns in. The hazardous chemicals from the mound continue to pose an environmental hazard to this day.
History of Beckton Alps
For years, one of the world’s largest gas plants needed a place to dump its waste. They ended up dumping byproducts into a landfill that grew over time. Eventually, it was known as the Beckton Alps, which gave someone the idea to create a synthetic ski slope there. Synthetic ski slopes are big in the UK because they allow people to ski in less wintry locations. The ski area, which operated for 13 years, was christened by Princess Diana.
Over time, indoor ski resorts grew in popularity, drawing business away from Beckton. In the early 2000s, a new developer bought the land and closed the slope to build an indoor ski resort there. That never happened, as the landfill is now abandoned, overgrown, and leaking pollutants. The land is still for sale, and one potential use is listed as an indoor ski center. At this point, the mound probably has a lot of Brits saying: “Right, what’s all this then?”
If you’re in London and want to go skiing, the closest indoor skiing on snow is The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead.
Alternatively, London offers great transit access to other skiing destinations in Europe, whether by plane or rail.
Image/Video Credits: Liam O’Sullivan, Peter George
