 Poster: A snowHead
|
If you're a regular visitor at The Snow Centre or if you've just made the occasional visit during peak periods, just thought I'd report on the current snow conditions at Hemel Hempstead. Over the winter snow conditions on the main slope were often a bit challenging, with the snow breaking up most days forming an icy channel down the middle of the slope, and mounds of soft, sugary snow. To address this The Snow Centre team have made some significant changes to how they manage the snow, and for the last couple of months the quality of the snow on the main slope has been absolutely first class, as good as it ever has been!
Changes have included removing much more old snow than usual, changing the positions of the snow cannons so they operate at lower temperatures, changing the timetable for snow manufacture and grooming by the piste-basher, ensuring effective undersnow cooling and closing the slope during most of the day on Fridays to allow more time for the new snow to consolidate. This results in firm, grippy snow that doesn't breakup during the day, giving perfect training conditions for those working on skills development or a good surface for just blasting up and down for a few runs.
As is usual at this time of year, the main slope is often very quiet so this is the perfect time to develop your skills and make sure that you don't lose your "skiing legs" while we wait for the return of winter.
How busy? Sunday 19 July at 11.30am!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Looking good, nice have the whole slope to work with while it is so quiet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Looks an awful lot better than MK was this afternoon .Main slope was only 50% open as part fenced off for sledging, Most of the park bits were closed. The snow was quite discloured and at the top of the poma there was carpet and wood sticking through the surface.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Cheers @rob@rar, I saw your inside out email earlier and found it really interesting. I've always been put off Hemel by the quality of snow, which tends to be a real mess after the first hour or so of skiing. I went a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised at how well the snow was holding up, and it made the whole experience much nicer. In fact I'll be going back a lot more regularly now because of it. It's nice to understand some of the reasons behind the improvement. Thanks again 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
@rob@rar, preaching to the converted here 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
@Handy Turnip, the team at Hemel were very aware of the problem with the snow quality (we've discussed it with them a few times, as I'm sure have others) and they were determined to put it right. They've put a lot of effort in, trying various things, and they now seem to have found a much more effective way of managing their prime asset. Hopefully this will continue to be the case when they get back to the busy winter season, which I know they are determined to do.
@Hurtle,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
So the best conditions are on the upper slopes then? 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ