Skiing: Anyone been to the snow slope at Hemel Hempstead?

[Chris71]

Sort of moved this myself from the sports section as it just seems to be full of footballists...

Wondered if anyone had been to the snow slope in Hemel yet? I didn't even realise it was open until I heard a chance comment from someone I was looking to buy a car off.

It's a bit dissapointing that it's 10 metres shorter than the already less than vast slope at Milton Keynes, but if it's quieter that should more than compensate I guess. Also (for me) it's 20 minutes away, not an hour, which is nice...

So, anyone been? Any thoughts?

[Chris71]

I found myself with a couple of free hours yesterday so I actually headed over. It was pretty much exactly as expected - you do miss the extra length of the MK slope, but it was significantly quieter and seemed well run. There were still perhaps more people than you'd expect on 160x30m of alpine piste (at least outside of peak times), but I basically went straight off the top of the lift, down the run and onto the lift again at the bottom.

The snow quality was arguably better than MK, which seems to get a bit icy, but other than that the slope itself felt much the same. As it stands I'll definitely be heading back - a bit more distance and gradient would be nice, but the lack of crowds and the proximity make it an easy winner for me. However, it's still quite new and we're well out of European ski season, so we'll have to see how it goes. If a load of people suddenly discover it (it's been open since May apparently, I've only just ehard about it too) then it could rapidly go down hill (pun not intended). One thing that's a bit annoying is the membership is hugely expensive at £100 and doesn't seem to give you much over 'pay as you ski' otherwise I'd probably sign up.

If anyone fancies heading over and investigating give me a shout. None of my friends round here ski or board and I felt like a bit of a loner perched on the top of the slope.

[Chris71]

LeightonBuzzard said:

Yh i have a few mates who ski and board went past it today to have a look as i picked a mates car up with him. How much is it?

IIRC it's £22 for 1 hour, £33 for 2.

Looking on the Xscape (MK) website that actually makes Hemel marginally more expensive, but I think it's worth the extra pound for fewer people and a 20 minute journey, not an hour long one. At the moment at least. Not convinced that'll still be the case in a few months...

Still gutted they couldn't have made it a bit bigger though.

[Chris71]

Y8RSP said:

I'm keen to head over for a recce...


And i'm sure we can find plenty of local skiers/boarders for a bit of a PHers snowsports & Aprés evening? Meybe organise a mutual date and get something 'properly' organised....

Any takers?


Steve-o

I'd be up for that.

My skiing is pretty embarassing at the moment though. I grabbed the first warmish thing I could find on my way off to take a look the other day and it was an old hoodie with 'Courchevel Season Workers' spread in huge letters across the front. I've also got into the habitat of skiing with a lid on so I looked pretty damn hardcore right up until the point I stepped onto some snow for the first time in two years and proceeded to ski with all the grace and coordination of a pregnant water buffalo.

[Chris71]

Y8RSP said:

That's the spirit!

Well i'd be happy enough organising something if there is enough interest... I'll get in touch with the Snow Centre and see if we can get a discount if we bring enough people...

Any preference on days of the week/times?

I think the earliest I could guarantee getting over to Hemel during the week would be about 8pm (maybe a bit earlier with advanced warning), but any day is good. Weekends I tend to either be around or not, so basically any weekend or late-ish evening might be an option. Maybe.

It might be worth sticking a post in the events section maybe? Difficult to know where to put it without a ski/board section (which coincidentally - mods - I think might work ).

[Chris71]

There are lockers big enough for shoes, keys, coat etc. but I didn't see anything for skis or boards. Didn't really look though - I was straight in, straight out.

Next time I think I'll get two hours if it's quiet again. Might head over tomorrow as it happens...

[Chris71]

Y8RSP said:

Chris - keen to join tomorrow?

Yep, YHM.

[Chris71]

Graeme_Gman said:

May have to get my behind in gear and finish off my lessons. Done a level 1 lesson last year, and then never got round to doing the other 3 levels to get to recreational standard. Will look into doing the lessons soonish now I think.

Do it! Join the PH ski massive...

[Chris71]

lythaby said:

no poles, :-P

PC Brigade!