Gill Weeks went to a meeting last night with the Xscape developers and a guy from Healthland.

Seems like they're undecided on snowmaking at this stage; either Acer Snowmec or Polar Snow. They had pictures of Snow Planet in Holland which, they say, is a similar design to Xscape. We think this uses Polar Snow.

Entrance will be more costly than Tamworth which means about £20 per hour. Membership to the health club will give you 20% off slope prices, but there will be no slope-only membership (Perhaps they should learn from Tamworth on this one.). Expected opening hours are 9 a.m. to midnight, later at weekends.

Seems like they're planning to use Swatch Access (type) technology to access lifts - which will activate when enter slope - leave slope and it'll stop counting, back in and starts again.

They confirmed two pomas and a magic carpet as lifts, and that the nursery area will be separated off from main slope. They also said that the main slope may be divided (where the pillars are effectively) so that they could close one side for pisting for example, or could build jumps on one side and leave other flat, or allow moguls to form on one side.... or whatever.

Snow making will begin in early April 2000 and the end of May 2000 opening date is on schedule.

Shops will include Ellis Brigham, Quiksilver, Wetherspoons and the usual fast food places, as well as a jazz bar.

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