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Exciting news…
We’re the first slope in the UK to upgrade to the latest Ski Mat design. In our opinion the new surface is the most realistic available, using cutting edge design & technology. Extensive testing has been carried out over the last few months & feedback has been phenomenal.
UPDATE 1/3/12 – Freestyle nights start on Sunday at 7pm. We’ll have a few features out, but the big kicker/hip is not quite ready yet, although testing & tweaking has begun, as you can see….
UPDATE 3/2/12 – From top to bottom is done, come & test it out!! Just the Hip and the curve to finish! The excitement is overflowing here at Snowtrax. We can’t wait for our first freestyle evening! Final delivery of matting estimated for mid Feb.
Update Friday 4/11/11
As requested, picture of the main ski slope is action!! Rob getting his first taste of Proslope – Super smooth & so fast the camera man almost missed him!
Update Monday 31/10/11
The main ski slope should be open later this week! Watch this space for notice!
Update Monday 24/10/11
Be one of the first to ski our new slope! Our main ski slope will be ready for the opening night of our Ski & Snowboard Show – Thursday 10th November…
(freestyle area is due to open towards the end of November)
Update Monday 17/10/11
The new matting is starting to make it’s way down the slope…
Update Monday 10/10/11
Super spongy under layer now installed, loads of spring & bounce for soft landings…
Update Monday 3/10/11
The re shaping of the slope is complete! It looks amazing, we can’t wait to get some matting down to try it out…
Update Monday 26/9/11
Check out the SMOOTH transitions between the gradients! You can now also see clearly the Hip to Table top layout on the left of this photo. Exciting progress…
Update Monday 19/9/11
A taste of what’s to come when we’ve finished…
Update Monday 12/9/11
Work continues despite the heavy rain last week! This view from bottom shows the size of the new slope…
Update Monday 5/9/11
Latest picture from the top of the main ski slope. At the bottom of the slope work has begun on the new layout…
Update Monday 29/8/11
The old matting has been removed & the diggers have started to reshape the main slope…
Work Begins 22/8/11
The old matting has been removed…
51 Comments
So excited to come and ski this new surface when it is done! I have heard it is supposed to be the perfect mash up between dendex and snowflex!
Definitely. I skied the test run on the top slope. So good, holds better edge and as for snowboarder they will love it!
The key question is grip, can it hold a carving edge, snowflex cannot; will it burn up skis, snoflex does; and on a more minority issue will it take a slalom pole for race and race training?
Hi Derek
Holds a better edge than Dendix without tip vibration at slower speeds.
And yes holds race pole, have a revolutionary fixing that was tried at summer race league earlier this year. Infact smaller and safer than old wooden base.
Hi Derek, yes it does grip & hold an edge, no it won’t burn your skis up like other matting & yes it will take a slalom pole! But don’t take our word for it, come & try it for yourself!
Its going to be an interesting surface but if you cant hold an edge on snowflex your not skiing correctly, and 2nd its plastic..your base’s are plastic therefore friction is going to cause edge wear
Thanks for your input Bob, when we’ve got the rest of the slope up & running you’ll have to drop in & try it out!
When the slope me open as usual?
Hi Walter – see the post below
Hi guys, any further news on when the slope will be ready to ride again, plus, i have to say, its looking good so far.
Hi Mike, we don’t want to give out an unrealistic date for re opening the slope & are therefore waiting until we start re laying the matting before estimating when the slope will re open. It’s a big project with a lot of work still to do, it will be a number of weeks yet.
Keep checking back here, we’ll post expected opening dates in a few weeks.
i havnt been coming down much since march because normally when it gets to that sort of time the weeds start growing through the slope making it almost imposible to keep speed and control. im really exited for the new slope but how is it going to affect the issue?
Hi Lewis, the new slope will not have this problem as there are no gaps for the weeds to grow through. The new matting also runs a lot faster due to the water retention in the bristles, so you should find that it’s great fun all year round!
Hi wow looks great. When will the new matting arrive ?
Hi Angie, the matting is due to arrive at the end of the week. We’re currently installing the underlayer, check out the next update on Monday for the latest news…
hi, how long will the new slope be for advanced skiers, the longer the better!
The slope will be 125m from top to bottom; we’ve increased the width & will be adding some permanent features such as mini ramps, boxes & rails. There will be loads to challenge skiers & boarders of all levels!
Looks really good. How long do you think it be now before some of it will be open to ski on ?
Will park nights still be on sundays or whenever you come down will the jumps and rails not be fenced off? Also when will they be done.
The ramps & rails are permanent features, so will be available for experienced skiers & snowboarders when the slope is open for practice sessions. We’re arranging session times at the moment & plan to offer freestyle coaching on a Sunday night. Opening date to be confirmed, we are expecting a large delivery of Mats today, keep checking this blog for updates… (Best guess – early Nov for main ski slope, mid/late Nov for park area ramps etc).
How much will it hurt when you fall on it? Especially off a kicker??
That’s hard to say, depends on how high you jump, how you fall etc… All we can confirm is that it’s a much, much, MUCH softer landing than the previous matting (Dendix)! We have also added a second layer of underlay in the landing zones to cushion any falls.
I only snowboard on snow as I have wanted to avoid possible hand injuries that some of my friends have had on older surfaces. I am keen on trying out the new surface and the rails etc but I notice that in the past you have said that we would have to use our own board. I have my own board etc but dont want to blunt the edges and wax etc on the mats and rails. are you going to be lending out gear when you reopen? looking at dragging lots of my kitesurf friends along weekly and this would help.
Hi Will, you are right, customers using the ramps and rails are asked to use their own kit (if not using the ramps & rails it is provided). We did originally loan skis & boards out but unfortunately some were mistreated & it ended up becoming unsustainable. We have discussed various solutions & will listen to customer feedback. The new matting is much kinder to equipment & we are redesigning all ramps & rails so this should make a big difference to the wear of your kit. We may introduce a fee for kit hire in the new year, but this is still under discussion.
By the way – we are having a price freeze until 1st Jan so when the new slopes open it’ll be at last years prices, some incentive to come & give it a go!
If you are coming up here regularly & would like to make a group booking we may be able to make a special arrangement, please email us with some details.
thats understandable, I’ll probably buy a cheepish board for park use for here and abroad. see you soon.
hi, can you please tell me if you are going to have the same system for getting up the hill or you having a new button type lift ?. regards nick…..
Hi Nick, the current re development does not involve replacing the lifts. However, the lift track is being upgraded.
Hello,
So is it still possiable to hire equipment when the new matting is down?
Thanks
Hi Jill, yes we will still hire out equipment for skiing & snowboarding on the slope.
Great news that the main slope has now been completed and re-opened. Shame about the Freestyle area though.
Any chance of an updated photo today perhaps showing somebody skiing so we can get a better feel for it ?
Hi Mark, no problem, photo will be taken & posted later today.
We’re all a little disappointed that the Freestyle area has had a slight delay, but feedback from the new slope has been very encouraging, I quote one customer “It skis like a well groomed piste, amazing!” Seriously we’re so impressed, you must come & try it!
“Wow! I am a believer”! I was a sceptic about the new matting with regards to making carved turns on it.
It really works so much better than I imagined. It is quicker yet smooth, and there is no real comparison to Dendix.
When skiing on the new surface you get a great deal of feedback from the skis and grip. The old scenario of catching an edge or even the concern of this seems a distant memory. It gives you confidence.
This new surface covers both ends of the spectrum e.g. safety and fun
DON’T TAKE MY WORD, TRY IT YOURSELF!!
Dont worry, I fully intend to.
Thanks.
Hey that looks like a vast improvement. It’s good to see you’ve built a table and hip too. Well done.
can’t wait to try the new surface. jumps looking sick.
Hey, looks good. Roughly when will the freestlye area be finished? Thanks
tried the slope and it’s so responsive.
can’t wait to go again.
when will the free style stuff be done
We are aiming to have the freestyle area up & running by mid/late January. It all depends on the delivery of the next 500 mats, currently making their way here as we speak 🙂
How is the freestyle area coming along? Also which day is going to be freestyle? Time etc? And how much for the session? I’m very excited!
Thanks Charlie.
any more news on the final part and is there anyway to get any form of air at the minute e.g. any bumps in the middle like there used to be? Wanna try out the new surface but not if the only part complete is flat. thanks
Hi Tom, we now have a much larger area of the main slope open, however the freestyle area is yet to be completed. We are awaiting our final delivery of mats & expect to launch the new freestyle area in 4 weeks time.
hows the freestyle area coming along?
pictures please?
Hi Joel, not long to wait now, we estimate opening the new freestyle area in 4 weeks time. Check out these clips, taken on the new surface recently – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R7eaILJxBY
Hey guys, you said the freestyle section would be done by the end of janruary? but it seems like its not, do you know when it is going to be finished?
Hi Piers, it’s not going to be long now. Our final delivery of matting is due next week. We expect it’ll take a couple of weeks to install. We understand it’s taken a lot longer than originally anticipated, we’re as frustrated as you are, but it’s been out of our control. However…. it will be worth the wait!!
when the free style area becomes open. what will be avadiable for the ramps. and when will be session time
Hi Joel, the slope will be open for freestyle on a Sunday evening. We will have a ramp & some rails out from this Sunday (4th March). The session is from 7pm-10pm. We’re working towards opening the kicker & hip, hopefully this will be in a few weeks.
are there any other sessions. as i cannot make the sunday one.
Hi all, just moved to Bournemouth from Bristol used to snowboard and do freestyle comps at young-ish age of 13-17 have not been on dry or snow since about age of 19, now I’m 29 and wana get back in the bindings so any1 want to bring me into the social loop add me on fb using my name Sam Hoida, I have an old K2 board and boots but need some bindings if any1 has any bindings for sale let me know, peace 🙂
Hi Sam, good to hear you’ll be getting back into it! Drop into the store at Snowtrax, we’ve got a big end of season sale going on. Loads of deals & some ex demo bindings going for a bargain!
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