Vandals Set Fire to Pontypool Ski Slope in Wales

28th August 2022

Last modified on August 31st, 2022

The top section of the artificial slopes has been destroyed in an arson attack. Police are appealing for help and the local race club has called it ‘devastating’.

Gwent Police said the “criminal damage” happened at Pontypool Ski Slope, Torfaen, sometime after 19:00 on Friday evening.

The discovery was made on Saturday morning as the local ski club arrived for a training session.

The start ramp and top section had been badly burnt.

Devastated by this mindless vandalism. The start ramp and matting has been burnt down last night. We spend so much time and money investing in our slope to be a community asset for all to enjoy. Please could you record and patrol @gwentpolice @TorfaenLeisureT @torfaencouncil 😢😢 pic.twitter.com/K2sgj6ziSX
— Pontypool Ski Racing (@PontypoolSki) August 27, 2022

See here for more images of the damage.

“That was a pretty devastating way to start the session,” said the chairwoman of Pontypool Ski Racing, Sara Jones, to the BBC.

“We’re a club of young children right up to adults who train.

“I think it’s for them that we felt the most disappointment.

“Before every session, our coaches inspect the slope because we have had incidents of antisocial behaviour in the past where there’s been bottles and debris left which obviously we need to remove before training.

“They got to the top of the slope and they noticed that everything had been burnt down.”

Ms Jones said whoever was responsible “clearly doesn’t value the fantastic assets we have in Torfaen and in Pontypool”.

She added: “This is something we should all be proud of. Our plea to anyone that would be part of this mindless vandalism is please come and join us.

“Don’t use your time to damage our facilities. Put on a pair of skis, we’ll welcome you with open arms.

“Help us to keep this facility sustainable for generations to come.”

Gwent Police have appealed for information.

“We’re appealing for information regarding criminal damage at Pontypool Ski Slopes, which took place between August 26 at 7pm and 27 at 9am,” said Gwent police.

“If you have any information please contact 101 or Gwent Police Facebook reference 2200291328.”