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DaveRapp 
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Post subject: Hemel - First Impressions
 Posted: May 06, 2009 - 07:17 PM
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First post: Mar 11, 2009
Total posts: 9
Status: Offline
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Today I spent four hours boarding at the snow centre and thought it would be worth putting down my own impressions of the place and finding out what anyone else who was their thought of the place.
Generally I found it to be a good slope, had good snow and considering I am a beginner easy to board on. The staff I also found to be friendly and approachable both of which to me are plusses. That and when their was a bit of a line for the lift they opened up the other one (although they did close it later). I also found the various patrons their equally friendly and their was a definate social atmosphere.
I would say it still has some teething issues, some of the vending machines don't work, but you can get round that by just going to the bar upstairs. So just wondering if anyone else was their and what they thought of the place? |
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sherlock
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Post subject: RE: Hemel - First Impressions
Posted: May 06, 2009 - 08:58 PM
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First post: Sep 02, 2007
Total posts: 1012
Location: supermoon
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i was there on monday and i loved it. if the vending machines not operating at the moment is the only thing you have an issue with, then i think they're running a good show 
the snow quality is vastly superior to milton keynes which is the only snowdome comparison i can make. i really enjoyed the ride as it reminded me more of being on a proper snowslope.
i like the fact that the lockers are essentially free (refunded £1 when you open the locker)
i would love it even more if it wasn't a tad more expensive than mk (at the moment anyway. i imagine they'll adjust their prices soon with enough feedback.)
... and if they ran girls freestyle coaching sessions <- i'll be bringing this to their attention shortly. |
_________________
...winter is coming...
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TomR
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Post subject: RE: Hemel - First Impressions
Posted: May 06, 2009 - 10:05 PM
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First post: Sep 11, 2008
Total posts: 304
Location: Bedfordshire
Status: Offline
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| How busy was it for the first day? Not boarded in ages but if i'm gonna go anywhere it's not going to be MK so might take a trip down Hemel. |
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DaveRapp
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Post subject: RE: Hemel - First Impressions
Posted: May 06, 2009 - 10:14 PM
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First post: Mar 11, 2009
Total posts: 9
Status: Offline
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It wasn't that busy in fact compared to MK it was reasonably quiet (then again I did go between 10am and 2pm) and my last experience of MK was a bank holiday (so it would be a bit skewed).
I'd say there were between ten-thirty people on the slope at any one time and on a few runs I was the only person actually using the slope (everyone else was either on the lift or behind me). Like I said, what impressed me was when the line for the lift got long they just started the other one up. |
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Mazz
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Post subject: RE: Hemel - First Impressions
Posted: May 06, 2009 - 10:21 PM
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First post: Nov 27, 2008
Total posts: 73
Location: Bearwood, Poole, England
Status: Offline
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POC
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Post subject: RE: Hemel - First Impressions
Posted: May 06, 2009 - 10:40 PM
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First post: Feb 08, 2008
Total posts: 150
Status: Offline
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Ive just gottten back from 3hours boarding at Hemel this evening (730-1030), the snow is great, nice and compact and you can really hold an edge, lifts ran like clockwork without one stoppage during my time there, staff were very friendly.
However, 20mins after getting there 65% of the slope was closed off for the ski racers, meaning all recreational skiing and snowboarding were forced to use a narrow portion of the slope, this then lead to a few more problems - skiiers standing at the top of the slope talking, thus cutting off another 50% of the remaing 35% of the slope! We had a couple of beginners with us and they really struggled with the narrow slope not to mention the sketchy dismount off of the lift!
All in all a bloody good slope, shame they chose to close most of it to the recreational users on opening night, felt like a bit of an 'up yours' to the snowboarders!
Wont stop me going though, need to find out how often they will be doing that, when they took the fences down the width of the slope was great! |
_________________
2010 Skate Banana 156, 2009 Burton mission blacked out, 2010 32 Lashed - SICK!
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dunx
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Post subject: RE: Hemel - First Impressions
Posted: May 06, 2009 - 10:50 PM
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First post: Oct 07, 2004
Total posts: 9071
Location: Herts, UK
Status: Offline
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The ski racers currently have the slope Monday and Wednesday from 7-9pm... so avoid these times. Hemel has a long history with the racers, so they should rightly carry on supporting them. They do need to be re-acquainted with snowboarding and the idea that many skiers are now doing what snowboarders are doing, but give them time to get their head around freestyle again.
This was the first day, but the general opinion seems favourable. I'd certainly say from my riding there that the snow is amazing.
We'll just have to see how the Acer Snowmec setup works and whether they get the pisting schedule right to maintain the snow. There's little moisture in indoor snow, which makes the base layers very fragile. Drilling holes for race poles or for rails destroys it fairly quickly and it needs time to reset. They have some good people there though, so let's see how they get on.
I've pointed Hemel management at this thread. |
_________________
SCUK Editor • Me on Facebook • Neverland
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Popa3
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Post subject:
Posted: May 07, 2009 - 08:56 AM
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First post: Jun 28, 2006
Total posts: 117
Location: London
Status: Offline
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Quote:
This was the first day, but the general opinion seems favourable. I'd certainly say from my riding there that the snow is amazing.
I'll second that, the snow is the best I've seen in a snowdome. Let's just hope it stays that way after a few month's use.
Other than that, I was impressed with everything, from the staff friendliness to the building itself...
The only sore point is the price though, I can't really justify £100 every week (there's 2 of us) for a freestyle session, so until they review their prices it'll only be a once a month treat.
Oh, and the Dunx Box, ooops sorry, the SCUK BOX, is very sweet indeed, and so are the rails, can't wait to hit them again...
On another note, it's good to see that MK is rising up to the challenge, the park setup for this week looks better than it has for a while (coincidence??) |
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POC
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Post subject: Re: RE: Hemel - First Impressions
Posted: May 07, 2009 - 10:37 AM
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First post: Feb 08, 2008
Total posts: 150
Status: Offline
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dunx wrote:
The ski racers currently have the slope Monday and Wednesday from 7-9pm... so avoid these times. Hemel has a long history with the racers, so they should rightly carry on supporting them. They do need to be re-acquainted with snowboarding and the idea that many skiers are now doing what snowboarders are doing, but give them time to get their head around freestyle again.
You sure about that Dunx? They closed the left side of the slope from 8 til 10 last night.
I was talking to one of the snowboard instructors who said about Hemel's relationship with the racers and the funding they put in place to help Hemel develop. Nothing against them at all, just a poor decision (in my opinion) to close so much of the slope on the opening night.
Not to mention the £1.20 the vending machine swallowed, AND I left my quid in the locker not realising it was refunded! DOH! LOL  |
_________________
2010 Skate Banana 156, 2009 Burton mission blacked out, 2010 32 Lashed - SICK!
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BartSimpsonhead
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Hemel - First Impressions
Posted: May 07, 2009 - 10:38 AM
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First post: Oct 25, 2004
Total posts: 3055
Location: Verulamium
Status: Offline
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I went last night too (first official opening night an' all.)
Booked a four-hour session 7 to 11 over t'interweb a few weeks ago, so was surprised when I turned up to see netting down the middle of the slope top-to-bottom dividing it in two (half for the Downhill Race Club, half for regular slope users).
Decided to have a drink in the bar first (very nice) and go on at 8. So was quite surprised when the racers, setting up the downhill poles, moved the netting back so they got 2/3rds of the slope. Their race session started at 8 and finished at 10pm (rather than 7-9pm).
I booked-in about 8-ish, and asked what the deal was with the slope being divided in two? Apparently the race club pay for exclusive use of 1/2 or 2/3rds of the slope twice a week, hence the netting.
Rather unfair, I argued, as having paid £35 for a session I only get to use 1/3 of the slope for two hours with no prior notice that it was being closed off (there's was nothing on the website saying 2/3rds of the slope would be closed that night when I booked, or on future Monday and Wednesday nights) – otherwise I would have booked for another night and got to use the whole slope without any restrictions.
One of the guys behind the desk said it's something they'll look to add/correct on the website in future (so people can avoid booking those nights if they choose), and they took my details and said that they'd probably send me some vouchers (for, er, something?) to compensate for the restricted slope use that night.
After the racers packed-up at 10pm there was maybe 15 boarders left on the slope for the last hour (which was nice!), and the snow was in superb condition. OK, one of the lifts had a bit of a dip/groove worm into the slope at the top (which could make it a little tricky to turn), but at least it was deep snow and not the base gouging wood 'n' nails that MK can have.
Every new slope has teething problems, and I was impressed by the managements willingness to listen to customer comments and their commitment to make improvements. Hell, one member of staff come-up and talked to us for five minutes in the bar and asked what our impression of the place was and if there was anything we'd change.
Hemel certainly trying to live up to it's 'centre of excellence' claim, so it's looking good for the future – roll on the freestyle nights. |
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"It's better to burn out, than to fade away..."
 Boardstore
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POC
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Hemel - First Impressions
Posted: May 07, 2009 - 10:47 AM
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First post: Feb 08, 2008
Total posts: 150
Status: Offline
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Barthead, I was one of the 15 boarders left, white Animal hoodie and Black pants. Say Hi next time  |
_________________
2010 Skate Banana 156, 2009 Burton mission blacked out, 2010 32 Lashed - SICK!
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The_Stepchild
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Post subject:
Posted: May 07, 2009 - 11:56 AM
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First post: Mar 05, 2006
Total posts: 174
Location: Leighton Buzzard
Status: Offline
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| after reading this I thought I’d add my experiences, I was there Sunday and Monday. In my opinion the atmosphere is friendly and the staff very helpful and chatty. I also really enjoyed the bar, with good views of the slope and it also had a nice chilled vibe. Now to the important bit the slope. The snow seemed was good, way better than MK. It will be interesting t see if it stays that way. I also liked the constant gradient. there were a few teething troubles with the Poma's but nothing major. all in all I can't wait to go back there!! the only downside it that I see it every day on my way home from work and always want to make a small detour! |
_________________
There’s A breville out back, John will do you a toastie
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gem82
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Post subject: Re: RE: Hemel - First Impressions
Posted: May 07, 2009 - 12:41 PM
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First post: May 07, 2009
Total posts: 5
Location: Some where in Essex
Status: Offline
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sherlock235 wrote:
i was there on monday and i loved it. if the vending machines not operating at the moment is the only thing you have an issue with, then i think they're running a good show
the snow quality is vastly superior to milton keynes which is the only snowdome comparison i can make. i really enjoyed the ride as it reminded me more of being on a proper snowslope.
i like the fact that the lockers are essentially free (refunded £1 when you open the locker)
i would love it even more if it wasn't a tad more expensive than mk (at the moment anyway. i imagine they'll adjust their prices soon with enough feedback.)
... and if they ran girls freestyle coaching sessions <- i'll be bringing this to their attention shortly.
Im conotemplating going to the first freestyle night on 15th but wondered whether there are any natural dips in the slope that you could used as a jump like at MK |
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SimonGoesSideways
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Hemel - First Impressions
Posted: May 07, 2009 - 12:54 PM
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First post: Dec 26, 2005
Total posts: 846
Location: North London
Status: Offline
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there isnt anything like that, as said above, its a smooth constant gradient.
I was there monday for the taster sessions, cant wait to get back out there ! |
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http://snowjib.wordpress.com/
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gem82
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Post subject: RE: Re: RE: Hemel - First Impressions
Posted: May 07, 2009 - 12:58 PM
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First post: May 07, 2009
Total posts: 5
Location: Some where in Essex
Status: Offline
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| cool...got a nice 5 hour session on next bank holiday, got a free hour for my birthday so £35 for 4 hours, cant complain and certainly cant wait.... roll on 25th |
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