SKIER and author Kimberley Kay returned to her roots to hold a book signing at the outdoor ski slope where she honed her skills.

At The Hill, home of Ski Rossendale, she was reunited with manager Dave Fuller, one of the slopes founders.

Her book Ski A-Z is a practical guide to everything skiing, from venues and terminology, to top tips she has acquired after more than 40 years racing, teaching and promoting skiing holidays.

An illustrator by trade, she created the beautiful images in the book, and is now turning them into fabrics.

Mr Fuller said: “It is great to see Kim again.

"I have known her and her whole family for a lot of years and it is lovely to see her giving back to the skiing community through this wonderful book.

“It is great, easy to understand and is really going to help a lot of people.”

Kimberley was born in Stacksteads, attended Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, Accrington and Rossendale College and then Edge Hill University.

She now lives in Sheffield with her husband and stepchildren who also feature in her illustrations in the book.

Kimberley said: “The book is my legacy and I hope it will make skiing more accessible to people so they can feel more confident.”

She was previously asked to submit illustrations for Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur’s extreme skiing book 30 Years In a White Haze.

They asked for 10 black and white images, she provided more than 20 to choose from and ended up having 22 included in the book.

When she pitched the idea of her own book to Europe’s leading sports publisher Meyer & Meyer Sport, it only took them just 40 minutes to agree a deal.

She said: “The book complements instruction and is for everyone, grandparents helping children get into the sport and groups of skiers to help them get into skiing.

“I include my top tips and also the experience I have gained from over the years.”

Her mum Maureen accompanied her at the book signing and said: “I am just so proud of her. I know the amount of work that has gone into creating the book.”

In full colour hardback format and ebook, Ski A to Z is available to buy now on all online book retailers and through bookshops.