Snowboarding
More on the UK Snowboarding Scene
In July I published a brief tirade about Great Britain’s decision to cut funding to Olympic riders despite an improved showing in Turin. This post at Afterbang got me thinking about the UK scene a little more, as I’ve noticed more news, movies, photos and blogs coming from across the pond in recent months. It seems to me that there’s a good thing growing in the UK.
One thing I read a lot about when it comes to riding in the UK are the indoor slopes. I don’t get the sense there are many places to ride in the UK, nor is the climate very suitable; ergo, indoor slopes. I tell you, I really like this idea.
My non-scientific impression seems to be that these indoor facilities are particularly popular with park riders, which makes me think that they would even be popular here in Southern Ontario, where we actually do have a fairly decent winter, albeit with only half-assed slopes to enjoy (compared to out west, anyway). I know indoor slopes are expensive to operate, but I am sure that every single rider I know would hit one up during the eight months we can’t snowboard around here. I wish someone would step up and build one.
Anyway, these indoor slopes seem to be nothing but good news for UK riders, who are building quite a scene over there. Keep it up!
Discussion
7 comments for “More on the UK Snowboarding Scene”
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Yup, it is true. The weather, especially in the last ten years or so, has totally done in the winter seasons in Scotland at e.g. Cairngorm, Glenshee, Nevis Range, Glencoe and the Lecht. It used to be that snow was pretty much guaranteed. Now it is a bonus - or at least very unpredictable. The snowdomes are a boon, though they are expensive on an hourly basis.
Hey Paul,
Thanks for the comment. What are the hourly rates typically like?
–adam
At the Glasgow snowdome a 2 hour recreational session off-peak is
WOW, seriously? That’s extremely expensive. That’s almost a daily lift pass for most major resorts in North America.
That’s insanely expensive for two hours. What are the wait times? I’m guessing there are no lifts, you just walk back up and wait for your turn to have a go at the run?
There was one planned near Giants Stadium in New Jersey in the complex called Xanadu, I heard they nixed it though. If they were to build it though, I’d love to get a season (or in this case, off-season) pass to it to perfect the rails and jumps…
Hi guys,
The indoor slope that I ride at Castleford is 150m long with a button lift at each side of the slope. I only ever ride there on a “freestyle” night - which occurs twice a week, on a Thursday and Friday evening.
there are lifts
A freestyle session costs either
I forgot to mention that there are better examples of indoor slopes in Europe. I don’t know what their costs are like, how much they charge to ride, but they definitely show that there is room for improvement.
Gav