 Poster: A snowHead
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Hemel Ski Centre, just North of London, received planning permission on Thursday night to turn itself from a dry slope into an indoor snow centre. The plans had been knocked back in the past by the local council, primarily on the grounds that the aluminium hanger enclosing the slope would be an eyesore. This has been overcome by a plan to roof the new complex with grass!...
At around 7000 sqm, it will be by far the largest 'nature roof' in the UK. Far in excess of the ~2500sqm on the Adnams Brewery (pic) in Suffolk. Well, it's not actually grass but a combination of litchens and mosses to allow the building to blend with its surroundings.
Not only will this make it visually more appealing but substantially aid insulation of the new building, improving its environmental credentials. The roof is also a highly effective rain-fall collector and the prospect of using this in relation to snowmaking is being explored.
Hemel Ski Centre is hoping to make an announcment in Feb '07 about when work will start on converting the 180m plastic slope. The project is expected to take 12-14months to complete, so the target is to have it ready for the winter of 08/09.
http://www.hemeltoday.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=1932797&SectionID=841
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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This is bad news for MK XScape. Some of its Home Counties customers will migrate to Hemel.
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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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Then MK will have to up its service. It has pretty much a monopoly position at the mo with custom from the South.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Sorry - am I reading google maps correctly - it's saying that it's only 33 miles away from MK 
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Michelle, that would be about right.
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laundryman, can't they move it South of Heathrow 
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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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Michelle, Terminal 5 would make a good snowdome - they should apply for change of use! 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I agree completely cathy, I think this is the best news in ages for home skiing.
It's always seemed to me that dry slopes were far more natural candidates to become snowslopes than great big car parks like MK.
I've not generally been left with the impression that the Xscapes and particularly MK were too bothered about whether or not they had my custom (I guess it's understandable when there's no choice). The various Ellis Brigham stores at their base OTOH always seemed very helpfull and pleased to see me.
If Hemel makes a go of this, it may pave the way for other dry slopes to 'get real'. That could be really interesting.
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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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| kerekip wrote: |
Work on converting the 180m plastic slope is expected to be started and completed in 2007.
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I don't think they're expecting it to be completed till 2008. I understood they were planning on closing mid-summer 2007 and reopening Oct or Nov 2008.
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| cathy wrote: |
| Then MK will have to up its service. It has pretty much a monopoly position at the mo with custom from the South. |
MK has perhaps two main weapons. A) Lengthen, or steepen, the slope(s). B) Lower its prices. Option A is probably unlikely, due to cost and planning restrictions. Choice B is possible, but it will impact their allegedly razorthin margins. Will be interesting to see how MK reacts.
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You know it makes sense.
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I think this is brilliant news, it will give MK the much needed kick up the back bottom that it needs. For too long it has been complacent knowing that it is the only snowslope in the South East and now finally it will have some competition. It might force it to improve the snow quality and make sure the Poma's don't keep breaking down all the time.
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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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Yes, went to MK the other Friday and the conditions were awful. You go because there is no option. Hope it does make it sit up and realise it has to improve the service.
Don't mind paying the prices if the snow conditions were better!
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Poster: A snowHead
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Being only an hour from my place, it becomes much more appealing...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I ski regularly at Hemel and, due to the ususal condition of the snow at MK, find the dry slope preferable.
As this seems to be the first UK dray slope being converted as opposed to a purpose built snow slope, it will be interesting to see how it turns out.
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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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Georgio, there are surprise, surprise times, even extended periods, when it's bad, but generally the condition of the snow at MK is good.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| slikedges wrote: |
| Georgio, there are surprise, surprise times, even extended periods, when it's bad, but generally the condition of the snow at MK is good. |
I agree. I generally find the MK snow to be in good condition. It is their high'ish prices and short slope which smart the most.
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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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newsItem updated
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It would be nice if MK had a mogual run!
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Hemel is just down the road from me! (well, it is when I'm at home in England...) yay! 
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Lee, it does, about once a month. More of a rut line actually, but they create it for a moguls course they do which should but doesn't always run first week of each month.
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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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FAQ
Interesting how the locals have kept this quiet and I learn the news from hungary 
Thanks Kerekip. I wounder if they will use the grass roof for anything, it will probably end up covered in sunbathing chavs in the summer 
