Tue, 01/12/2010 - 6:06pmUK Slope check out: The Snow Centre

Check out the latest installment to the UK's quiver of artificial snow centres

Arriving at The Snow Centre is a refreshingly uncluttered experience. There’s no garnish here – just a pure riding facility, with a bit of grog of course. And there is a Snow and Rock on hand for any impulse purchases.
Driving into the leafy car park the humble building could be mistaken for actively trying to hide the enclosed 8,000m2 of real fake snow. And walking up the stairs it is a real relief not to be hounded by the sights and smells of a town out for a bit of Friday night struggle and strife.

Being so young it is unsurprising that the Snow Centre is still building its armory of freestyle features, or getting into the swing of things with park set-ups. That said, with park co-coordinator Ceri Birties in the mix, the timeless knowledge of Pete Gillespie on hand and help from James Fuller, Duncan Carr and Rob Needham, Friday and Saturdays nights are building a solid freestyle following.

Proving popular with a diverse range of riders, from beginners to old-timers to guest star appearances, a freestyle night at Hemel is certainly more Average Joe’s than RoboGym.

And with support from the industry their bag of features is growing each month.

When the FBBB Summer Tour rolled into town over 200 people flocked to the slopes and it’s not uncommon to see K2 main man, and dryslope legend, Pat Meurier showing the youngsters how it’s done.

The centre hosts loads of snowboard demos with the likes of Lib Tech, K2 and TSA regularly touting next season’s wares. In addition freestyle events and coaching events and camps are rife just keep an eye on the document website for park plans, events and comps or if you want to be their friend then join them on facebook for non-stop feeds.

Lids are compulsory for all freestyle sessions, lessons and riders under 16 and are available free of charge should you wish.

The Back Stories

THE STATS
Lifts: Two button lifts, one rope tow
Slope Lengths: 160m, 100m
Opening Times: 9am – 11pm daily
Indoor Temperature: -2°C to -6°C
Freestyle sessions: Friday 7-11pm, Saturday 8-10pm (Saturday’s session is only over half the slope)

EVENTS
Park & Ride present The Airbag
22nd January 7pm-11pm

?26th February 7pm-11pm

Definition Camp 2 Day Freestyle Course
www.definitioncamps.com

THE DAMAGE
Adult peak prices (weekends, bank holidays and evenings)
1 hour £22

?2 hours £33?

4 hours £50?

Adult off-peak prices (Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm)
1 hour £18

?2 hours £27?

4 hours £40?

GET THERE
The Snow Centre, ?St Albans Hill, Hemel Hempstead,?Herts, HP3 9NH
Tel: 0845 258 9000
Email: email@thesnowcentre.com
Web: www.thesnowcentre.com