 Poster: A snowHead
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beanie1, seems like rec skiing at CF is a bit better value, hopefully will drive prices down at MK..
Lesson costs seem about the same to me. ski in a day each £150 with group and privates around the same but I like CF's use of 2 hour blocks. MK is either 1 or 3 which is either too short or too long....
Spyderman, I know you have an axe to grind with MK but not everyone thinks it is total rubbish.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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skimottaret, I think MK could be pretty good if it was run properly, but sadly it isn't. I think it's popularity will severely dwindle once Hemel is open. Who is going to drive another 30 minutes from London for an inferior experience. It will then be up to them to raise there standards or suffer the consequences. Hemel has to be good because it is just a ski slope, with the full backing of BASI. MK is a shopping centre and Cinema, that happens to have a ski slope on top.
People don't think it's rubbish because as yet there is nothing locally to compare it to. We'll see. Where will you want to ski?
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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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| Spyderman wrote: |
alex_heney, Chill was in excess of 30m, MK was 67m. The costs at Hemel went up from the original 12m, because now the whole of the lower part of the Hill is to be dug out to form an underground car park, the building now has to have a Grass Roof(a council condition) plus the Hill was formed from the spoils of the M1 widening together with a tip, many years ago, so a lot of work on the buildings foundations has to be done.
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OK, it looks like they are having to do a lot more than one might have expected with an existing hill.
I didn't know about either the underground car park or the grass roof. It seems the council are being very picky, as even a "normal" roof would surely not have been as obtrusive as the acres of white dendix there now.
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alex_heney, Considering it's sited next to Jarman Park Leisure Centre, which is a Cinema, Bowling, Swimming, Night Club affair, that's painted Pink, Turquoise & Blue, yes they're being very picky.
There is light pollution from the floodlights, noise from the lifts, plus white Dendix. I think the locals will be much better off, although some of them don't think so. 
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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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At Xscape, Snozone who run the snow slope and ski school are just a tenant of a big corporate landlord. At CFe (and Hemel?) the snow and ski school is run by an owner occupier who therefore have a significant motivation to make the place a success. This has got to make a difference. It was a major selling point for the retail and restaurant tenants when I was letting the shops at CFe. The landlord is not sat in London collecting the rent, but there on the ground with the tenants, working hard to make it successful.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Spyderman, I think the opening of CF has already given MK (and the other Snowzones) a wake up call. They have in the last few months, invested in a new piste basher, the bar and cafe have been completely remodelled, a new rope tow is going in and they have added more admin staff to allow the duty managers to spend more time on slope and with customers. All positives in my book.
I am sure once it is built, Hemel will benefit from all the lessons learned in ski slope design and be a great ski destination. But that is a long time away so until Hemel is open for business, why bash MK so much. MK's customer base isnt all from London judging by the accents and once they have a choice people will work out for themselves which they prefer. Hemels "skiing only" approach works for me but could be seen as dull for families who want to have a day out, with skiing just one element...
Looking at the various reports of  "bashes" at MK everyone seemed to have a good time, I for one completely enjoyed the recent telemark sessions... It isnt all doom and gloom.
edited to add all snowzone centres that now have competition from the newer indoor slopes
Last edited by You'll need to Register first of course. on Thu 22-11-07 22:49; edited 1 time in total
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skimottaret, We had a good time at the 'Bashes' because we were there to have a good time irrespective, the skiing was secondary, we spend more time in the Restaurant than on the slope.
I was born in London, work in London and I can't tell if someone lives in London from their accent, it's hard enough telling what language someone is speaking in London, it is so multi-cultural. I'm sure that a lot of the MK custom is from London.
I'm glad that the wake up call has been felt, it's a shame that they have been doing so little in the way of customer sevice up to now.
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skimottaret, well 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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| beanie1 wrote: |
| At Xscape, Snozone who run the snow slope and ski school are just a tenant of a big corporate landlord. At CFe (and Hemel?) the snow and ski school is run by an owner occupier who therefore have a significant motivation to make the place a success. This has got to make a difference. It was a major selling point for the retail and restaurant tenants when I was letting the shops at CFe. The landlord is not sat in London collecting the rent, but there on the ground with the tenants, working hard to make it successful. |
I think you've got it in one. Hemel is an owner occupier also.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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skimottaret,
Maybe that's just because you're such an enthusiastic teacher! 
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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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Spyderman,
When is the scheduled completion?
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You know it makes sense.
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beanie1 I was teaching last Saturday from 9 through to 6, which lessons were you teaching? I had kids club 9-11 and all day beginners from 11 on.
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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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skir67,
I did kids club 9.30 - 11 (was drafted in at last minute as it was overbooked so there were too many people in one of the groups). Then I did taster lessons for rest of day.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Just come back from Chill Facor e. The slope was closed all day due to technical problems. Suggest you phone to ckeck if open before you travel. Also please note: there are only lockers that will take boot bags and nothing bigger. If you take skis or boards there is nowhere secure to leave them. Had a moan to the management and they said that they would look into it!! 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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The slope has been closed due to problems with the snow (i.e. there’s still not enough of it yet!) Takes a while to build up the correct base, and it got a bit thin due to all the jumps that were built for the opening party freestyle display last week. Shouldn’t be an ongoing problem.
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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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| beanie1 wrote: |
Spyderman,
When is the scheduled completion? |
Start Date 3rd March 2008, completion Feb 2009
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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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beanie1, AFAIAA Hemel will run for anything up to a month for a shakedown period before it goes live to paying customers, in order to iron out any teething problems.
How long was Chill FactorE's shakedown period?
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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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Spyderman,
Prior to PC they had a “friends and family” trial weekend where everyone invited skied / tubed / had lessons for free and food was half price. The following week they quietly opened to the paying public – was meant to be members and invited guests but I believe quite a few people blagged their way on. It was still pretty quiet though. Then on 16th Nov they opened fully (this was the date publicised in TV and radio ads) and it was manic all weekend!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| JP wrote: |
| Just come back from Chill Facor e. The slope was closed all day due to technical problems. Suggest you phone to ckeck if open before you travel. Also please note: there are only lockers that will take boot bags and nothing bigger. If you take skis or boards there is nowhere secure to leave them. Had a moan to the management and they said that they would look into it!! |
fantastic NOT!
i wasted a whole day today with their total lack or organising or understanding, you'll be lucky to find a manager they all seem to be in an ivory tower somewhere leaving the minions to sort out their problems.
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Royal,
Sorry to hear that. What was the problem (apart from turning up to find the slope closed, which unfortunately was unavoidable for them)?
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problems;
Website had not mentioned any closures.
No email sent to people who had registered for updates like myself.
Car park full even when there's no skiing. (thats going to be a big problem in the future)
No car park spaces for mother and baby which makes getting a car seat out without bashing the car next door very difficult.
A tatty piece of paper to inform of the closure.
No manager on hand with any details.
Staff members do not know what the problem is either and could not give any ETA of it being opened.
I accept there are going to be teething problems with any new development but they dont seem to have prepared themselves enough for the off, the website wasnt even working properly a week before opening.
They need a kick up the back bottom regarding customer service when people have travelled from miles around to find the place closed and dont even think about offering some kind of apology or a discounted next visit etc.
I still dont know why the slope was closed from 6 pm the previous night or when it will reopen.
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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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skimottaret, CFe competes much more with Castleford than MK. I don't have a feel for the experience at Castleford for someone paying for lessons or recreational sessions, but the snow was in good condition the last time I went and the staff know what they are doing.
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In fairness, the staff that I spoke to were apologetic and courtious. Those that had pre-booked were given a refund plus a free ski on their next visit. I went on spec and was a bit miffed that I wasn't offered some sort of compensation. I agree that the website is poor and without the ability to book online at this time it shows lack of forethought. I too have "registered" for email updates but have not received any. I am going to give it another go tomorrow but I shall phone first to make sure that it is open. Watch this space.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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beanie1 right! I know who you are now. You took 1 half of the group I originally had
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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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| JP wrote: |
| Also please note: there are only lockers that will take boot bags and nothing bigger. |
Those are the ones against the wall. If you look behind you there are bigger lockers (I think Cas is same with two sizes) probably double the size that will take much more. Unlike Cas, you get your quid back too, so no need to take the 20cent coins...
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You know it makes sense.
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is the slope any bigger than cas ?
It certainly did look much bigger from the balcony of that bar (which looks quite cool).
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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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Royal,
The slope was closed as the snow isn't yet deep enough, and the sheer volume of people in the ski box (body heat), and fact they moved snow around last week to build jumps and moguls for the opening demo night caused a few icy bare patches. It had to be closed for health and safety reasons to get the snow back up to depth. Agree this could have been better communicated - and this comment has been passed to those at the top!
The car park is a problem, unfortunately size was limited by planners. They are looking at solutions (overflow parking elsewhere on site etc). There is also a free shuttle bus that runs to and from the Trafford Centre and on to Stretford tram stop.
Sorry you felt customer service was poor and managers not around. Can promise you the managers (in fact the directors who own it) have been there every single day for the last couple of months - they try to get out and speak to as many guests as possible for their feedback and suggestions, unfortunately they can't get to speak to eveyone. All these comments are being taken on board.
Give it a few weeks to bed down, get over the inevitable teething problems then give it another go. And yes the slope is longer than Cas! Cas is 180m if you add their two slopes together, the main slope on it's own at CFe is 180m.
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Poster: A snowHead
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I'm off to CFe on Monday night, friend is having a board lesson and we're having a rec session. Where can you park if the car park is full then?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Scottland, nip across the roundabout and park in the JJB car park! Up to now they are aren't checking, or making any restrictions. Not sure how long that will continue though if people attending the soccer dome can't park either!
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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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Just come back from CFe. Had an enjoyable ski although there are still teething problems with the button lifts and the snow is not quite right. All said and done though I will be going back next week. To add to my earlier point, there is an urgent need for somewhere secure to leave skis whilst you shop or eat. One of the coffee shops said that they have ordered a ski rack but this will not be lockable. 
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Fri 23-11-07 16:57; edited 1 time in total
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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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What an utter farce... I went over to Chillfactore this morning and joined the que to get in. After about half an hour we were told that there wasn't enough depth of snow and that the slope was closed. We left the que and 10 minutes later an announcement was made that they were open, so we joined the que again. After a further 20 minutes we were informed that the slope was closed after all. The oddest thing was that there were about 20 people already on the slope by this point.
Given that the snow is made on site and it is a controlled environment, surely they must have known last night that the slope would not have enough snow on it... I can't understand why they didn't post this information on their website or tell the people in their call centers. When I phoned to complain, they knew nothing about it and insisted they were open.... something is wrong somewhere. Poor management and poor communication.
I am expecting a call back from in the hope of getting some sort of explanation, but given the poor service and bad communication so far I don't expect to receive a call or an explanation.. Though I live in town and Chillfactore is only a 10 minute drive, I intend to continue using Castleford, at least they have some semblance of organisation. I feel for the others in the que who had traveled considerable distances to visit.
Thanks for wasting my time Chillfactor... you really should think about your communications and your customer service, you have already displeased at least two potential regular customers.
My advice... travel to Castleford or Rossendale (dry).
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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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mr_blue_sky What an utter farce... I went over to Chillfactore this morning and joined the que to get in. After about half an hour we were told that there wasn't enough depth of snow and that the slope was closed. We left the que and 10 minutes later an announcement was made that they were open, so we joined the que again. After a further 20 minutes we were informed that the slope was closed after all. The oddest thing was that there were about 20 people already on the slope by this point.
I am surprised at what you say. I arrived this morning at 09.55, queued for 15 mins paid and went straight on to the slope. There was a steady stream of people coming on after that. There was a 25 meter section at one side at the top of the slope that was off limits but the rest was OK. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Rivington ski are ment to be having a ski test night there tonight. Does anyone know if this is still on???
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| Quote: |
Rivington ski are ment to be having a ski test night there tonight. Does anyone know if this is still on???
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Woody911. As above; as far as I could tell when I left just after midday everything was open and running fine. If in doubt give them a ring.
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Went up to chill factor e on Friday afternoon for a nosey around... was fairly busy but looks quite impressive.
Anyone tried the early morning wednesday session? The 7:30 am start? Thinking of giving that a go as i reckon not many people will be in there that early!
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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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Just had exactly the same thought. Nearly went this morning but couldn't raise the teenager.
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Dragged a couple of friends over to CF last night. We booked on Friday for a 90 min session starting at 8pm, and the slope was closed early (again). Cue lots of irate punters (but very polite and helpful staff)... we've been given a voucher for a free session another time.
Fair play that they've had a few unforseen technical problems but a big thumbs down on the lack of communication. We could have been told when we booked that it was closing early (how can you book to include a time when the place will be shut) or even when we pitched up. They have screens everywhere advertising the capacity or lack of it for different activities, but nothing about closing it early.
One other issue that they also need to sort out is the length of time it takes to process people in getting kit hire sorted. We were there queuing up for skis at 7.40 for an 8pm session, but weren't on the slope until almost 8.15.
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FAQ
The Chilli’s cafe still didn't have any coffee available on Saturday, they have the machine now, but it's not connected to the water supply! If that was my place I'd have bought some instant, boiled a kettle and offered it half price! All the staff could do was apologise and agree how ridiculous the situation was. It's a shame the gremlins weren't sorted before the public arrived. I guess they will in time, but they've had long enough to prepare. 
