 Poster: A snowHead
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Resort Review:
Resort: Another World
Country: England
Domain: none
Author: NBT
Date: New year's day, 2010
Our holiday: Day trip to experience lift served real snow skiing in the uk - a proper "mini-break"!
Website : http://www.mountainboarding.co.uk/ski/index.htm
Basics : Another world is about 5 miles north of Halifax on the Keighley road, just near Ogden Water. It's about a 1 hour transfer from Manchester 
Lift system : 2 * britonlift portable rope tows. These are currently configured with one on the main slope, and one at the far beginner field, although they can be moved as necessary
The terrain : Not as steep as I would have liked, although great for getting the turns in. The rope tows are about 300 yards long, so you're not going to get a huge distance in. However there is a real variety and since Another World operates primarily as a mountain boarding centre in warmer months, there is a variety of jumps and a 4-cross style course with a hardcore surface that lends itself well to skiing.
The snow : We struck it lucky, with a decent base covered by an inch or two of honest to goodness fresh light fluffy powder! This held up well, with pockets of freshies being available as late as 3pm which is amazing in such a compact area. The lift paths struggled a little with the relatively heavy usage but they were refreshed through the day to stop them being run through to the grass. Andy the owner even brought out the piste basher to give a better surface in the beginner field when it was requested!
Off-piste : There is tree skiing available, although Andy the owner freely points out that the trees are now so big they hold the snow a little too well so you may find the cover patchy! There is the opportunity for free skiing within the ski domain
The resort : The farm is easily accessible as the main road on our visit was prefectly clear, with the 200 yard access road bing snow covered but driveable without snow chains
Food : Andy does a wonderful hot chocolate and other hot drinks. You can also buy bottle of pop or sweets such as Mars and double deckers. For anything more filling you would be recommended to bring a packed lunch, as we did 
Accommodation : n/a, day trip.
Costs: £10 for a day's skiing is almost half the price of even the dry slope, never mind the indoor ski places!
Conclusion: Well worth a visit if you are within striking distance and the snow cover is good. Be prepared for sore hands though as grasping the rope tow is hard work after a while!
Trip Report:
So, we'd been desperate to ski the snow since before Christmas. However, as I was stuck in an office until Christmas Eve, we didn't get the chance, as the snow had melted by the time we'd finished the turkey risotto on boxing day. When we heard about Another world a plan was hatched
We got up fairly early for the holidays, being out of bed before 8am and breakfast eaten before 9. We called to check conditions and got the answerphone, but Andy the owner was following our thread on Snowheads and popped up to give us an on the spot report that gave us the green light to go! Skis and boots in the car, packed lunch, ski gear, off we went
We were a little sceptical on the journey over - although a few flakes were falling as we left home (to the point of skidding the car at one point!), the prevailing scene was one of greenery rather than snow. As we climbed the M62 into the Pennines though, things changed
And as we reached Another World, things got better
Traffic is obviously a problem, don't want people losing control and mowing down pedestrians!
The "compact" resort base
and a better look at the facilities and patrons
It was cold when we arrived - -2 centigrade according to the car thermometer. Wind was pretty nippy, so we got ourselves well kitted out
Getting the lift up
And getting in the first turns!
and moving over to the unpisted section to get some fresh tracks
The lift facilities are state of the art!
and the scenery is just great
Before leaving, there was one line I'd been eyeing that I just had to ride. Given that I may not ski again this season, I decide to chance the risk of injury and go for the Ogden Cliff drop. Warning, this video may not be suitable for the faint-hearted. You should not attempt stunts beyond your capabilities unless you are a trained professional, an idiot, drunk, or all 3.
Overall, we had a great day and if time / conditions and money permit, we shall certainly return. I have just finished the traditional post-skiing meal of beans on toast washed down with a pint of Marston's Pedigree. Burp.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Excellent!
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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?
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Yes, great stuff.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Brilliant post --- and pictures. Thanks!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I'm kicking myself that I couldn't get a pass out today. How would you rate it compared to Castleford in terms of length of slope? It looks a lot wider.
And a secondary question - how tame was the rope tow, would my 8 yr old cope OK with it do you think .. she copes with pomas OK
Do you think to snow will hold out to Sunday?
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stevew, FAR FAR better than Castleford! Not so steep, but tons wider than Cas with a choice of 3 different linked areas, and probably similar length slopes.
The two rope tows were being managed fine by a couple of quite young girls - am sure the 8 year old would be fine. The weather forecast suggests it will hold perhaps for another week or so. Ring Andy before setting out though. His number is on their website http://www.mountainboarding.co.uk/ski/index.htm
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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.
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Excellent, I want a ropw tow!!!!!!!
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nbt, Butterfly, Good stuff - They could have done with a few more paying customers by the look of it. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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easiski, it was quiet (but we weren't complaining!) but yes, they could do with more customers. Apparently a few of those there had found out about it through Google, which had pointed them to the SH thread.
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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.
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If I was within 100 miles, I'd be there tomorrow. This guy deserves alot of business, what a fantastic set up!!
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Great pictures from both, and nice to see evidence of an English ski resort! Though living down south myself this one doesn't come on my radar so its still just the trips abroad as an option for me 
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You know it makes sense.
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Just wondering if our Coastguard cliff winch could double up as a rope tow 
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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nbt, Butterfly, that is fantastic! I will be paying a visit!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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We had a cracking day! Not skiied castleford, but the slope is only about half the length of the Chill Factor-e slope. Things did get busier as the day went on, we had a quick count on fingers and toes and by our reckoning around 25 to 30 people came and went before while we were there (11.45 till 3.45, roughly). Andy did say that one of his major problems was getting people to believe that they were open for skiing, as believe me there wasn't much snow in halifax!
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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?
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Inspirational! 
193 miles 3 hours 28 mins hmmm...
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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nbt,
Could he not try a few slots on local radio?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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johnboy, he has been trying to get in touch with local media to see if they'll do interviews but I think paid advertising might be a stretch too far. Still, he's a registered snowhead now, he might read this and take inspiration....
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Looks like a great little place. Have any of you guys skied in the north pennines or the lake district before? There are quote a few club fields up there. Raise (lakes) probably has the skiing with the best gradient and is the highest being off to one side of Helvellyn, but it is a bit of a walk to get to (about 1 hour uphill). Yad Moss in the pennines has less of a gradient (mainly green/blue), but the poma is a 3 minute walk from the road. Have had many great days skiing at both places and they have an atmosphere which is nothing like a normal commercial large scale ski resort.
http://www.yadmoss.co.uk/snowreport.php
http://www.ldscsnowski.co.uk/
Both have webcams so you can check out what the snow level is like.
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skir67, not been to either of those places - would love to but both are a fair way and I hate driving, so when we found this place closer to home I couldn't pass up the chance
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Yeah the drive isn't the best (about 2hrs plus for me to the lakes a bit more to the north pennines) but they are worth a visit and conditions look great at the mo. I'm only holding off as I'm hoping to get to scotland for a day or two next week. Yad Moss you can just pay for a day pass (£10 I think maybe 12?). Raise is a bit different as owing to their insurance companys insistence anyone skiing there has to be a member. So you join and buy a day pass, its still cheaper than a couple of hours in your local fridge though.
Raise I like the best as because you have to walk to the members hut and ski tow, its never that busy, everyone is very friendly and the place kind of feels what I imagine the early days of skiing were like where you had to walk up for each run then ski down. I've only ever been able to ski down as far as the top of the old mine chimney when descending back to the car park before, though at the moment they must be able to nearly get back to the car park with some careful route finding.
Also the descent to Red Tarn off the flank of Helvellyn must be a goer at the moment (its respectably steep).
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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.
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skir67, They're too far for me for a day trip. This was 1.5hrs so easily do-able.
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Looks fantastic. Great pictures. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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skir67, My pals went ski touring on Helvellyn on Sunday just gone, the photos look great
| Quote: |
| The final descent was amazing - light, cold snow for about a 3000m long (not vertical!) descent as the sun was setting. |
I was a tad jealous, but now I've got my ski fix
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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.
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Yeah, need to get back up there, the skiing makes the drive worth it for me. But Scotland (hopefully) first.
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Snowing up here (other side of the hill to Another World) today so he should have some fresh powder too
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You know it makes sense.
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CURSES!!
Just back from a new year trip and find I've missed a play out in my own backyard
If anyones thinking about it - I'm pretty sure you could find powder there today; it's been coming down in buckets.
It's a bit embarrasing that I used to live about two miles away and I've never been. In fairness we did used to buy our christmas trees there though.
I think it would be graet to get up there with the kids. I may nip up tomorrow if this weather holds out.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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nbt, nice report - sounds like a fun place..
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Poster: A snowHead
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Come and get it. Conditions here at Another World don't get much better than this. 2" off fressh powdery snow and overnight temps of -6, blue sky, even got an award winning chef from our local hostelry coming to show us how to make hot chocolate.nbt,
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Super!! I'll just chow on some brekkie and I'll be on my way!
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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?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Michelle, only 23 miles for me! Never knew it existed!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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magic_hat, have a lovely day!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Michelle, 4hr 56? Have you got a lead foot, or are you planning to get the pilot to drop you at 20,000ft and parachute down?
magic_hat, have a good day - let's hear your feedback on your return
andy smith, If you want to use any of those photos please feel free, let me know if you want bigger versions but what's up there should be fine for a website
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After having decided to go in the afternoon, whilst having my morning cycle this morning decided on a change of plan (it was b.freezing and a little to icy for my liking). So a quick change, shower and grab all the gear, me and Hannah set off at just gone 10:20. 30 minutes later we're there, it's sunny and lots of snow compared to home.
We hired ski's for Hannah for 2 hours, but that was plenty time and well before it started getting busy. Overall snow conditions were very good, still a few little bits of powder but in general nice grippy snow. Hannah loved all the jumps and rollers after getting the hang of the rope tows. Runs aren't long but was a lot more satisfying than Castleford especially in the sun and with great views. Plenty of lines to take and lots of good humored folk around.
I tried the woods run to the right of the main tow once after seeing some people do it however it was a little interesting with deep snow on long grass and I got caught in a bunch of grass that took a while to extricate myself from!
We sat down for our lunch in the sun before going and briefly met magic_hat who seemed to be having a good time and seemed happy to chat with Hannah for a while (thanks) whilst I sorted all our gear out.
Would I go back .. absolutely with good snow enough to keep most happy for a day, thanks Andy and your team!
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| nbt wrote: |
Michelle, 4hr 56? Have you got a lead foot, or are you planning to get the pilot to drop you at 20,000ft and parachute down?
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That's wot google maps said
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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.
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nbt,
Sounds like you have uncovered a real gem here
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johnboy, looks like andy smith might be smiling today, I know a couple of folks from Singletrackworld have been over, as have friends who saw my facebook post - I should charge home for my PR services!
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FAQ
Hasn't the flying club got access to a glider launch? That could do the job, if maybe a bit enthusiastically 
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That may just be a tad too far 