By Nick Griffiths

Last updated at 10:22, Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Some like it hot – but these winter sports fans enjoyed it cold as they grabbed a piste of the action to take to Cumbria’s equivalent to the Alps.

Paul Crosby takes off from one of the jumps

• Video: Coming down the piste at Yad Moss

A remote corner of the county took on the look of a ski resort as the cold spell delivered snow to fells outside Alston, drawing dozens to the white-covered slopes.

Skiers and snowboarders wrapped up against the sub-zero temperatures swooped down the Yad Moss Snow Slope, leaping over jumps and shooting down the fell.

About 60 people took to the slope, run by volunteers from the club Carlisle Ski Centre, as it opened last Wednesday.

The fell, known as Burnhope Seat, made for a stunning setting. Surrounded by vast open space, the bright clothes of those taking part stood out against the white backdrop as the sun glinted off the snow when the clouds parted.

People had parked on the side of the country road below and clambered out to put on ski jackets, woolly hats, gloves and salopettes.

A poma tow pulled skiiers and snowboarders up the slope for them to pause at the top before hurtling down.

Snowboarder Allen Williams, of Willow Close, Penrith, was with friend Matthew Cook, of Langwathby. Allen said: “We just checked the website and it said it was open so we came over. We’re really enjoying the day.”

Peter Hetherington, a volunteer at the slope, said it had opened for more than 70 days during the harsh winter of two years ago but they had managed just two days this season. “We’ve not had that much snow this year so we’ve got to open when we can,” he added.

The snow slope, which has eight runs, has been run by volunteers for nearly 40 years.

For details go to www.yadmoss.co.uk or call 01228 561634.

First published at 10:17, Tuesday, 22 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk