Snowboard Club UK (SCUK)
UK - chill factore first impressions
mini. - Jul 12, 2008 - 06:00 PM
Post subject: chill factore first impressions
hi.
today i rode at chill factore for the first time.
i have to say, i prefer Cas!.
there where multiple kickers and rails out, but all where fenced off. so 50% of the slope was unusable.
the lift pass system is terrible. having to remove a glove, to locate a pass in a pocket to then stick in a machine was a pain in the arse.
the entry system i didnt like also. i paid for 90 minutes slope time. it started on a 15 minute unterval, so at the gate were many people all waiting for their 1/4 hour time slot. meant a mass rush in. and a mass queue for the lift, i entered at 1/4 to the hour. it was 7 minutes before i got onto the lift.
if the lift reads the pass then there;s no reason why i should not have been allowed to enter the slope minutes before hand to be ready to get my first ride on time. i paid for slope time. not to lose 7 minutes of it before i got onto the poma.
at one point there was a good 5 minute queue to use the lift. only then did management open the 2nd poma.
in general. i enyoyed my 90 minutes. but would have loved it more if the kickers had been available, the lifts easier to use and i got my full 90 minutes.
plus points.
i got my quid back from the locker.
i have been riding fresh tracks at cas. i think i will continue to do so. 3 hours for 20 quid (with the scuk discount) for me is far better value, especially at the moment when there are toys on the slope for me to learn and play on.
MIni
jdderbys - Jul 12, 2008 - 06:54 PM
Post subject: RE: chill factore first impressions
Tamworth is sweet at the moment. £15 for 3 hours every evening except ski wednesday. Such good value and off season is always empty.
mini. - Jul 12, 2008 - 06:57 PM
Post subject: RE: chill factore first impressions
thats bloody good value for evening riding.
do they leave any toys out to play on?
jdderbys - Jul 12, 2008 - 07:22 PM
Post subject: RE: chill factore first impressions
box, kicker and rail on fri. All toys on tue and sat
Paulio - Jul 12, 2008 - 07:56 PM
Post subject: RE: chill factore first impressions
to be fair, i would expect the kickers to be shut off on a saturday, its when you get most people on there who cant ski/board and i reckon you mightve got quite a few who ended up on the kickers without wanting to!
however, you are 100% right on everything else you have said re lifts and that annoying entry system....they have the exact same entry system at Old Trafford, my season ticket for that is a credit card that you wave in front like the lift systems in most ski resorts....its literally exactly the same machine, i get the feeling the chill factor are saving money on losing lots of plastic cards by using paper/cardboard. ive seen many just skip past it out of frustration once their piece of paper is bent etc!
when chilli was being being built i remember a buzz around manchester that it was going to offer more than all the other indoor slopes all of the time...in my opinion they have opened a slope that makes the maximum profit with as little spend as possible....but thats just my opinion!
but live in hope that maybe the experience was not that good as it was a saturday, and maybe the management at chilli are still learning....
Paulio - Jul 12, 2008 - 07:58 PM
Post subject: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
jdderbys wrote:
box, kicker and rail on fri. All toys on tue and sat
feck me ive just read your post, that is good value.....am i missing some amazing similar deal at chilli!?!
annieredding - Jul 12, 2008 - 08:19 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
the £15 is only for Tamworth members. Not all toys will be out on a tuesday and saturday, it's a full freestyle setup which varies from week to week.
winterfunman - Jul 13, 2008 - 09:37 AM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
I went a few weeks ago , liked it , but prefer my local ( cas ) hated the bloody ticket entry thingy , probly why they giv you 1.5hrs for same price as cas , you need it cos even when its n ot busy , it wastes a good half hour , and if you sneak throught the school gap , ypou get grief off the lifty , i know there doing there job ...but it was very empty ......onb the plus side the lifty went to the top for a spell then wqas riding down , as he went past me and my buds he caufght an edge , KARMA we thought for been a jobs worth lol
Rushview - Jul 13, 2008 - 08:07 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
The turnstyle system at Chill Factore is a waste of time I agree, but all the kickers and boxes are always fenced-off until 7pm on a Saturday until the Core Freestyle evening officially kicks off. I was there on Sat @ 7pm on the nose and everything opened bang-on except one of the boxes which was casuing them a bit of trouble.
G/Dad - Jul 16, 2008 - 05:21 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
Was at chill factor yesterday for the first time, I agree about the lift pass stupid things,Why cant they use plastic ones and charge a deposit . Its anice slope all the toys were open in the daytime. I Think M K is more intresting to board on and closer to me
Rushview - Jul 16, 2008 - 09:32 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
I was there yesterday too, around 8pm. They had the rainbow box out (which I came off on spectacularly), the Main Kicker (although it was in a hideous state), and a small gas pipe.
mini. - Jul 16, 2008 - 09:37 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
i forwarded a link to this message to customer services at Chill. i hoped they would read it as a gentle critisism. its definately not offensive in any way. and i hoped i would have recieved a reply from them concerning it.
unfortunately. no reply at all.
i hope they have read it. customer viewpoints are essential for any business
mini. - Jul 16, 2008 - 09:43 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
i forwarded a link to this message to customer services at Chill. i hoped they would read it as a gentle critisism. its definately not offensive in any way. and i hoped i would have recieved a reply from them concerning it.
unfortunately. no reply at all.
i hope they have read it. customer viewpoints are essential for any business
G/Dad - Jul 16, 2008 - 11:46 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
we filled out one of there questionairsand put it in the sugestion box but i doubt it will do any good .Wetalked to a superviser who said they hardley ever got any compaints about the lift passes.Maybe not enough people complain
Rushview - Jul 17, 2008 - 07:34 AM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
The lift passes are I joke I admit, but they're better than the ones they had a few months ago that were made from a kinda cardboard material, now it's a plasticy thinner paper type, which I have to admit is quite hard to rip with your fingernails.
I joined up on Tuesday and got the membership at a discounted rate, all due to my SCUK membership, and I got a nice snazzy plastic card that can be 're-charged' with slope type so you can use that instead. I think they tried giving these to non-member customers at one point and asked them to hand them back in when you left as I remember seeing a big bowl on the counter with sign above it saying 'Returned Lift Passes', but as you can guess they probably lost a ton of them.
Paulio - Jul 17, 2008 - 12:03 PM
Post subject: Re: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
G/Dad wrote:
we filled out one of there questionairsand put it in the sugestion box but i doubt it will do any good .Wetalked to a superviser who said they hardley ever got any compaints about the lift passes.Maybe not enough people complain
to be fair ive never got round to complaining so i shouldnt whinge!
i understand they dont want to use plastic if people dont give them back in at the end, but the machine is just a barcode reader, so i wonder if its possible to just wave the paper/plasticy pass in front of it rather than struggling to get it into a slot?!
but i was planning to sign up for membership on my next trip can use a plastic card as rushview says
giveitago - Jul 17, 2008 - 10:31 PM
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i agree about the lift pass system it's a real pain that includes the entry to the slope too.it's a shame because the place itself is really smart
do you still need to insert the plastic card you get with membership or can it be read in your pocket like abroad
G/Dad - Jul 17, 2008 - 10:34 PM
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You will still be stuck behind people with the flimsy ones trying to get them to work.
Rushview - Jul 18, 2008 - 10:37 PM
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Not tried yet with the plastic card. I have seen some people just waving something near the gate and it lets them past, but I don't think it's the card.
giveitago - Jul 18, 2008 - 11:36 PM
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thats a fair point g/dad
i,ve tryed chill in season when its ubber busy and defo not do it again ques were awfull didnt evan enjoy the boarding knowing thers a que at bottom
only go now out of hours when its not to busy so i enjoy it .
so queing aint the hasstle its the taking me glove off and digging out the pass which is the arse
mini. - Jul 18, 2008 - 11:43 PM
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theres an old rule in business.
piss off one customer
lose ten.
i hope they are reading these messages and seeing the amount off ill feeling the passes cause.
i know i wont be making a trip back there anytime soon.
Mini
]
JonnyGRanger - Jul 19, 2008 - 12:43 AM
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Why do they even have the current lift pass system?
I haven't been but it sounds complicated compared to Cas and Tam.
Tomahawk - Jul 19, 2008 - 03:04 AM
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probably cos its effective at stopping people poaching.
adam_2005 - Jul 19, 2008 - 03:00 PM
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Yeah, it's to stop people overstaying. But people hop over the barriers, so it doesn't exactly work.
I don't like the system, but a guy who works there told me that they're changing to the card system (which you can put in your pocket/glove) which will improve things.
G/Dad - Jul 19, 2008 - 09:13 PM
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when we asked they said it was only going to be plastic ones for members.thethin ones for everyone else cos they dont get them back But if they charged a deposit on them that would cure that.
adam_2005 - Jul 19, 2008 - 11:41 PM
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They already use cards for members, but they said they'd be rolling that out for everyone's use.
JIBapproved - Jul 20, 2008 - 12:40 AM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
sounds like a load of rubbish - we travel to cas nearly every week from cumbria its 100 miles and about the same to chill factore, we got no desire to go there at all
pete7:19 - Jul 22, 2008 - 04:25 PM
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I finally got around to putting my money where my mouth was and booked a session from 12:00 today, so what did my £17 get me?
Well I got there about 10:30, all the instructions said to be at least 45 minutes early during peak times and as I'd no idea what it would be like I wanted plenty of time to recce the joint.
Took a look-see from the balcony area and a quick count showed about 20 people using the main slope, only about 2 or 3 at a time actually going down it, the rest dangling off the one working poma.
A little after 11:00 trade picked up and the staff took the decision to open the right hand poma, the queue that had just started rapidly disappeared and a quick count showed up to about 35 bodies on the slope.
Found the changing facilities most acceptable, plenty of room to swing a snowboard in the cubicles. After a leisurely change I sat for 15 minutes waiting for the starting gates to open, while waiting I heard a lad ask his mum/guardian to get him an elastic band for his lift pass from the rental desk, now that, I thought, was a top idea. Attach the elastic band to the lift pass, ideally on your left side and you shouldn't have any bother with the plastic coated paper ticket system. The only person I saw having any difficulty with lift access was not using this simple and very effective method. I did see one girl having trouble getting into the snow area with her pass but found all she had to do was wave it about in there and the reader picked it up within a second. It wasn't necessary to take my gloves off to use it as the hole in the reader is wide enough for even the most ham fisted of apes.
As I got on the slope both pomas were working, made for the right hand side and on completion of my first run got down in time to see them shutting it off. As it turns out it wasn't a problem, they'd shut it down because there were only about 15 people on the slope.
I only got held up 3 times by stoppages, always due to newbies getting that first harsh lesson in poma attitude, and it was restarted in enough time to stop me whingeing.
I lost count of how many runs I'd had after I hit double figures, I was having too much fun to care.
Now the only indoor slope I can compare to is Cas and certainly during off peak hours I can say CFe compares favourably.
Check in was better, possibly because there was no-one queueing but certainly because the lady working there smiled, a concept I was unfamiliar with last year at Cas. Changing facilities I found very comfortable, getting my £ back is a distinct advantage and the locker was big enough to hold my holdall and then some. The lift system, while obviously being less user friendly than the bloke at Cas who checks your ticket twice in 2 hours, I found caused no difficulty and certainly no delays, except when a skier got tangled up in it and fell on his arse, but that was just good entertainment. The lift felt about the same as Cas, and I can't argue about there only being one in operation as that's what I was used to at Cas anyway. As for the slope itself, I wouldn't say it felt much different to Cas, I'd put them on a par.
There were a couple of toys out too, a rail at the top, a box at the bottom and something resembling the Matterhorn in between.
So in summary, while I can't talk about peak hours I can say without doubt I will be going again off peak, 10:00 and 12-14:00 seem particularly good, on Tuesdays. 
dashie - Jul 22, 2008 - 08:56 PM
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I agree with pete, its a good place an far too much bashin goes on.
The lift passes aint that bad an if u cant keep it dry enough to use then u aint on ur feet for long enough an should get some practice in.
Snow is never really bad there either.
Paulio - Jul 22, 2008 - 09:36 PM
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i must be cack-handed because even with the elastic band i end up creasing the pass when i poke it in the slot! i even leave it out of my pocket so it doesnt get creased in there but its no use.....damn my fat fingered yeti hands!
only ever go when its off peak so never seen it too busy anyway
BlondeAmbition - Jul 22, 2008 - 10:28 PM
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I was there on saturday afternoon in peak hours n it was all good. The left hand ticket machine on the left hand lift is dodgy n its hit n miss whether it accepts ur ticket but the others are all fine...my advise stick to the ticket machine on the right or if the right hand lift is open go up that poma!!!
BlondeAmbition - Jul 22, 2008 - 10:38 PM
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Goin Thursday evenin if anyone is about?
Dinalli - Jul 22, 2008 - 11:27 PM
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me 
pete7:19 - Jul 23, 2008 - 03:41 PM
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Paulio wrote:
i must be cack-handed because even with the elastic band i end up creasing the pass when i poke it in the slot! i even leave it out of my pocket so it doesnt get creased in there but its no use.....damn my fat fingered yeti hands!
Think of the ticket reader as a woman, be gentle and she'll be more welcoming, get it right and she lights up, go in too hard and she'll just shut you out. 
dashie - Jul 23, 2008 - 04:46 PM
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pete7:19 wrote:
Think of the ticket reader as a woman, be gentle and she'll be more welcoming, get it right and she lights up, go in too hard and she'll just shut you out.
ah swiss tony, welcome to scuk
BlondeAmbition - Jul 23, 2008 - 08:05 PM
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Dinalli wrote:
me
I know your goin silly I'm goin wiv you!!!
Paulio - Jul 23, 2008 - 08:32 PM
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pete7:19 wrote:
Paulio wrote:
i must be cack-handed because even with the elastic band i end up creasing the pass when i poke it in the slot! i even leave it out of my pocket so it doesnt get creased in there but its no use.....damn my fat fingered yeti hands!
Think of the ticket reader as a woman, be gentle and she'll be more welcoming, get it right and she lights up, go in too hard and she'll just shut you out.
yes it would appear random shouting and ranting and sporadic pokes are as successful at chill factore as in a bar
..... hello ladies...
Rushview - Jul 23, 2008 - 09:22 PM
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I might do tomorrow night, depends what toys are out. If that farkin' Rainbox box is out again then I ain't going.
BlondeAmbition - Jul 23, 2008 - 09:27 PM
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Be there round half seven
Rushview - Jul 23, 2008 - 09:54 PM
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Sweet.
richhiggins - Jul 24, 2008 - 11:52 AM
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there's the new metal box, a pretty hefty booter and...
the rainbow!
box is a bit close to the kicker practically impossible to hit them both in a line.
Rushview - Jul 24, 2008 - 10:44 PM
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Was all steezed up and rushed home after I finished work, though I'd check the forums before I left and.. BANG.. massive sessh this Saturday at CFe, so not gonna make it tonight and will be there for 4 hours on Sat' if anyone fancies it.
£35 for 4 hours and a free 'drink'. Hope they will still honour CFe membership discount as well. 30% off means 4 hours for £24.50 makes James a happy shredder.
J_P - Jul 25, 2008 - 12:16 AM
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Hey Rushview your spot on with the membership prices, £24.50 for 4Hours on The City Jam, plus a free drink, spot prizes and a huge sound system booming out on the slope.
See you then,
JP
Branny - Jul 25, 2008 - 07:06 AM
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yeah looks good JP..pity I don't get back to the UK till Monday
however looking forward to seeing the Place on Wednesday...
J_P - Jul 25, 2008 - 11:42 AM
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Hey Branny,
Yeah it will se sick this sat but at least we have permanent features out now, so there will be something for you to jib about on Wednesday.
See you then mate
Branny - Jul 25, 2008 - 12:34 PM
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yeah..looking forward to playing with one loves box.....
nah that doesn't read right hahah!!
Rushview - Jul 25, 2008 - 11:57 PM
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Sorted JP, am there tomorrow night for sure.
J_P - Jul 26, 2008 - 01:54 PM
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Awesome Rushview,
I'll be the guy in the tango outfit reluctantly doing Pats job on the mic!
Say hello when you can mate.
Rushview - Jul 27, 2008 - 01:46 PM
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Last night was cool fella. Saw you and Dougal on there but I didn't manage to catch any spot prizes over the kicker 
Dougal was doing some nice combos on the rails though, and a sweet FS Rodeo on the kicker.
Watching you guys makes me feel like I need more practice.
shelovesit - Jul 28, 2008 - 01:04 AM
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Went to CF for the 1st time on Sat night as I was in Manchester for the wkend. Thought it was OK but no better than any of the other domes.
Has there been any events at CF since it opened?
J_P - Jul 28, 2008 - 02:21 AM
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Hey Shelovesit,
Glad you enjoyed yourself. We have had one freestyle comp here so far:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Ns3g4DpIY
Just ignore the cheesy voice over!
Love2shred - Jul 28, 2008 - 11:17 AM
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looks like a good fun comp. shame it was called 'night ski' though. the corporate voice over is a bit gay as well. whats that all about?
anymore events lined up for cf?
hopalong - Jul 29, 2008 - 09:08 PM
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Just did my first session at CFe, and gotta say i was pretty impressed, and tho i havent been to Cas yet, id say CFe beats Tam and MK hands down. (no need to mention Swadlincote dry slope where i started out lol)
Did an hour and a half (14.00-15.30) for £14 (student discount yipee!) and there was practically no-one there for the first hour or so. they never even turned on the right hand poma, and there was never more than 3-4 people going down at a time...i lost count of how many runs i got in, but i know i managed to fit 3 in with only 9mins left before my time ran out lol.
Changing rooms were awesome, and the liftys didnt seem too miserable, even if they wouldnt let me skip the annoying turnstiles. grr
The lift tickets are pretty crappy, practically a reciept that you have to jab around in the slot, which aint too easy with gloves on- the sooner they start using cards/ laminates the better i reckon.
the only issue i had were two annoying skier kids that couldnt get on the lift to save their life....at least 6 lifts would go by EVERY time they attempted to get on, and in my haste to beat them down the slope (damn you fiddlily bindings), and through the gates, i ended up stacking it near the turnstiles
It seems that off-peak, CFe kicks ass....gotta love that seperate learner slope getting rid of a fair few newbie skiers, and they had a kicker and a box out to play on if youre that way inclined. I can see why it would get frustrating in peak hours tho...the gate entry from the lockers would get very busy....its blatently all about being an unemployed bum and hitting it in the daytime!
pete7:19 - Jul 31, 2008 - 05:39 PM
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hopalong wrote:
its blatently all about being an unemployed bum and hitting it in the daytime!
There's a lot of reasons I refuse to work normal days.
hopalong - Aug 01, 2008 - 02:14 AM
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pete7:19 wrote:
hopalong wrote:
its blatently all about being an unemployed bum and hitting it in the daytime!
There's a lot of reasons I refuse to work normal days.
haha....its less of a refusal, and more of a neccessity for me.... I just graduated from uni, and it seems a degree is little to no help in finding me a decent job
i figured that a day at CFe was well deserved after all the job-hunting!
now if GapYearCanada would just get back to me about availability, i could start planning my 08/09 season in Banff.....oh how i love leaving things till the last minute 
dmw1978 - Aug 02, 2008 - 10:52 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
I was at chill factore on thursday. Been there before. They have changed the lift pass to a flimsy bit of sh1t paper......PAIN IN THE ARRRRRRSE!! Anyway you may have seen me there.......I was the guy in the green pants and grey quicksilver hoodie carving huge great crevices in the snow with my arse, and using my board as a chew toy!!!!!!!!!! 
pete7:19 - Aug 03, 2008 - 03:23 AM
Post subject: Re: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
dmw1978 wrote:
They have changed the lift pass to a flimsy bit of sh1t paper......PAIN IN THE ARRRRRRSE!!
You're putting it in the wrong slot mate. 
dmw1978 - Aug 03, 2008 - 08:36 AM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
I love the wrong slot!!!!!!!!!!!
PiefaceUK - Aug 03, 2008 - 03:55 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
I went there yesterday for a Taster session (First time ever snowboarding and loved it) And I must say I was impressed with the tutor I had and it was alot of fun, in alot of pain now (Had a race to the bottom off a small slope and fell over, couldn't get back up so pushed myself to still win xD)
By the way, for the people who are complaining about the pass, they leave like pieces of string so you can attatch it to your trousers which makes it a hell of alot easier.
Im hopefully going back in a couple of weeks, so Im trying to find boots at the moment.
mike225 - Aug 03, 2008 - 08:37 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
the cf is my second home I love it there especially as there is a nandos 2 go 2 wen your done.
Double chicken pita extra hot ! mmmmmmmmmmm
pete7:19 - Aug 03, 2008 - 09:47 PM
Post subject: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
PiefaceUK wrote:
By the way, for the people who are complaining about the pass, they leave like pieces of string so you can attatch it to your trousers which makes it a hell of alot easier.
It's called elastic mate and I did make a big deal about it in my post last week. Again when I went last Monday the only people who had any trouble were two young skiers who didn't have the elastic. I think cfe could do more to advertise this, particularly if you don't need the rental desk.
Branny - Aug 04, 2008 - 10:02 AM
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have to say, we where extremely impressed with chill factorE last week.
The snow quality is possibly the best in the UK, it's well lit, the lifts are fast and comfortable (the queing system needs some though..especially at busy times) the price for a recreational session was reasonable, the permanent freestyle features are a blessing..real snow kicker, rainbow and butter box, gave us plenty of fun things to do for 1.5hrs (plus the extra 30 mins hiking !!)
It feels fresh and clean inside and the staff where friendly and helpful, the only down point was the wait for out alloted slot to start..but once we where in that was quickly forgotten...
okay this was a mid morning session, and not massivly busy but the lifts kept flowing, both sides where turned on, the paper "pass" is a bit flimsey..but not one of the 12 off us riding together had any problems with it!
i'm sure as these items get ironed out these minor points will be improved...anyone need an helicopter mechanic in Manchester?? i feel the need to relocate!!
PiefaceUK - Aug 04, 2008 - 11:06 AM
Post subject: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
pete7:19 wrote:
PiefaceUK wrote:
By the way, for the people who are complaining about the pass, they leave like pieces of string so you can attatch it to your trousers which makes it a hell of alot easier.
It's called elastic mate
and I did make a big deal about it in my post last week. Again when I went last Monday the only people who had any trouble were two young skiers who didn't have the elastic. I think cfe could do more to advertise this, particularly if you don't need the rental desk.
I didn't see your post lol. I mean I never really needed it anyway as I was going on the nursery slopes for a taster session. But I agree, they need to advertise it more, such as right infront of you when you get your ticket.
Plumsie - Jul 03, 2009 - 09:30 PM
Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: chill factore first impressions
I have finally made it to CFe for the first time on wednesday night for the freestyle night (Still a beginner to freestyle so didn't play game of shred).
I'm a regular at Tam and the slope is so different and required a slight change to my riding style but with a few runs under my belt it became naturally. The Poma was running slow due to a lack of lifties which made for some queues when it got busier.
I loved how clean it was and the park setup whilst providing entertainment for the more freestyle orientated was also welcoming for a newbie to the jibs and kickers.
The current deal of paying for 1.5hrs and getting 4 hrs was great. My only real complaint about the whole place was the pass system, The passes are fine to begin with but after 2 hrs of being stuffed into the slot with icy gloves on it the pass was starting to fall apart even though I had it on elastic.
Had a great time and will definately be going again.
Also want to say a big thank you to the guys at subvert for giving me bits to fix my bindings and ordering the bits that I should use rather than just bits that happen to fit.
Plumsie.
...............
Loving the size of the slope at Chill
munklefish - Jul 03, 2009 - 11:10 PM
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Ive just read the very first post on this thread and skipped the rest since its such a long thread. So, appologies if this has already been mentioned....
Your pass at Cfe will actually let youthrought the first turnstyle a good 5 mins (poss more) before your alotted time slot. This means you can actually be inside, strapped in, in the queue and ready at the lift in time for your actually slot.
Also, if you use the 'snowboarders' turnstyle between the changing area and the slope (the one on the right with the longer arm), it actually stays open for ages after someone uses it so you can easily walk in after them. I think agood 3-4 people can casually walk in each time it opens.
<secret_tip>
If you're extra keen to get slope side in time for your pass to start you can actually walk in through this same turnstyle when its closed because the arm is a couple of inches too short.
</secret_tip>
P.s. if you join you get 30% off slope prices AND a proper plastic proximity pass meaning no thin tickets to get crumpled.
pete7:19 - Jul 04, 2009 - 01:53 PM
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munklefish wrote:
....
Your pass at Cfe will actually let youthrought the first turnstyle a good 5 mins (poss more) before your alotted time slot. This means you can actually be inside, strapped in, in the queue and ready at the lift in time for your actually slot.
This has never been the case for me, not with paper tickets and not with my RF plastic members card. There was some old guy there last Wednesday who seemed to think he'd got through early and was beckoning others to follow him but mine had no effect on the barrier until my allotted time. Could be some inconsistencies here with certain tickets but I wouldn't guarantee you'd get in early.
If you're that desperate to gatecrash the system early you can always tag on to a lesson and go in the exit
munklefish - Jul 04, 2009 - 09:35 PM
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Every time ive tried it with a paper ticket, ive been able to get in several minutes early, ive also seen numerous other people do it. Maybe theyve recently changed the way the system works?
i do know however that the membership proximity card will only let you in during the exact time period you have booked, which seems a bit daft.
DTMVTEC - Jul 06, 2009 - 08:49 AM
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All chill barriers ahvge enough room to get your knee past when down..even ones on the slope. I never use my ticket as a ball ache just squeeze through with both strapped in on the slope ones.
munklefish - Jul 06, 2009 - 10:41 AM
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DTMVTEC wrote:
All chill barriers ahvge enough room to get your knee past when down..even ones on the slope. I never use my ticket as a ball ache just squeeze through with both strapped in on the slope ones.
Tsk! tsk! I trust you only use the slope time you have paid for?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
fenix - Jul 06, 2009 - 01:49 PM
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I can't wait for a member of the CFe staff to read this. We'll have bouncers on the turnstyles next time we go. lol
I have skipped the barriers before but only if i'm getting annoyed with my pass not working because its wet and curled up. I either need to stop falling over or maybe wear it round my neck. Do love it aftyer 8:30 on the 4 hour nights when you don't have to bother with the turnstiles any more.
munklefish - Jul 06, 2009 - 01:57 PM
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The passes are a little flimsy. They should make them shorter but thicker. That way theyt dont even have to waste more paper to make them thicker.
munklefish - Jul 06, 2009 - 02:01 PM
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pete7:19 wrote:
munklefish wrote:
....
Your pass at Cfe will actually let youthrought the first turnstyle a good 5 mins (poss more) before your alotted time slot. This means you can actually be inside, strapped in, in the queue and ready at the lift in time for your actually slot.
This has never been the case for me, not with paper tickets and not with my RF plastic members card. There was some old guy there last Wednesday who seemed to think he'd got through early and was beckoning others to follow him but mine had no effect on the barrier until my allotted time. Could be some inconsistencies here with certain tickets but I wouldn't guarantee you'd get in early.
If you're that desperate to gatecrash the system early you can always tag on to a lesson and go in the exit
Ive started going onto the balcony outside Chillis Bar, then abseiling down right next to the wall so as to land the other side of the turnstyles.
Gets a bit tiring by the 3rd run (having to go back out, then upto to chillis after each run), but its worth it for free boarding!
fenix - Jul 06, 2009 - 02:06 PM
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Still less tiring than my technique Munklefish. I get to the bottom. Take off my board and run back to the top lol
munklefish - Jul 06, 2009 - 02:10 PM
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Fenix,
You should try the Horse Drawn carriage. Its a longer route but you get to see some amazing scenery. Not to mention the ladies love it.
It is a little pricey however. I've been know to requisiton a small child from the the snow play area, and ride on their backs like a Saint Bernard to the top.
fenix - Jul 06, 2009 - 05:04 PM
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I'm looking to pioneer bungie boarding instead.
Snow anchor at the top of the slope enough bungie just to get me to the bottom then it pulls me back up. Don't even have to mess around with stepping out of a binding.
There must be some drawbacks but can't see them at the moment.
27Guy - Jul 06, 2009 - 07:16 PM
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I work there as a liftie and can't say I condone skipping past the turnstyle really, the slope has a set maximum capacity and if it's really busy and people sneek past the turnstyle it obviously goes above the max capacity which means the people who have paid get less runs because of the sneeky ones, etc.
Also, a while ago a chap who comes in snowboarding all the time and is pretty friendly with us lot was caught on the slope with no liftpass, he'd been out there a couple of hours and kept skipping the turnstyle but smiling and chatting to us lifties on the way past so no-one suspected, but he got caught and told off. He still comes in regularly though. Actually the same thing happened with one of the skiers in the race club so it's not just us snowboarders.
But if I see someone skipping the turnstyle I'm not nasty about it or won't give you a warning or anything, just ask you to prove you actually have a working pass that's all; seems fair to me?
Looks like we've got 2 kickers this week which (providing they've been shaped and in good condition) will be open all day everyday as well as a rail at the top and technine box at the bottom - happy days! 
Although I did have these 3 guys on skis who clearly were rubbish trying to 50:50 the rail the other day and came very very close to squishing their testes on it several times; told them politely to not do that anymore thankyou as I didn't fancy doing 1st aid on some guys crotch
munklefish - Jul 06, 2009 - 09:18 PM
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fenix wrote:
There must be some drawbacks but can't see them at the moment.
Isnt that what the bungee rope does?
fenix - Jul 06, 2009 - 10:02 PM
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27 Guys: Just get a stretcher ready tomorrow night for me trying to land the kickers lol.
27Guy - Jul 07, 2009 - 06:36 PM
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Finished early today but there's always helpful chaps on the go with the stretcher
Middle kicker seems fairly kind at the mo' just floats you over the top and doesn't really have much table-top to nail yourself on so would be a good one to practice stuff on.
Bottom kicker is fairly big and whippy, watching a chap trying 360's on it today and he kept spinning off-axis and landing on his tail... ouch!
I wanna see some backflips off you fenix
fenix - Jul 07, 2009 - 11:35 PM
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well I landed more kickers than i did last week 1 in 3 rather than 1 in 6 lol. You're right the top one is definately a bit easier to land. Glad i've got impact shorts and wristguards though
I did some spins on my back? does that count
m0nks - Jul 08, 2009 - 12:31 AM
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Was nice to hit some kickers with a fairly empty slope as to not embarrass myself
Couple of Indy's but not much else
27Guy - Jul 08, 2009 - 03:17 AM
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Indy's rock
(That's the only grab I can do as well but if you try and chuck your free arm up behind you in the air I always think in my mind 'hey I kind of look like Shaun White!' )
I really need to learn some freestyle stuff...
EDIT, fenix; spinng round + on your back = backspin! logically...
I have my own signature trick now called the McGuy it's where I catch my opposite edge and flip down the slope; flip over + frontwards = frontflip! logically
fenix - Jul 08, 2009 - 12:28 PM
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Yeah i'm definately going to sign up for a freestyle course when i get back from 2 Alpes. Just don't want to injure myself 6 weeks before my first proper mountain boarding trip.
Oh right The McGuy. I've done that trick a few times but didn't know what it was called
DTMVTEC - Jul 09, 2009 - 09:38 AM
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27Guy wrote:
Also, a while ago a chap who comes in snowboarding all the time and is pretty friendly with us lot was caught on the slope with no liftpass, - Yeah Hero clowes...
But if I see someone skipping the turnstyle I'm not nasty about it or won't give you a warning or anything, just ask you to prove you actually have a working pass that's all; seems fair to me?.. yeah always have a ticket just f uck using the turnstyle system its pants...
Although I did have these 3 guys on skis who clearly were rubbish trying to 50:50 the rail the other day and came very very close to squishing their testes on it several times; told them politely to not do that anymore thankyou as I didn't fancy doing 1st aid on some guys crotch
U cant ask people to stop there own progression? Id never listen to someone asking me to stop... If i wana break myself then i bloody will !
27Guy - Jul 09, 2009 - 06:11 PM
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Yeah but no but yeah... erm, you have to be a decent standard of skier/snowboarder before starting to learn freestyle really and these guys were only just doing snowplows; credit to them for having a go but it was way too dangerous.
Who is 'hero clowes'?
Whatcha driving these days then?