The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead News

Here are the park plans for The Hemel Hemsptead Snow Centre for Thursday and Friday.

Learn to ski or snowboard at Hemel on Valentine's Day.

Here's The Hemel Hempstead Snow Centre park plan for their leg of the ThirtyTwo European Tour next Wednesday.

The evening starts with a signing session in Snow and Rock and then a special freestyle park that opens at 6.30. Get the chance to meet and ride with the likes of JP Walker!

Here are The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead park plans for this week. Two kickers on the Main Slope for Thursday and a triple barrel bonk for Friday.

Don't forget we also have the 32 Team coming to our centre on Wednesday 25th January, there will be a park plan for that coming soon!

"I’ve never even been on a ski lift before," admitted Dame Kelly Holmes after enjoying her first proper experience on real snow at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead.

Since retiring as a professional athlete the first British Olympian to win double gold has relished the freedom to have a go at a range of sports that might previously have interfered with her career on the track.

With plans to go skiing early this year she was keen to ensure a level of 'snow confidence' before hitting the slopes and booked lessons at The Snow Centre to help her feel more relaxed on skis.

Unsurprisingly Kelly proved a natural and progressed rapidly from the centre’s nursery slopes to taking the button lift to the top of the main 160m slope. As a ‘toe runner’ she found it easy to lean forward and adopt a positive skiing stance although she described skiing as "much more technical than running".

Head of Snowsports, Pete Gillespie said, "Kelly’s obvious natural athletic skills combined with her ability to listen and act on instruction made her a delight to teach."

And Kelly was full of praise for Pete’s skills in delivering the lessons, saying, ‘Pete’s a great instructor. Some people are good at what they do but simply can’t explain the technique to others.’

She added, "As a beginner learning the basics in a controlled and safe environment would be of real benefit before hitting the slopes for real. I have had a fantastic time learning a new sport and having never been to an indoor snow centre before I found it a great experience and it's definitely worth well doing. I would highly recommend it."

As a Centre of Excellence The Snow Centre prides itself on offering the 'best snowsports instruction this side of the Alps' with 120 qualified instructors providing group or private lessons on the closest real snow to the centre of London.

Currently The Snow Centre is offering Ski & Snowboard Days for adult beginners with six hours of tuition for £169 – or a course of four one and half hour lessons for the same price. For details and bookings call The Snow Centre on 0845 258 9000 or click on www.thesnowcentre.com

For those who like an early morning session, great news as Monday to Friday The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead will now be open from 9am instead of 10am. Why not get that extra hour of practice in the morning to really get ahead before your next holiday?

An adult 1 hour Recreational Lift Pass is just £22 or £14 for members (Off Peak Time), or why not enjoy a whole day at The Snow Centre and purchase an All Day Lift Pass, which allows unlimited skiing/snowboarding between 9am – 5pm. This pass is available Monday – Friday (Off Peak Only) and is just £39 or £25 for members.

10% off for SCUK Members.

Here are The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead parks for this Thursday and Friday. With many of the regulars away it might be quite a good one for beginners.

Here's The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead park for this Friday.

6.30 to 8.30 is The Junior Jib Jam! It's free to enter for 16 and unders and there is £150 worth of Snow and Rock vouchers going to the best male and best female, spot prizes and free passes for the best festive fancy dress.

The park will still be open to everyone else. Slash Santa and you're definitely on the naughty list!

Nike Chosen Series - 01 UK Hemel Hempstead >>


The UK’s Andy Nudds was crowned Most Valuable Player at the opening tour stop of the Nike Chosen Series on Friday the 16th December at The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead.

The Nike Chosen Series is a nine stop European kicker tour for AM riders. The winner at each will go on to ride with Jamie Nicholls and the Nike Pro team in the Nike Chosen Sessions final to be held at an undisclosed location at the end of the 2012 season.

The purpose-built Kicker in Hemel Hempstead, created by local shaper Norm, his crew and the Nike shaping team, was The Snow Centre's biggest feature to date. The huge kicker had 13m to the sweet spot and it's being classed by attending riders as the best indoor UK kicker ever designed for a comp.

36 riders made up of faithful locals and shredders from as far as Scotland and France set upon the jump in a bid to grab the judge's attention. Standing up against the men, young female rider Becky Menday consistently cleared the kicker with some stylish nose grabs and FS180s on her way to secure the 'Best Girl' title.

With established UK faces Scott Penman and Sam Cullum throwing BS Rodeos against the new breed of Marc McClement and Jesse Smith's stylishly stalled out 5s and double front flips, alongside a 13-year-old Rowan Coultas showing what an Austrian Alp schooling can do for your riding; the judges had a tough time choosing the 10 man cut.

Finals took off where Qualis left, as Scott Penman attempted a sick one-footer that might have won him 'Most Creative' had he stuck it. That accolade instead went to best friend and trouble maker Angus Leith, who ignoring all conventional rules of Kicker riding, skipped the landing altogether and boosted a huge FS3 transfer to flat off the side.

Local rider Sam Cullum, instrumental in helping the shaping team build the kicker, deservedly took 'Best Style' on the night as he worked his way round the jump with a variety of tweaked 3s & 5s.

With time running out in the final well regarded UK rider Andy Nudds finally laid his contest jinx to rest as he powered through his spins, eventually stomping the UK's first indoor 1080 and claiming the 'Most Valuable Player' award.

The next Nike Chosen Series tour stop takes place in Tryvann, Norway on the 7th January 2012.

SCUK photos here.

Here's a few other edits lurking around from The Nike Chosen Series at The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead on 16th December.

Andy Nudds claims the first Nike Chosen Series tour stop and takes a spot at the Nike Chosen Sessions in April 2012.

Here's some pictures from last night's event.

The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead provided the UK's biggest Kicker of the year measuring a lofty 13m to the sweet spot.

The 10-man final hosted by Nike rider Jamie Nicholls provided a level of riding not seen before in the UK indoors. With double front flips, rodeos and 7s on show it was up to Andy Nudds to close down the night with a huge Frontside 1080, a remarkable first for a UK indoor slope.

Andy's win will guarantee an invite to the Nike Chosen Sessions held at an undisclosed location in the beginning of April. He will be joined by a further 8 tour stop winners from the remaining Nike Chosen Series events taking place throughout Europe this winter.

The Nike Chosen Sessions will give AM riders the opportunity to step up their game by sessioning with the Nike Pro team on an exclusive purpose built park.

The next Nike Chosen Series tour stop takes place in Hochkonig, Austria on the 28th December.

Best female: Becky Menday - Frontside 1

Most creative: Angus Leith - FS 3 Transfer Hard Way

Best style: Sam Cullum - Rodeo, Backside 5

Best overall: Andy Nudds - Frontside 3, 5, 7 & 10.

Andy is now invited to the Series Final and also won best trick with a 1080, possibly the first indoors in the UK.







Well done to everybody who hit that beast and also Hemel for getting right behind it. More photos here.

www.nikechosenseries.com

Here's The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead park for Friday's Nike Chosen Series.

The Nike kicker has been measured and has a 13 metre gap! This will be a great event for spectators, so it would be great to get lots of people coming down to watch.

To celebrate World Snowboard Day this Sunday 18th December, The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead are offering skiers and snowboarders the chance to win a £150 Snow+Rock voucher!

Everyone who visits the slopes this Sunday will automatically be entered into the draw. A winner will be chosen at random and contacted by phone Friday 23rd December 2011.

The Voucher can only be redeemed at Hemel Hempstead Snow+Rock by 31st March 2012.

If you can’t make it to Lapland you can at least take your child to see Santa in a traditionally snowy setting!

Santa has set up his wooden grotto at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead so girls and boys can visit him and tell them their Christmas wishes surrounded by real snow.

And of course no matter how good or bad they have been every child will receive an individually gift wrapped present from Santa to make their experience extra special.

But it’s not just the little ones who will be excited to visit The Snow Centre over the Christmas holidays; there are some fantastic courses available for kids of all ages to get involved. These group lessons will develop skills and technique in skiing or snowboarding in a fun, safe environment.

Children can safely get involved in snowsports from a young age and The Snow Centre is the perfect environment to develop confidence on the snow. Number One British Junior Skiier Max Baggio, who regularly practices at The Snow Centre was just four years old when he first hit the slopes:

“Skiing is so much fun I think everyone should give it a go, it can be challenging but it’s also really exciting and it gives you such a thrill. It’s also a great way to meet new people and make friends. I don’t think there is anyone who wouldn’t enjoy it!”

Christmas holiday courses are available for 4-6 year olds, 7-10’s and 11-16 year olds and take place over a choice of two or four days. The highly qualified BASI instructors will ensure every child will reach their own potential on the snow, while having fun doing so.

For families who will be enjoying a Staycation this Christmas holiday The Snow Centre has something for the whole family. And when everyone is worn out after their time on the slopes The Edge offers the perfect venue to relax. The Alpine style café with views over the slopes is offering delicious two course Christmas meal for only £14.95 but you will need to book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Two Day Christmas holiday courses cost from £40 (based on two one hour lessons for 4-6 year olds). A Four Day course in skiing or snowboarding for older children with 2 hour sessions each day costs £120. Snow Centre members benefit from discounts on these prices.

www.thesnowcentre.com or call 0845 258 9000. A visit to Santa on the snow costs just £7.00 and booking is essential, as are warm clothes and flat shoes!

Here are The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead park plans for Thursday and Friday.





Remember that next Friday is the Nike Chosen Series at Hemel, which promises one HUGE pile of snow. Voting is still open for the Burton Hi5 Golden Shovel Award.

The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead have launched a new product called the Adult Group Lesson pack to get you up and sliding for just £169. You can do that in one day or spread it across four 90 minute sessions.

Not only was the Morrow Jam 18 years old last night, but for the first time a skier won and deservedly so. The quarterpipe was amazing and a first for Hemel. If you want to see it again, we suggest you let the management know!

As usual, our galleries are quantity over quality. All on Facebook as usual, so don't forget to Like them.

MJ11 - QP 1
MJ11 - Rails 1
MJ11 - QP 2
MJ11 - Rails 2 + prize-giving

Just check out this first picture of organiser Rob Needham, who in his mid-forties is still in it for all the good reasons.

On Friday the 16th of December The Nike Chosen Series will launch at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead. Boasting the biggest indoor kicker seen in the UK this year it will be a unique event. The best home-grown AM riders will compete for a chance to ride alongside some of the world’s greatest Pros at the ‘Session’s Finals’ held in Austria in April.

Nike Chosen Series - Teaser from Nike Action on Vimeo.

With 25 top AM riders invited to the UK stop, there will be a further 25 spots available for amateur snowboarders who want to show what they’re made of and get noticed. For those not competing there will be an open Park created by local shaping crew DWA and music supplied by FBBB.

The Nike Chosen Series will have nine stops across Europe where AM riders will session in a jam format kicker contest.

The rider who is judged ‘Best Overall’ at each event will then join the Nike team riders and compete at the grand finals held at the Nike Chosen Sessions in April 2012.

For AMs who want to take their riding to the next level and to shred with some of the best riders on the planet, the Nike Chosen Series is the opportunity to show what you’ve got.

• As well as an Overall Winner, each country stop will have prizes awarded for Best Style, Most Creative Rider and Best Female Rider.
  
• The best tricks from each stop will be posted online and judged by Facebook likes throughout the season, the rider with the most votes will receive a wildcard into the finals.

Chosen Series - Full Tour dates 2011/12

16 Dec 11 - UK at HEMEL HEMPSTEAD with Jamie Nicholls
28 Dec 11 - AUSTRIA at HOCHKONIG with Gigi Ruf
07 Jan 12 - NORWAY at TRYVANN with Gjermund Braaten
14 Jan 12 - SWEDEN at FUNASDALEN with Kevin Backstrom
21 Jan 12 - ITALY at KRONPLATZ with Halldor Helgason
28 Jan 12 - SWITZERLAND at HOCH YBRIG with Nicolas Muller
04 Feb 12 - GERMANY at ZUGSPITZ ARENA with Ethan Morgan
11 Feb 12 - FRANCE at CHATEL with Gerome Mathieu
18 Feb 12 - SPAIN at VALLNORD with Jan Scherrer
01 Apr 12 - 07 Apr 12 - THE FINAL OF THE NIKE CHOSEN SESSIONS in AUSTRIA



Just to clarify, the hosting is by name only as some of the athletes may be unable to attend due to existing commitments.

For more information on the Nike Chosen Series visit www.nikechosenseries.com

Normal Snow Centre slope prices apply but entry to The Nike Chosen Series is free. For more information and entry prices visit The Snow Centre visit – www.thesnowcentre.com

The quarterpipe for Friday's Morrow Jam at Hemel is coming together. This will be a first for Hemel and something we think every slope in the UK should invest in permanently.

Check out the www.forwardlean.co.uk edit from last Friday's Burton Hi 5 at The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead. Features Calum Paton, Ross Needham, Andy Nudds, Cody Hierons and Rowan Biddiscombe.

Here's The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead park for this Thursday. Friday is Burton Hi5 and you'll just have to come and see what they've created. The DWA are determined to win The Golden Shovel this year and have a massive park build planned and a "secret weapon", which will be revealed on the day.

Check out Hemel's Hi5 facebook page.

If you have passed Hemel's level 6 standard in snowboarding or skiing and you have a passion for snowsports then why not become a qualified instructor?

The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead is recognised by BASI (British Association of Snowsport Instructors) as an official training centre and have BASI trainers on hand to assist you.

Every Tuesday 7pm – 9pm you can learn the benefits and what is expected of an instructor with their Ski instructor Training and Snowboarding Instructor Training Sessions. In these sessions you will learn valuable technical skills from their team of expert trainers. £39 non members or £27 members.

If you then decided you wanted to take the BASI Level 1 instructors course you can do that at Hemel too! The cost is £505.00 for five days and includes BASI registration fee, all slope fees, course materials and trainer’s fee.

For details on the courses please click here or to book a course please call Hemel on 0845 258 9000.

Here's the park for the Maverix & SCUK Happy Slamming event. With some cash prizes up for grabs and £100 winnable by anybody, plus a few throw down prizes, we reckon it'll be blast.

There's some great Christmas time courses for the nippers and budding freestylers.

At some stage most of us have endured the frustration of not getting our technique quite as perfect as we’d like.

You know there are improvements to be made but just can’t figure where you’re going wrong in order to correct your technique.

The answer could be to actually SEE how you ski or snowboard and discuss your performance with a qualified coach.



Available at many US resorts, video analysis of your technique is now on offer at The Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead.

If you haven’t already checked out the 160m slope at Hemel, it’s the closest real snow to the centre of London and offers by far the best instruction this side of the Alps. Recognised as the UK’s only Centre of Excellence by BASI (British Association of Snowsports) their qualified instructors can provide Video Analysis as an ‘add on’ to their private lessons.

One on one tuition followed by an in-depth analysis of your technique as you examine a video of your performance could be just the boost you need to take your skiing or snowboarding to the next level.

Head of Snowsports, Pete Gillespie, says, ‘Video Analysis is ideal if you’ve reached a plateau in your performance – at whatever level you ski or snowboard. It really helps to see yourself on screen and analyse the areas where you could improve – most people find it much easier to incorporate the instruction into their technique after they’ve watched their own performance on the slopes.’

Video Analysis is just £25 in addition to the cost of a private lesson and you’ll have a copy of the recording to take away as well.

Adult private lessons cost from £85 for non-members/£70 for members.

Contact The Snow Centre via www.thesnowcentre.com or call 0845 258 9000.

SCUK Members get a 10% discount at Hemel or 55% off Hemel's own membership scheme.

Check out the new season parks for The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead this Thursday and Friday.