A couple of months ago, we tried out a centre that I never knew about, sort of equidistant between Gatwick and Brighton, run by the parents of our daughter's friend.
It's been going a fair few years, though Covid did get in the way.
It's certainly takes some getting used to first time round maybe because I thought I knew how to ski
Below is not me!
But we witnessed beginners getting to grips with the basics very quickly.
Evidently, there are a few of these Revolving Carpets elsewhere in the UK. Has anyone else tried them?
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 3-11-25 14:31; edited 1 time in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Yup, did a taster once at the one in Fulham (now gone), much harder than I thought but promulgates good form. Im no expert but felt like I was starting all over again.
The kids had some lessons at Fulham and later the Chiswick one (still there) via school when in primary quite a few years ago and seemed to benefit from it.
But as always it will be very dependent on your instructor, some are only very basic BASI qualified. Like the one I asked at Fulham what were the DINs set to (you have to use their skis as the system can’t have ski wax getting into it as all water based) , he said normally for beginners/intermediates they are set at 7 , luckily for all concerned they were actually set at 4.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Mon 3-11-25 15:04; edited 1 time in total
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?
Would love it if they had their own Carv leaderboard! Humbling for several I suspect.
Learn not to fall, I didn’t enjoy the water lubed slope I tried here once, wet patches on the clothes after.
I too used the one in Fulham (pre covid), and had quite a nasty fall towards the end of the session, and did my shoulder in.
6 years on and my shoulder still isn't right.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
What @ster said about instruction - I spent several months finding my confidence on one of these at the beginning of my learning journey, and in retrospect can recognise that the instruction I needed wasn't available there. Nevertheless, imo they are very good if you can't access snow or outdoor artificial slopes.
Think I would give that a miss as sure I would end up in a heap off the side!
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I too had a fall trying out at Chelski the Fulham one.It just felt quite easy to do things wrong! Because there was no snow I wasn’t wearing insulated salopettes and it was quite a hard landing for sure. Even worse there was a video which caused some mirth among friends at the time am 100% a Hemel fan now!
After all it is free
After all it is free
I've not used it, but I often send my kids to "camp" for the occasional week in the summer holidays at the local one here in Dubai. It is definitely preferable to the indoor slope here for first timers IMO. More continuous reps with the bar at the front to hold onto and also the mirror in front of skier so they can see what they are doing too. Nice to be able to arrive in shorts, tee shirt and flip flops too.
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.
Total copout. No footage of the great @weathercam owning another medium of sport.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Did a session years somewhere off the M1ish. Hated it
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I tried the one in Reading years ago and didn't enjoy it.
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.
Obviously shows up one's own perceived technique, or lack of
Kids I saw using it were doing brilliantly.
But it can be a strange concept to get your head around, going uphill whilst in a snowplough?
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
I would love to give this a go. It looks like a perfect coaching tool.. (although probably not great just for recreational fun..). Getting proper feedback and being able to tweak technique in realtime sounds compelling. But wonder what the reality is like??
I am sure that they are much better now, but I remember having a go on one at Hillingdon Dry Slope in the 80s. Heat was a real problem --- all I can remember is repeated loud bangs when the overheated skis grabbed the surface, followed by the skier firmly hitting the mat...
Having said that, assuming that no longer happens - having a coach next to you and mirrors so you can see what you are doing in real time should be a great learning environment.
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Weathercam wrote:
But it can be a strange concept to get your head around, going uphill whilst in a snowplough?
It actually feels like you’re standing still, I think because you’re inside a room - like running on a treadmill.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Quote:
It's certainly takes some getting used to first time round maybe because I thought I knew how to ski
I've not tried one, but out of interest does it generate that centrifugal force in turn to force balance of your body in counterbalance to it ?
I'm more familiar with driving on a decent sim machine, with quite good mechanical feedback for the controls, but lacking significantly in whole body forces to bring a real experience. Worthwhile noting that in very advanced driving sim rigs (the like of F1 team) there's often a sickness problem/outcome, even for the experienced.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@ski3, if you look at the Carv video above (from 07:20 in), you can see she's having to work using her body and edges to counter the forces, and that video goes some way to show how it can be used.
Also, by the end, you can see her having to catch her breath, as it is a workout. Hence, you do have quite a few breaks.
For better skiers, they can increase the ramp angle and speed.
For intermediate skiers wanting to fine-tune their technique, carve etc then it's probably better than a fridge, and I could certainly see the potential and challenge for that, after 20 mins or so, but the likes of @Dave of the Marmottes, will find that way too much like hard work
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?
Yeah - 20 mins on a treadmill simulating skiing - don't think so.
Clearest illustration I've ever seen of the figure 8/infinity move in that Carv video so there might be something in it for those with the patience.
She's exceptionally fluid in using that surface too.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
There used to be one something like it in Edinburgh in one of the private gyms. It was fun and seemed safe as you wore a harness that stopped you falling over.
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.
I tried it. I quite liked it, but its nothing like skiing on snow. Good for specifics of technique though.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
There is one in South Wiltshire. Me and the family have used it quite a bit. As others have said. Much more unforgiving when technique is not quite right - it's quite 'grabby' on the skis if your edging isn't quite right. I like it as the instructor is there giving instant feedback, you have a massive mirror to see yourself, they also video you and send you clips if you ask. The projector is also a nice touch although I must admit I found it quite distracting....
FAQ
Poster: A snowHead
Yup, did a taster once at the one in Fulham (now gone), much harder than I thought but promulgates good form. Im no expert but felt like I was starting all over again.
, luckily for all concerned they were actually set at 4.
