A FATHER-of-two is preparing to ski 60 miles across the frozen wastes of the Arctic – even though he’s never been on a skiing holiday before.

Hotel boss Vernon Powell, 42, of Helmshore, will undergo a crash course in skiing in April, just days before he embarks on a gruelling 11-day trek to the North Pole.

And despite only a few attempts at skiing on artificial surfaces in the UK some years ago, Mr Powell is confident he can pick up cross country skiing techniques quickly enough to finish the challenge.

Mr Powell, who is taking on the trek in a bid to challenge himself, said: “The starting point for all of this was the fact that it is something I have wanted to do for a while.

“I’ve been going to the gym a lot recently and I’ve been doing a lot of miles walking in the hills at the weekends.

“There’s not many places better than East Lancashire for hill walking and I’ve been up and down Pendle Hill a few times and did another 15-mile walk last weekend.”

Mr Powell, who runs Holden Vale Hotel, Holcombe Road, will start official preparations on April 9 in Longyearbyen, Norway, before being air- lifted to the Borneo Ice Station on April 16.

Their team will then set out for the Pole. Working with dog teams along the way, in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius, the aim is to reach the North Pole around 12 days later.

The expedition is being organised by a team in the USA, and Mr Powell will meet up with the only other UK participant when he starts the trek in the spring.

And he is also hoping to raise £10,000 for Cancer Research and Macmillan Cancer Care in the process. He said: “Cancer touches lots of families and I thought this would be a good opportunity to raise money for charities.

“We have also raised a lot through our business over time, so I thought it was a natural choice.”

Mr Powell is keen to hear from anybody who wishes to sponsor him, be it individuals, or corporate sponsors.

Call him on 01706 217 865.