 Poster: A snowHead
|
Just a quick heads up with developments on the south coast with "Proslope"
For the few that may not have heard a great deal about this stuff it’s basically an alternative to Dendix/snowflex etc.
Snowtrax in Dorset are currently undertaking a major reconstruction to their main slope replacing their Dendix with Proslope.
Early trials and opinions have been promising, the design basically consists of a duel height bristle system with a diamond pattern of long bristles and in-filled with shorter stiffer bristles, there are no large holes to trap fingers etc. it also has a thick under layer for softer landings!
Current systems would seem to have their strong points and weaknesses for different skier types, i.e. the carpet types are good for freestylers- dodgy landings generally being a "little less" painful but they aren’t particularly fast and may not have the grip for racer types, Dendix is generally great for racers but does command a little respect when things don’t go to plan!
Proslope attempt to combine the strengths of both current types, the idea behind the duel height matting is when you're skiing with minimal edge and pressure the ski's are floating on the longer softer bristles making skidded/steered turns easier but as you increase edge & pressure the ski edges sink lower and start to engage with the shorter stiffer bristles enabling carved turns.
The reconstruction and redesign at Christchurch should be complete within around 4 weeks or so and should make better use of the slopes length, I think there may be a few new surprises at the bottom for the freestyle types too!
If you get the chance...try it & judge for yourself!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
gatecrasher,
I tried a short section of this stuff at Silksworth - it was okay. Its certainly brave of Snowtrax to redo the slope in it. I wonder about its longevity as its on what looks like a plastic base. It does look fairly easy to replace a section though. As you say it is soft and slippy and should be good for boarders.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b013ytch/?t=41m50s
aw, felt sorry for him  actually i think he will succeed with it in the long run
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
gatecrasher, So how do you fit gates in then ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
sunnbuel, thanks for the Den's link, I missed that one. I felt a little sorry for him to, however I would have thought that the evidence of Dendix Thumb is a pretty good indication that the older surface was prone to it, we are a 3 Dendix thumb household, plus back in the 80's i face planted on Dendix when jumping, not a pretty result, managed to catch the tips of my skis in the Dendix when doing a jump like this, whoops!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
livetoski, photo shows nice headband but disappointing lack of legwarmers 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
sunnbuel,
I missed that episode also! It does have a really heavy plastic backing so I would guess this would easily outlast the bristles, they put in a 3 to 4 mtr strip just over a third of the slopes length to carry out trials on for around six months or so prior to making the decision and still looks as good as the latest section that’s just been laid, I would imagine safety was a key factor for going down this route, it is however noticeably quicker than the original dendix slope wet or dry plus the grip is not only more progressive but it's also very solid when needed! We got to try out the full top section prior to the bulldozers coming in!
ski,
The guys at the slope have designed their own base mountings which sit permanently under the bristle line so the poles just screw in when required; theoretically they can be fitted anywhere and everywhere! You can have a look on their Facebook page "Proslope"
livetoski,
Great pic!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
gatecrasher, thanks, 2 metre skinny skis, summer 84/85 I think in Torquay of all places
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
I saw that proslope failed over the local group to take over Rossendale.
Can't comment on the surface as I've not skied it....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
gatecrasher, any idea how the cost compares to dendix and/or snowflex? don't expect you to quote figures on here , just a rough guide.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
sunnbuel,
I really have no idea but I will say- the original dendix they have pulled up was in really good condition so I don't think they were looking for a cheap replacement for a tired slope etc. Everything about the place is constantly evolving and paving the way with this surface is I guess part of that, they also wanted to increase the usable length by removing the counter slope at the bottom.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
gatecrasher, interesting - any idea what have they done with the original dendix? Keep us all posted on when the facility will reopen, there are a number of us would make the long trip down to try the new surface.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sunnbuel, Not sure what's happening with the old stuff, but will keep you all updated on progress, where would you be coming from!
You can also get updates if you're on Facebook by "liking" their page "proslope" it has info & photos of progress etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
gatecrasher, up north. Facebook.....urghhhh well that won't happen.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
North of Newbury then! Fb yep gets in they way of everything in this house! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Does one have to have ones arms covered on this new stuff as on dendix, as not portrayed in the photo?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Cynic wrote: |
| Does one have to have ones arms covered on this new stuff as on dendix, as not portrayed in the photo? |
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
gatecrasher, hi, any updates for us ?
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
popped in yesterday and the development is looking pretty good, guys recon it will be complete in early november now but quite a few permanent features to play on 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
ta for the update. Any pics to share?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Open!! fun stuff & jumps to follow!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
gatecrasher, glad to hear its open, will be interesting to hear how the new surface stands up to a seasons use. By the way i have looked at some pics from today and the slope doesn't look finished?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
sunnbuel, not completely finished but ski-able, they needed to get it this way asap as have a ski show this week, just come back from trying it out, It's very quick so will be interesting to see the first few full runs with gates! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
gatecrasher, i know its early days, but whats your opinion of the new surface v snowflex etc for a shallow gradient nursery slope?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
| Quote: |
etc for a shallow gradient nursery slope?
_________________
|
sunnbuel, Well it's the quickest plastic surface I've been on, so I'd say it would be ideally suited to this, the difference apart from the speed aspect compared to snowflex is you have the grip like dendix but far easier to steer turns, it's also gives you the feeling that catching an edge would be harder to do, I think it will really help the little one's progress as well as the "not so little ones" There's a lot of chat here from people who "don't do plastic" thinking about giving it a try.
We had a brief pole session this morning, looking really good for this also!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
JaMMi, Not sure about the six form thing if your on Facebook go to Proslope and like, there's a couple of training session clips on there etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| gatecrasher wrote: |
| JaMMi, Not sure about the six form thing if your on Facebook go to Proslope and like, there's a couple of training session clips on there etc. |
Nice - thanks ; looks pretty good!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
sunnbuel, the slope was reopened early to allow their ski show to go ahead, the dendix and underlay you see outside of the cones is shortly to be replaced with the new matting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
|
Ps, have you ever seen a boarder so relaxed as this on dendix!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
| gatecrasher wrote: |
| Ps, have you ever seen a boarder so relaxed as this on dendix! |
yeh but they were very very drunk
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
sunnbuel, Messy!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wow... just had a go on this stuff at snowtrax... by far the best dry slope surface I have ever tried. Feels quite like real snow, and has good speed and grip. Just a shame it's not a longer slope... hopefully they will install it on some more slopes soon!
Well recommend anyone to try it!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That looks amazing
Is the surface good to learn on?
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
gatecrasher, Any idea on the sorts of costs involved ? Interesting that they seem to overlay in on dendex ?
I'll pass the link over to our slope manager, who knows !!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
Probably more like the end of October for completion I reckon from what I'm hearing, they are spending a lot of time re-profiling the slope, more so with the bottom area where the kickers etc. are planned. The downside of all this is I'm having to spend a lot more time @ Hemel! Shame! 
Please please please!
