 Poster: A snowHead
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Ok, ok, I accept artificial slopes aren’t the same as real mountain skiing, but one can only use the tools at their disposal!
So, question is: Has anyone here attended one of these Full Park Fridays events? They look like fun, from how The Snow Centre advertises them, with music and a “party” atmosphere. I’m tempted to pop along to one, despite them being on a Friday evening!
The kicker is I don’t have any freestyle experience. I do little jumps on bumps on the slopes, but freestyle is something I’m vaguely aspiring to (and everything else. Call me a Jack of all trades, master of none!). I’m also in my mid 40s, so not exactly a spring chicken, but alas, we cannot turn back the clock. I’d be looking at focussing on jumps, as I feel the rail would probably lead to painful injuries! 
So anyway, I was just wondering what people thought of these events and whether they’re worth a trip to? Especially for someone with little to no freestyle experience. I’m only an hour and a quarter from Hemel Hempstead, so it’s not an epic trip for me, but it would obviously take up my Friday evening.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Do they include lessons or are just a fun party atmosphere? I’d pay for a lesson or two before embarrassing / injuring myself in public on a Friday night.
OTOH you’re mid 40s, what else are you going to do on a Friday night? 
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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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Which snow centre? This is from a boarding perspective but...
If it's like the manchester one you'll be fine
Anyone can do a box and the small kickers are fine
Others might disagree but I don't think it's about lessons, mostly you just need to go for it once you've YouTubed it sufficiently (obviously don't start on rails  )
Just swerve the features you don't fancy and remember that people above you/on feature have priority so just check before you move
What helped me no end was the night I saw someone who looked crap but was doing some stuff I wasn't, so I thought if he can do that so can I - followed him and once you've done it once it's less intimidating!
Edit - also - commit. Once you're approaching 100% in, don't think I'll see how it feels as I'm on the run in, and I find it helpful to just focus on 1 thing eg 'keep weight forward' on boardslide
Disclaimer i take no responsibility for lost earnings or permanent disability
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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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@Cardo, sounds like you need to get yourself on a Stomp It camp!
I met Jens last winter, really nice guy.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| ja203 wrote: |
Which snow centre? This is from a boarding perspective but...
If it's like the manchester one you'll be fine
Anyone can do a box and the small kickers are fine
Others might disagree but I don't think it's about lessons, mostly you just need to go for it once you've YouTubed it sufficiently (obviously don't start on rails )
Just swerve the features you don't fancy and remember that people above you/on feature have priority so just check before you move
What helped me no end was the night I saw someone who looked crap but was doing some stuff I wasn't, so I thought if he can do that so can I - followed him and once you've done it once it's less intimidating!
Edit - also - commit. Once you're approaching 100% in, don't think I'll see how it feels as I'm on the run in, and I find it helpful to just focus on 1 thing eg 'keep weight forward' on boardslide
Disclaimer i take no responsibility for lost earnings or permanent disability |
The Hemel Hempstead one is an hour’ish away from me, so relatively local. Though I’d imagine it’s a similar atmosphere, so that’s encouraging. I did watch some of the Thursday antics via the webcam and there was certainly all sorts of skill levels on display. All good as long as it’s not just pros out on the Fridays!
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| swskier wrote: |
@Cardo, sounds like you need to get yourself on a Stomp It camp!
I met Jens last winter, really nice guy. |
I’d love to do a Stomp It camp. Need to work out how to swing the circa £3k cost for a week off skiing on my own past the missus!
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Not been to a Snow Centre freestlye night in a good while but used to be a proper regular, always a good vibe and friendly people who are willing to help out newer riders, the set ups have something for everyone.
Watch some tutorial videos before you go and just take it easy, no pressure to do anything you don't want to.
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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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| Cardo wrote: |
| swskier wrote: |
@Cardo, sounds like you need to get yourself on a Stomp It camp!
I met Jens last winter, really nice guy. |
I’d love to do a Stomp It camp. Need to work out how to swing the circa £3k cost for a week off skiing on my own past the missus! |
Pitch it as an investment.
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| OliC86 wrote: |
Not been to a Snow Centre freestlye night in a good while but used to be a proper regular, always a good vibe and friendly people who are willing to help out newer riders, the set ups have something for everyone.
Watch some tutorial videos before you go and just take it easy, no pressure to do anything you don't want to. |
Excellent, good to hear some first hand experience. There’s one on the 1st of May, I’m very tempted to pop along and give it a go.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| swskier wrote: |
| Pitch it as an investment. |
I think it may require some work. 
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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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Gosh, I did not quite understand the question title....
I thought the problem was the car park was full at the Hemel Fridge on Fridays..
I was going to suggest that it was because of Friday Prayers up the road.
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You know it makes sense.
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Junior Doddsie used to go sometimes when he lived in the UK, so I’ve observed it from the restaurant. There’s a big range of ability and ages and a few Hemel instructors around to give casual advice. If you’re a beginner you can stick to the small slope where they have lots of easier features and you can lap quickly to get lots of practice done.
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