5m 40. "I started out on piste patrol, then the boot room before moving up the bar"
Pmsl
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Such a bloody shame. Id never been there, but having learnt at stoke I know exactly what they mean about the community atmosphere. Its an atmosphere and community that just doesn't occur (or at least isn't as prevalent in snow domes). Theres something about skiing at night, or sunny weekends at a dry slope that snow domes don't have. The smell of beeswax, mr sheen and burning bases (or skin), the smell of the trees and algae from the tanks . Very sadly I can't see dry slopes lasting forever. Its nice to see some hanging in there and its a testament to those who manage them.
Very sadly I can't see dry slopes lasting forever. Its nice to see some hanging in there and its a testament to those who manage them.
Kendal is growing, and yes that's a testament to the team there (and maybe the 'get outdoors' attitude of Lakes folk).
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
How did it get so decrepit? The fire must have destroyed the buildings but I don't see how the slopes got in to such a state. Is this just pure vandalism?
After all it is free
After all it is free
I suspect people nicked the snowflex to make kickers in their gardens.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Surely just borrowed, to be returned at some time in the future
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Actually, I hear Kendal is 'growing'... suspicious?
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@admin,
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
@PaulC1984, Snowtrax down by Christchurch, is doing very well. It has a restaurant and a decent shop and they've just replaced most of the surface (Admin). But it lacks the length and the jumps and the half pipe Sheffield had. And the money's in ringos and skibobs and beginners' lessons. That said, there are some very sound freestylers down there.
I think there's a place for a decent dryslope set up. It would need to have the jumps like Sheffield and the length for a decent ski (which even the fridges can't manage). And unlike some lucky snowHeads I don't have a place in the Alps or the opportunity for multiple trips, but I can get to and afford the local dryslopes. It's just that they are a little lacking. If they could offer a bit more I would rather go there than ride a bike or run on a treadmill.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
Pleased to say that the dry slope at Rossendale has just got £500K from the Lottery/Sport England and has ambitious plans to rebuild and renovate so someone thinks it's worthwhile....
Lots of hard work going in form the current team there - good luck to them.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
henzerani wrote:
I think there's a place for a decent dryslope set up. It would need to have the jumps like Sheffield and the length for a decent ski (which even the fridges can't manage).
Decent length dryslopes do exist. Gloucester has a 230m and 250m slope, one which has permanent jumps (but not a half-pipe) and they regularly have an air-bag out. Pontypool is also 230m, but has no jumps. Hillend/Midlothian (Edinburgh) has a 450m slope.
By comparison, the longest indoor slope in UK (Chill Factore) is only 180m.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
I note that the Red Run video (a very slick production) was on Powder magazine's site also.
Fridges seem tame compared with a decent dry slope - they're too flat and too slow. They're also often crowded, badly patrolled, and commercial. Clearly there's a market for the "lifestyle experience" snow sports can bring to a shopping centre, but if you're actually into the sport then indoors in the uk isn't great.
I'm glad to hear Rossendale has more funding, and even happier that it's not from some sugar water company.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
RobW wrote:
henzerani wrote:
I think there's a place for a decent dryslope set up. It would need to have the jumps like Sheffield and the length for a decent ski (which even the fridges can't manage).
Decent length dryslopes do exist. Hillend/Midlothian (Edinburgh) has a 450m slope.
[PEDANT ON]Hillend actually has 2 slopes of a similar length. The original slope (which has the steepest sections) and a newer slope that was opened about 3 years ago that joined up to the original Tow Slope (as it is known). There is also a jump slope and there was another freestyle area with a rail and other bits but that has been allowed to decay and is now closed off.[/PEDANT OFF]
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
admin wrote:
I suspect people nicked the snowflex to make kickers in their gardens.
admin wrote:
Actually, I hear Kendal is 'growing'... suspicious?
We are a purely voluntary organisation. The people who greet you in the lodge and take your money, hand out tokens and set up the equipment for you are all members who have volunteered, as are the ground staff, club officers and our highly-trained team of instructors.
All monies are ploughed back into the club facilities. We all do it because at whatever level of ability, we all love skiing. The club’s aim is to encourage anyone who wants to, to come and learn to ski.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@admin, they would have had to have dyed it as theirs seems to be a smokey grey. Oh . . . ah . . . maybe I've answered my own question!
@Gaza, So is my statement that they have a 450m slope correct or not? Henzerani was bemoaning the lack of length, which I intended to show was not an issue outdoors (but yes we'd all like a 10km slope ) Not quite sure why you are being a PEDANT.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
admin wrote:
Actually, I hear Kendal is 'growing'... suspicious?
@Gaza, So is my statement that they have a 450m slope correct or not? Henzerani was bemoaning the lack of length, which I intended to show was not an issue outdoors (but yes we'd all like a 10km slope ) Not quite sure why you are being a PEDANT.
Your statement is correct. I was being pedantic by pointing out there are actually 2 slopes of c.450m rather than singular inferred in your post by the use of "a" in "has a 450m"
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
@RobW, my faith is growing. If they can make those work there is hope for other businesses getting involved. I have 3 near me that are all about 100m.
I do find myself looking at the hills round here, working out the length and drop. My favourite at the moment is the hill just east of a little village near Winchester called Standon. I think they could cash in by building a dryslope and changing their name by one letter.
@philwig, I've only been to Milton Keynes, so I am basing my opinion on just one fridge when I agree with you. It was short, narrow and quite busy, but on the plus side, cold and snowy. I found it quite isolated. You need full kit in there but you bake if you go for a wee or a coffee. We went there on a mini "ski break" as they were doing a special price on day passes. So we were expecting to have a leisurely day of skiing with lots of breaks. But as it was a heated shopping mall it became huge palaver of kitting and de-kitting. I did, however, discover the joys of Airkixx.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@Gaza, that was based on an "a"! I'm impressed. I thought I was pedantic.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
Rossendale won the funding last year and hopefully work will start soon,
I remember when Sheffield first opened we used to make some trips over there and even though Yorkshire no passport control to hassle you
Was not a bad slope even in the early days, just the so called rabbit warren runs that where useless way too narrow and not steep enough to ski them. The main slope was fine and a nice change of scenery from Rossendale.
Would love to see Sport England dig into their pockets and fund a community run slope there.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
I sent a mail to the group purporting to be trying to get it up and running, looking to see how we might help but no-one replied
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
@admin, Yes but they for some strange reason did not want it renamed "Snowhead-Sheffield"
Strange bunch but hopefully they will see the error of their ways and embrace the Snowhead
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
Real shame. I spent happy hours there. Great video.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
In other news, the dry slope at Welwyn Garden City is under thread from developers who want to build on the land which is currently owned by the council.
News Article here...
...and the Petition to save Gosling Sports park is here...
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
I read about that, it's a shame if it goes, didn't know there was a petition, I've signed it
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
henzerani wrote:
I think there's a place for a decent dryslope set up. It would need to have the jumps like Sheffield and the length for a decent ski (which even the fridges can't manage). And unlike some lucky snowHeads I don't have a place in the Alps or the opportunity for multiple trips, but I can get to and afford the local dryslopes. It's just that they are a little lacking. If they could offer a bit more I would rather go there than ride a bike or run on a treadmill.
Yes, I completely agree - I think there is definitely a place for dry slopes. With the advent of the indoor fridge, they need to evolve to ensure they differentiate themselves from the fridges. The first way is through longer slopes which (with the cooling costs involved) is much harder for fridges. They also need to embrace the biggest growth area, which is the park element.... jumps, half pipe, maybe even ski cross?
Plus they need to be better managed and looked after - Bracknell looks really tatty these days, and the surface isn't even that old! This place in the US seems to have a really nice set up, it could work well in the UK with the right amount of funding, right focus and a lot of tlc.
Great vid and yes dryslopes over here need to look at stuff like this for the way forward. I still have brochures for Astro Gelande? which show numerous slopes in Japan back in the late 80's early 90's and they where still way ahead of dryslopes over here now.
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Interestingly, I only counted 15 shots of skis in that film, everything else was a board! Not that I intended to count, but it got half way through and I realised I'd only seen 2 skiers, so then I started counting out of curiousity.
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
. Very sadly I can't see dry slopes lasting forever. Its nice to see some hanging in there and its a testament to those who manage them.
