Poster: A snowHead
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The ratio of snowdome projects to snowdome realities generally runs at about 20 to 1 in the UK, but a new scheme proposed for Manchester sounds like a runner. It would be the biggest in the country.
For a start, three people involved - David Sterland, Andrew Lockerbie and Bob Brigham - have enjoyed successful careers in the ski business and would probably get the concept right.
Here are the details, from yesterday's Manchester Evening News.
Any 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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I just wish they'd build one near Bristol/Cardiff.
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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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The Cardiff Bay plans were supposed to include one. Has it died?
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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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Lets hope it doesn't go the way of Salford World of snow.
Now Salford World of expensive yet tacky apartments...
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I live half an hour's drive away from the MK snowdome and have only been once. It's very expensive and very limited. Unless you want tuition (which is also very expensive) they're really over rated. I may go back if I get really really desperate. Those of you who wish that you live near one shouldn't really worry too much
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A couple of my friends I'm going skiing with soon, who are beginners decided they wanted to get off to a flying start on holiday so they went to Castleford snowdome for some lessons, only to find out that eight hours tuition was 150 pounds!
Its cheaper for more hours in France... Who'd have thunk it?
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Interesting point, Chris. I guess people are still using plastic slopes where they have the choice, on a basis of price -v- ski enjoyment. The longest plastic slopes in the country are still significantly longer than indoor snow slopes.
Impressively, though, all 3 UK snowdomes are still running and Tamworth has passed its 10th birthday. So I guess there are sufficient punters willing to pay the premium for snow.
What are people's views about skiing plastic against snow, where the choice is available locally?
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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'd pay for snow every time. It's great in the summer just to strap your skis on, and hit the real stuff. Plastic is nothing like real snow. (IMHO)
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I used to ski quite a lot on plastic, both at Sheffield and Rossendale, and I have to say I enjoy it a lot. If its wet and running fast it can be great.
The problem I find is variety. Sheffield is much better beacuse of all the bumps, jumps, rollers and narrow bits.
All these snow domes are only good for about an hour. Unless your into rails, boxes and tabletops...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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You have to wondera bout the viability of a snowdome in Manchester. Much of the business drumed up by the others is due to people travelling long distances. However, with Castleford and Tamworth taking up so much of the surrounding catchment area (and talks of one being built in Sheffield), will there be the demand?
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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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But hasn't planning permission been granted for one already in Merseyside on the Wirral on the old Camel Lairds ship building site ?
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If you drew a map of Britain with every mooted snowdome on it, there would hardly be room to move. In fact, they could all be linked into something like the Superski Dolomiti. My local snowdome - the one on the Beckton Alps site - got off the ground in terms of concrete footings, but is now just a page in that famous book 'Archaelogical Remains of Ski Slopes, UK Edition'.
Let's get this straight - Londoners, and no one else, are the underprivileged ones when it comes to snowdomes. Everywhere I walk in this great metropolis, bedraggled people with skis on their shoulders come up to me, asking "Can you direct me to a snowdome?"
I then fish one of those little 'shake and snow' clear plastic snowdomes out of my pocket. They're not amused.
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You know it makes sense.
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Dry slopes and snow-domes help beginners to get a feel for skiing before going on holiday and doing the real thing, helping to reduce the number of injuries etc. Its just a shame they are so bloody expensive
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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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Greg Capper wrote: |
Dry slopes and snow-domes help beginners to get a feel for skiing before going on holiday and doing the real thing, helping to reduce the number of injuries etc. Its just a shame they are so bloody expensive |
I dunno why they have to be so expensive. I worked for 6 months out in Belgium a couple of years back and we used to go to a snowdome place in Peer over there for a mess around. Less than a tenner for an hour free skiing/boarding, just over a tenner for a group lesson. Less if you brought your own stuff along (about 6 or 7 quid for an hour IIRC).
Also the slope was bigger and better than Tamworth (haven't been to the others). So how can they justify charging upwards of 20 quid an hour is beyond me.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Lager wrote: |
So how can they justify charging upwards of 20 quid an hour is beyond me. |
Because enough people will pay it to justify the price?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Also, dry slopes cost up to £15 per hour......and you'd expect snowdomes to be a bit more pricey.
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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 can get a small discount with SCGB membership....
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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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It may be pricey, but it's still very busy at weekends. I'd prefer them to be pricey and viable, then they'll be around for longer.
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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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Snowdome for Manchester, should be quite inexpensive, as I hear its been a very cold and frosty atmosphere at Old Trafford of late!!!!!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Yes, and it's all going downhill
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Ken Lingwood, I was just thinking that. Perhaps they will convert the almost empty trophy room into one. All that needs to happen is for someone to install a lift up to the top of Sir Alex's over inflated ego, and people could ski down that.
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WTFH, lift might not be practical, the altitude sickness would be unbearable!!!!
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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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Also there may be a problem with the snow melting, he may have an icy personality, but all he spouts is hot air.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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He's got attitude sickness...
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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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The apres wouldn't be up to much, Vin Chaud made with sour grapes - no thanks.
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And prawn sandwiches
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You know it makes sense.
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I wouldn't be keen.
Kean....................................geddit?
I'll get me coat
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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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marc gledhill, I hate to break it to you, but you've STILL not pulled!
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Poster: A snowHead
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marc gledhill wrote: |
I'll get me coat |
Fox (and others who may be wondering), it's an old joke from the days of bikemagic - as in "yes, I know it;s a crap joke, I'll just leave quietly before I'm thrown out bodily"
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