 Poster: A snowHead
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Megamum, Spyderman, thousands of bars up and down the country manage it. It cannot be that hard 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Dwarf Vader, I hope it isn't too. There are quite a few of us there who like a decent pint. There's a great pub just down the road if not.
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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, nice to know, whats it called ?
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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thanks, that will get a look in over the 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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Dwarf Vader, Food is good, downstairs for Bar food, upstairs for more Restaurant Fare.
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Spyderman, I imagine they have a deal with a brewery to supply their alochol, so may be somewhat limited by them?
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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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| Boredsurfing wrote: |
beanie1, If they have a deal then it's not a very good one. Perhaps they should stick to what they know best ie Running a snowdome, and get some proffesionals in to run the food and drink  |
Bourne Leisure, the company behind The Snow Centre, seem to have quite a lot of experience of running things in the food, drink and leisure industry.
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rob@rar,
I didn't know that, whats the name of the nearby pub that Spyderman mentioned?
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads  on Wed 6-05-09 8:50; edited 1 time in total
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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Spdyerman that nearby pub sounds like it is going to have a huge increase in trade once the snow centre is open.
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As rob says, the Bar at Hemel is very pleasant, comfortable, great views over the slope, Guinness is good. I would like a Cask Beer to be offered though. The food I haven't tried yet, but will for sure. The menu looks good. Staff are pleasant and efficient.
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You know it makes sense.
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| Boredsurfing wrote: |
Spdyerman that nearby pub sounds like it is going to have a huge increase in trade once the snow centre is open. |
I think you're doing the Bar a disservice by suggesting that. It really is a nice place to be. Having a great pub nearby can only be a good thing to keep standards high and any feedback as to improvements taken on board and acted 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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Poster: A snowHead
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Boredsurfing, I spotted someone from their (BL's) senior management there on Saturday, in Hemel uniform and speaking to customers. So hopefully they will be very hands on and take constructive criticism on board.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Boredsurfing, don't they also operate the Warner hotels such as Bodelwyddan Castle, Alvaston Hall, Thoresby Hall & Spa, etc? I'd guess those places target a different demographic than Haven Holidays?
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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, Coming in the Top 20 of the best companies to work for is a huge accolade to any company but even more impressive in a UK wide company in the service industry.
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monster77
monster77
Guest
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I too would like to see a decent beer available, but I also know that for somewhere like the Edge, only supplying Keg beer is the easiest option. You would need to get experienced staff in to look after real beer properly, it is too easy to ruin a whole barrel. The Edge bar seems to do exactly what is needed for it to function in its location. I have only been in 3 times but it seems to be doing OK, it has been busy with people eating & drinking and seeming happy with the service..
looks like the Guinness is going to sell well though. 
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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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rob@rar, Indeed they have certainly matured as a company from their days in caravan parks on the coast and Butlins holiday camps.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| beanie1 wrote: |
| Boredsurfing, I spotted someone from their (BL's) senior management there on Saturday, in Hemel uniform and speaking to customers. So hopefully they will be very hands on and take constructive criticism on board. |
I too met the BL senior management person at Hemel. She seemed really pleasant, totally committed to the project and really switched on to customer service and to provide an excellent experience for both the customer and the staff.
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It would be nice to have the webcam back on their website, ideally indoors and facing the slope...
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| Spyderman wrote: |
| roga wrote: |
| Don't worry overly, the food isn't bad as such just not up to the excellence of everything else I'd say! |
We had a meeting last week with the head of catering, she was quite insistent to receive feedback, good or bad. If things aren't said, they won't improve. people just won't return. |
I agree, that's why I flagged it up as pretty much the only 'major' issue as I saw it.
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| To me 'OK' isn't good enough, but that's just how I work. |
Again, agreed - I think at say Tamworth you kind of put up with catering that's not that great (actually it's a bit 1970s school meals which is good or bad depending on your POV and they do have starbucks as an alternative) but at Hemel everything else is so top notch that it's rather a disappointment.
| Spyderman wrote: |
| Boredsurfing, It's in house, with Costa Coffee franchise for hot drinks. I haven't sampled the food yet, but the staff seem really on the ball and menu looks pretty good. |
Yes, the staff were great and the menu promises good things ... which makes it even more obvious when the food doesn't live up to that promise ... could have been early shakedown problems though and the food may well be great now, I'll certainly give it another go next time I'm there
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| Decent cask Beer would be a bonus. |
Totally agree there too and if you want a 'real' mountain beer can I recommend Cairngorm Brewery beer - gorgeous stuff (and they've won a lot of awards too)
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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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Thanks for the snow play area pictures. Going to put it to the test with a 3 year old this afternoon!
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angel, and...?
Hoping to take my 3 year old in a few weeks time... so interested in how you got on!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Hmm website booking needs some work - apparently performance coaching sessions are offered but there are no clues how to select them unless they've changed namefrom the confusing array of drop downs options on the booking screens. C- performance there. Just a suggestion why not list when the sessions are available then click thru to select rather than shoehorning everything into a find a timeslot system?
Found - apparently a new snowsports discipline called "performance" not under "ski"  Maybe this is code for snowlerblade or Le Mono?
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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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fatbob, not very intuitive is it.
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You know it makes sense.
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skimottaret, the new website has now gone live.
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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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rob@rar, ok is see, perhaps now would be a good time to consolidate comments regarding the website on the other thread.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Richie_S wrote: |
angel, and...?
Hoping to take my 3 year old in a few weeks time... so interested in how you got on! |
Took my 3 yr old niece who was fascinated by the fact it could snow indoors. Was a little disappointed in the play area as the snow in the fenced off area was quite hard and icy, resulting in several tumbles and a few tears. Certainly no option to create a snowman or even throw a few snowballs. It needs some improvement but that may be in their planning - will be contacting snow centre with some comments.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Thanks for responding angel, that doesn't sound too encouraging. But I guess, the kids area might well be one of the last things on the agenda to 'get right' ...
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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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Hello, A friend and I are planning a visit to the Snow Centre on the 21st of May for some recreational slope time and have some questions that other forum users may be able to answer regarding prices and time on the slope.
Basically we would like to book 4 hours off-peak slope time (taking advantage of the competitive all in price of £80 for 2 people) but ideally would like it two 2 hour slots as we will be driving up from south Somerset and back in the same day and we think that 4 continuous hours will be too much. Having phoned the booking number and spoken to a representative it sounds as if this is not allowed and we would have to book two 2 hour sessions at an all in cost of £114. The phone line was terrible quality and it was difficult to fully hear the explanation, but I was told that I could book one 4 hour session and use the facilities as and when but that this would come out of the slope time. I have also tried emailing with our requirements but I've had no response.
Can anyone confirm what the situation is, or share their experiences of booking slope time. The thought of a 2 hour drive there and a 2 hour drive back sandwiching 4 hours continuous skiing isn't that appealing, but we feel that in order to maximise our return for the drive 4 hours in a couple sessions would be best.
Thanks in advance, Nick
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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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n1ckster, welcome to snowHeads.
Have to confess that I think 4 hours recreational time is a bit much. I think you'd be a bit bored unless you had a clear focus for what you would do with all that time. Booking four hours and taking 45 minutes off in the middle for a bite to eat and a rest in the cafe overlooking the slope would be OK I guess. Alternatively, look at this this thread for an alternative, and cheaper, way to ski for four hours with a few a bit of tuition thrown in.
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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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So, back this evening from MY first session at Hemel... Went to the 'Freestyle' session 9 til 10 - there is a Freestyle ticket at £27 for 2 hours 9 til 11, but i booked my slot before that was available so paid £22 for an hour. This was fine, but i would have happily stayed for longer, as i was just starting to relax a little on the mid-sized kicker they'd built. Will definately do the long slot next time.
There is definately value to going to an indoor slope to practise boxes/rails/jumps as the you only need a short slope to do it. Previous times i've been to MK it's just been the normal slope layout, and frankly it gets a little dull after a couple of runs .... but with some obstacles in the way, wahoo!
Snow was good. The whole place all very nice. Not as big as I thought it might be, but certainly ok.
I'd heard poor comments from others on snowheads about the food. I had a pizza (Salami, Pepper, Sun Dried Tomato - this being my selection of 3 items from a list of 10 or so!) - and it was very good. The rest of the menu look fine also.
Generally, very pleased that it is less than a 15 minute drive from home!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Oh, I should add...
One problem we had was the rope tow.
It kept stopping and slowing due to the number of people on it - this was less to do with the tow and more to do with the dumbass kids who kept piling on to it even when it was evidently over capacity!
I saw a 'Slope Patrol' person mention a few times about leaving space between people on the tow, but there was no person there permanently to enforce this -
I think they should post up a dirty great big sign that says "Please leave at least 3m between persons on the tow" or "Do not get on to the tow if there are already 8 people on it" - or something similar. It would benefit all.... a few moments waiting at the bottom would mean the tow actually took you all the way to the top!
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Another little review
Contrary as ever, I ducked out of the Saturday bash, and went yesterday instead (I have to remain at least 160 metres away from Chemmy Alcott at all times, due to a restraining order).
It's a really good place, I've been to both MK and Landgraaf before and Hemel has easily the best snow, plus everything feels all nice and shiny and clean and well looked after. Early days though, and I'd be interested to see how things pan out once the facilities have been used by a million disrespectful teenagers and what have you.
Obviously it can't compete with Landgraaf for sheer enormity, but to my mind it felt a tad smaller than MK. This might be a matter of perception rather than one of scale as when I was at MK I was pretty hopeless and now I'm a fair bit better, so maybe that's why it felt more limiting. I don't know. It did feel crowded though.
The Slope Patrol people seemed very attentive and helpful and friendly, which was a STARK contrast to the pissy jobsworths at Milton. Well done, Slope Patrol! On the (slightly) other hand, there was a generally low standard of slope users in evidence, and one or two of them might have benefited from a quiet word in their shell-likes. e.g. 'please stop straight lining down the middle of the slope and crashing into people'. Not a big criticism that though, I'd rather that than the MK nazis.
Uplift. Hmm. Are those second-hand pomas? They're not very good. The one on the left as you look up the slope kept stopping, and a couple of times the liftie looked like he couldn't get it going again, leading to a bit of a delay. And the one on the right had a nasty stop, yank, stop, yank rhythm about it - not much fun. They both have an unpleasantly small disembarkation area as well with a deepish and quite narrow channel carved in the snow. I saw a few silly pile ups in these areas due to people getting stuck.
REALLY impressed by the centre's unwillingness to rape money out of your pockets. I was expecting a fiver for parking, a non-refundable couple of quid for the privilege of using a locker, etc. Nope. All free. Even the drinks machines were set to vend at almost-reasonable prices. That's highly laudable.
Rental gear was so-so, although it always is - especially snowboards. It's not been open long, but even so the bindings on my board had a bit smashed off them. God knows what they'll be like this time next year unless they spend a bit of time and money maintaining them. Maybe a £5 deposit and an equipment inspection to discourage rough-housing? Also: the 9 year old boy who gave me my board and boots didn't even ask which way round I ride, and just handed me a board set up the wrong way. That's poor. Not as poor as Landgraaf not fiddling with the DINs on skis, which is downright dangerous, but still poor.
I didn't have the pleasure of sampling the delights of the cafe/bar but sig. other did as she wasn't accompanying me on the slope on this occasion, and she said it was quite nice and - again - priced sensibly. Nice viewing area though, I could tell that much.
Overall it's a good place. Miles better than MK, nowhere near as good as Langraaf. It did it's job for me though (I can now, sort of, incompetently ride switch - yahooo!). And I'll probably go again. Plus the Snow & Rock has a ludicrous sale on at the moment, and ended up being worth the petrol there (from Brighton) just to buy a single jumper from there, such was the discount. So that was a nice bonus.
+ve
Awesome snow
Lovely facilities
Top quality staff
No sense of being robbed by 'extras' that are wholly necessary
Good branch of S&R for apres retail therapy.
-ve
I bit on the titchy side
Possible worries about the gear and servicing side of the operation
Annoying lifts for various reasons
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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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I thought the pomas were good. The
| Quote: |
| nasty stop, yank, stop, yank rhythm |
seems to be brought about by the tension in the new springs. Perhaps the tension needs slacking off or increasing. The spring is there to ease the point when the lift engages ones butt. In La Rosier the springs are shot and the cushioning effect is almost zero. The opposite seems to be happening at Hemel in that the spring is partly engaged all the way up the slope and occaissionaly bottoms out, giving a jolt. I actually found this quite pleasurable
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FAQ
My first impression at the bar was not good, a long wait (one person busy cleaning the coffee machine another stacking glasses whilst ignoring the customers)and then no ice left, but a change of shift (?) seemed to bring fresh faces and far better friendlier service.
