New York Habitat Blog

When most people rave about their vacations in London, they generally don’t mention the city’s great skiing. Well, all that has changed with the opening of the (originally built as the Millennium Dome). The massive entertainment complex that regularly hosts concerts and live performances now boasts indoor slopes for skiing, snowboarding and tubing! So book a New York Habitat vacation rental near North Greenwich, grab your goggles and gear, and get ready to hit the slopes in one of the world’s newest winter sport hot spots.

London Accommodation: 1-bedroom rental in Greenwich (LN-554)

The O2 is London’s first-ever artificial indoor skiing destination, with twin slopes measuring forty-five meters each and covered in a material called “perma-matting” that simulates real snow. It is the ideal way for beginners to learn the basics of skiing or snowboarding, with four experienced instructors on hand, or for expert to get some practice in before heading out to the nearest mountains in northern England. For family fun, a romantic date or a day out with friends, the O2’s indoor slopes (open until the end of January) are tough to top. In fact, London’s usual tourist attractions may all seem downhill from there!

What makes the O2 slopes even more of a must-do is the convenience: Equipment can be rented as part of the reasonably priced hour or half-hour tickets, making the rest of your day in London much easier without having to carry skis while you sightsee or lug snow tubes onto the Tube! In addition, the arena itself is well-stocked with culinary choices—from fish and chips and traditional British pub grub to an elegant and eclectic Thai eatery, sushi restaurant and tapas bar. It has all the tastes of London under one roof (that, granted, resembles an overturned cockroach…you really do have to see it for yourself)—plus a charming slope-side cabin/café complete with evergreen trees to make you feel like you’re really in the mountains.

London Accommodation: 1-bedroom Vacation Rental (LN-556)

Best of all, the O2 arena is centrally located in North Greenwich, an area full of sightseeing delights, such as sprawling Greenwich Park, the stately Queen’s House, the Royal Observatory, the Prime Meridian, the Maritime Museum and some of the most memorable views of London. It’s one of the few places where you can go from the slopes to the riverside to the grassy, green hillside all in one afternoon.

To get the most out of Greenwich, stay in a nearby New York Habitat vacation accommodation, such as:

• A modern, well-appointed 1-bedroom apartment in Greenwich (LN-554) with an elevator, 24-hour concierge and terrace, walking distance from the O2 Arena and only one Tube stop from Canary Wharf.

• A sumptuous and stylish 1-bedroom rental in Greenwich (LN-555), on Greenwich Peninsula next to London’s contemporary financial center. This accommodation comes with the added bonuses of a balcony, blonde wood floors and chocolate brown leather seating.

• A warmly furnished, cream-colored 1-bedroom vacation rental in Greenwich (LN-556) with killer views! This Millennium Village accommodation is just a few short DLR stops to Tower Bridge and a fifteen-minute Tube ride to the city’s West End.

Though the holiday season may be over, there’s still time to enjoy winter sports by hitting the slopes in the heart of London!

Which unusual attraction have you enjoyed in London? Let us know in a comment below.

1. Head South This Winter: Brixton, South London
2. Historic London Pubs: Nag’s Head
3. Dance Your Heart Out at Paris’ Techno Parade
4. After the Louvre, head to Paris’ prettiest bridge

This entry was posted on Monday, January 12th, 2009 in London Attractions.
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