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djhustler 
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Post subject:
 Posted: May 18, 2009 - 02:59 PM
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First post: May 13, 2009
Total posts: 203
Location: Watford, Herts
Status: Offline
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My lesson was last Thursday at 8.45pm (that's one of the only times they do level 2 board).
I asked for a regular board when i got mine, didn't even think to check.
As for a level 5 lesson, is that Board skills development? Looks like Tue/Thu/Sun only:
https://booking.thesnowcentre.com/lessoncalendar.jsp
My instructor said straight to Level 4 for me next, but quite fancy a 3/4 combo, makes the most of the 30% discount then, 3 hours on the slope, with instructor for £52.50, not bad. |
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If at first you don't succeed, you're not good enough yet!
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rcain
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Post subject:
Posted: May 18, 2009 - 04:13 PM
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First post: Mar 17, 2009
Total posts: 6
Location: London
Status: Offline
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I went to Hemel yesterday and thought it was fab. Ok.. slope not as long as MK .. but everything else was cool .. and there are bound to be teething problems but all in all was a great morning.
Staff were extremely friendly.
Loved the deco in the actual snowdome as a lot brighter than MK
Cafe and view from cafe brill.
Free parking and lockers
Snow was great and really enjoyed the slope to be honest as could get some great speeds up.
I haven't got anything negative to say and I'll defo be joining as its half the distance for me than going to MK.
My only one big suggestion would be to have a decent sound system playing decent toons installed but until then my ipod will do ! |
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dunx
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Post subject:
Posted: May 18, 2009 - 04:33 PM
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First post: Oct 07, 2004
Total posts: 9313
Location: Herts, UK
Status: Offline
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Well, I can now give my first impressions as a paying customer!
I went Sunday at about 3pm with a my mate Bex across the road, her son and my son. Both the adults were snowboarding, but our sons ski. We intend to beat this out of them soon.
New receptionist took a while, but hey ho. Ski and boot hire for the boys was really quick. Didn't use hire boards, but they are all Head twin tips and set up duck so any board can be used by any rider. They have a funky quick stance adjusting bindings. Just flick the latch up, change the angle and lock them off again.
When we turned up there was still some slalom going on, but this was soon cleared giving us access to the whole slope. What that did mean was that where the netting had been was some really nice loose snow. Where the slalom had been was quite icy, but you'd expect that. The race team manager guy (who I met when we were building the rails) even said they just needed a few snowboarders now to flatten out all the snow 
There were a few people on there who really couldn't snowboard or ski. We weren't asked at reception about whether we met the minimum standard, so that needs to be tightened up.
Music was very quiet, so couldn't really tell you what was playing. Did spot "Ticket To Ride" by the Beatles at one point 
One lift was fast, the other slower. Both had serious undulations developing and I'm not sure how often those are flattened. As people know, most other indoor slopes have resorted to placing a matted track beneath the Poma tracks. There's no such track at Hemel, so hopefully they'll use muscle power to fill in those holes as they're not much fun and I'd prefer a smoother ride up. Having said that, my son preferred the slow lift as there was more bumps to ride on the way up. Bloody skiers!
The lifties were all really good fun and happy to help my son on the Poma as he's too light to pull it down. He eventually got it though and both the kids had a really good time. Bex is up for coming to Park & Ride this Friday and hopefully I'll be there too.
There was probably about 40 people on the main slope, a few people having lessons and loads of kids on the ringos. I spoke to Dave Surrey (who owns the slope) and he was happy with the number of visitors for the time of year.
All in all, we all had a great 75 minutes on the slope with no sign of being asked to leave! My son is keen to go back although "probably not every week". |
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SCUK Editor • Me on Facebook • Neverland
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nickmotture
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Post subject:
Posted: May 18, 2009 - 04:41 PM
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First post: Jan 09, 2006
Total posts: 10414
Location: Washington DC USA
Status: Offline
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djhustler
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Post subject:
Posted: May 18, 2009 - 05:19 PM
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First post: May 13, 2009
Total posts: 203
Location: Watford, Herts
Status: Offline
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There is a sign next to the "Entrance to snow" door stating minimun requirements needed to ride the slopes.
But surely should be a question of the staff when booking.
I'm still very new to this but my wife and I did wonder this and thought you may get a card you need to show that says you are good enough/passed lessons etc. Seems not then. |
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If at first you don't succeed, you're not good enough yet!
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sideshow
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Post subject:
Posted: May 18, 2009 - 06:10 PM
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First post: Nov 06, 2007
Total posts: 311
Location: down town kings
Status: Offline
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SnowPlankton
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Post subject:
Posted: May 19, 2009 - 12:11 PM
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First post: Oct 29, 2007
Total posts: 15
Status: Offline
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| My wife and I went on Sunday as well and we were asked to sign register thing (which I think was to say we met recreational standard). Although, with the quick collection of tickets via the machines, I don't know how they're going to police this. |
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djhustler
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Post subject:
Posted: May 19, 2009 - 12:14 PM
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First post: May 13, 2009
Total posts: 203
Location: Watford, Herts
Status: Offline
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| Maybe if they caught someone on the slope who couldn't do the turns etc then they could ask your name, see if you had signed to say you met the requirments, then if they thought you didn't, kick you off? Just a thought. |
_________________
If at first you don't succeed, you're not good enough yet!
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TomR
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Post subject:
Posted: May 19, 2009 - 01:54 PM
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First post: Sep 11, 2008
Total posts: 304
Location: Bedfordshire
Status: Offline
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I had to sign the register when I went, which IMO is more concrete and formal than the patronising sounding question that MK ask (and to be honest they must get fed up of asking?).
I think my only crit for Hemel aside from the quiet, often dreary music would be the board/ski rack in the bar - it's right next to the stairs ready for anybody to do a runner with your kit, and there's no rail/loops to lock your kit to if you choose to. |
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dunx
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Post subject:
Posted: May 19, 2009 - 02:18 PM
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First post: Oct 07, 2004
Total posts: 9313
Location: Herts, UK
Status: Offline
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I didn't sign anything, but all four of us were members, so perhaps they assumed we could ride - not a reasonable assumption and as stated, less patronising than a question when you have a snowboard under your arm and less hassle than signing a register.
Good point on the security of equipment. I have board locked my stuff up at MK before 'cos mates have had boards pinched from under their noses before. I'd be tempted to pop my stuff back in the car, but may not be an option for others. You could always lock them to the bannisters, but I'm sure they'd rather you didn't. |
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SCUK Editor • Me on Facebook • Neverland
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sideshow
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Post subject:
Posted: May 19, 2009 - 02:23 PM
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First post: Nov 06, 2007
Total posts: 311
Location: down town kings
Status: Offline
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navychick
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Post subject:
Posted: May 19, 2009 - 05:48 PM
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First post: Dec 04, 2008
Total posts: 78
Location: here there everywhere
Status: Offline
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i've been twice and both times was asked to sign the form at the desk to confirm we were rec standard. they've also sorted the issue of the SCUK discount - first time i went i got given a sticker with my name and slope time written in pen which was kinda poo as it fell off after 2 mins! next time round had printed tickets 
question tho, first time i went i got my SCUK discount on the whole transaction, both myself and bro. last time i just got it on my ticket not the whole thing - is it supposed to be the whole transaction or just on the card holders? |
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TomR
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Post subject:
Posted: May 19, 2009 - 07:16 PM
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First post: Sep 11, 2008
Total posts: 304
Location: Bedfordshire
Status: Offline
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dunx wrote:
I didn't sign anything, but all four of us were members, so perhaps they assumed we could ride - not a reasonable assumption and as stated, less patronising than a question when you have a snowboard under your arm and less hassle than signing a register.
Good point on the security of equipment. I have board locked my stuff up at MK before 'cos mates have had boards pinched from under their noses before. I'd be tempted to pop my stuff back in the car, but may not be an option for others. You could always lock them to the bannisters, but I'm sure they'd rather you didn't.
Maybe being a member you've already agreed to it in the first instance for the duration of your membership, as being a member probably implies you're going to attent sessions repeatedly.
Assuming there's 3rd party insurance cover for slope users, if you're a non-member and take somebody out, paralysing/killing them and haven't signed the register would that be sufficient for the insurers not to pay out? If so then another reason for them to check more often, i certainly wouldn't want to get mowed down to find the accident's not covered. I guess it depends how PI works in relation to voluntary extreme sports.
Agreed on them probably not wanting people to lock their kit to the bannister, plus don't you have to walk between the bannister and rack to get to one of the lifts? So probably a H&S issue as well if you did that. Sticking stuff in the car's obviously the safest, but going downstairs from the slope, across to your car, back again then up top to the bar is a bit of a mission when all you want to do is slump in a chair with a beer. |
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dunx
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Post subject:
Posted: May 19, 2009 - 10:36 PM
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First post: Oct 07, 2004
Total posts: 9313
Location: Herts, UK
Status: Offline
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navychick wrote:
question tho, first time i went i got my SCUK discount on the whole transaction, both myself and bro. last time i just got it on my ticket not the whole thing - is it supposed to be the whole transaction or just on the card holders?
Naturally only the member gets the discount, so you had a bonus. SCUK membership vouchers available for all discerning brothers!  |
_________________
SCUK Editor • Me on Facebook • Neverland
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jacks
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Post subject:
Posted: May 20, 2009 - 02:01 PM
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First post: Jul 06, 2006
Total posts: 724
Location: LONDON
Status: Offline
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dunx wrote:
I didn't sign anything, but all four of us were members, so perhaps they assumed we could ride -
Im a member and I did get asked to sign the register. Guess I just look like I cant ride.
Had a great time, very good snow, two well functioning lifts, pleasant staff and a great viewing area from the bar. Is really well thought out there I think.
Parked up the hill which proved a bit harsh on my tired legs at the end of the night. Note to self, park down hill! |
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