 Poster: A snowHead
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Had the pleasure of a trip to Hillend (Big dry slope outside Edinburgh) last night and the misfortune to have to use the rented skis there.
• They don't rent skis longer than 175cm (not good for a 6'4" 14.5st person)
• They don't rent skis stiffer than a noodle that's been on boil for 30 minutes
• They don't have any means to sharpen the edges of aforementioned noodles*
• They don't have a floodlight system capable of lighting their new slope
• The new nursery slope is made of some crappy plastic that is already falling apart
• The tubing slopes are redundant due to apparent lack of engineering assessment - ie. they're falling down the hill
• The sprinkler system doesn't reach to a big part of the new slope
*How the hell they expect kids and adult learners to learn how to edge skis properly using the equipment on offer is beyond me. All that money spent on making the slope look bigger (perceived quality) rather on the things the centre actually needed (equipment and servicing capabilities) seems like a big huge red herring. They used to have the capabilities to service skis, but according to someone there, this facility was removed to make way for something to do with the new slope installation!!
Shambles. I won't ski there again unless it's under 2ft of snow and I feel safe using my own kit.
Shame really, as the potential is huge, especially for the new generation of young skier and school groups etc. No wonder we produce so little sporting talent in this country - apart from tennis of course  )
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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shoogly,
Ao nothing much has changed since I first went there in about 1971?
Dendix (if that's what they still use) doesn't lend itself to longer skis and if they sharpened edges on any regularity the skis would last about 3 days. While I am sure that some of your infrastructure complaints are quite valid, I am not sure your ski related ones are, in the context of a dry slope.
Anyway, sharp edges don't help that much, the dendix is just showing up your lack of spoofing technique
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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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Spoofing?
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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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I certainly had a good experience last night with some nice skiing. No problems with the flood lighting on the new slope for me. Sprinklers were not in action as not needed due to the snow covering. However, I seem to remember there always being patchy coverage on the old slope. Had my own kit (with duff edges) so can't comment on hire skis. Surely you have some rock hoppers if you ski in Scotland? You never could hire anything longer than 175s and anything longer isn't particularly appropriate on a dry matt. Its not just Hillend too, I've been at ski resorts where I've struggled to hire something longer than 175cm!
I think its a little harsh to describe it as a shambles. I thought the new slope was a good addition and was seeing plenty of use whereas the face never saw much use.
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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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scottishskier: Is Hillend snow covered at the moment? Just that Mrs MA and I have fond memories of 2 deserted midweek December days there a couple of years ago - in total snow cover! It was brilliant.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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mountainaddict, As said above its not totally covered but there is enough to make it enjoyable.
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to be fair the new slope (the loop) is great for beginners as it gives them the chance to run down from the top on a far smoother and longer run. previous to this they could only really use the second red run (to the left as you look up the hill) which is bumpy and not all that long.
i totally agree that the misting system needs more work. it's far too patchy.
monday was great fun (as long as you didn't mind the blustery wind at the very top of the tow). bags of snow. we nipped over the top of the hill and came down through the golf course.
in the near future there will be ski servicing again. and, i gather, a retail unit.
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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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It serves its purpose.
Articles last year suggested the whole thing was getting the Dendix replaced with Neveplast but it only made it onto the nursery areas. Shame.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I learnt to ski at Hillend (in Primary school) and still go occasionally. I like the new part, much better than old part. Though I agree it needs more lights - the top section down to slope was pitch black for a few metres, which is a lot when you're a novice like me. I was tempted to go last week when it was snowy but thought it might be too slippy 
I'm going for my first ski holiday in March, can't wait to see how the snow compares to Hillend!
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FAQ
you obviously have a different wife from me 
No doubt they'll have servicing capabilities?
