Whether you’ve hit the slopes before or you’ve never put ona pair of skis or a snowboard in your life, summer can be a great time to learn to ski or snowboard.

Yes, we didjust say 'in summer'.While you might consider it the season for beach getaways and BBQs, it’s actually a prime time to pop your skiing or snowboardingcherry, or even just brush up on your snow skills in preparation for a big winter skiing holiday.

From quieter pistes to perfecting your skills at your own pace, here are four reasons to hit the slopesduring the summer months.