IN the midst of the school summer holidays, a group of youngsters are enjoying a week sampling the delights of a supposedly winter-only pastime.

Some 26 youngsters have started a summer training camp at Ski Rossendale in Rawtenstall, which lasts all week.

It is the second such event put on at the dry ski slope in Haslingden Old Road, building on the success of last year’s opener.

The youthful enthusiasts, aged between seven and 15, tested out their skills under the tutelage of Jo Ryding, sister of the Chorley-born alpine ski racer Dave Ryding, and members of her team.

Jo is head coach at her company JR Ski Racing, while Dave, who specialises in slalom, has competed in two Olympics, four World Championships and won the Europa Cup.

The coaching for the youngsters consists of all aspects of ski race training, such as fitness, gate work, drills and video analysis. Prizes from sponsors and the Ski Race club await some of the youngsters at the end of the camp.

Phil Hart of the Ski Race club, an organiser of the training camp, said this year’s event followed on from the success of a similar camp last summer, adding that it was brought back ‘by popular demand’.

Mr Hart added: “It has gone very, very well so far. It’s all about encouraging youngsters to gain and develop their skills.”