Chill Factor / Xscape

[physichull]

Has anybody been to these indoor ski arenas before?

If so, how do they compare to the real thing? I went for a taster session today at the Chillfactor in Manchester and have never skii'd before in my life. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even if it was all a bit basic (and rightfully so considering I didn't even know how to clip snowboots onto ski's before today.

I will definately return again (at quite a large monetry cost, they are expensive!) to complete the beginners lessons and hopefully move onto the main slope before I go on a skiing holiday next winter.

Has anyone else on here learnt to ski from scratch at these places prior to going on a skiing holiday?

Also does anybody have any advice for somebody who walks with their feet at "10 to 2"? Would I be more suited to snowboarding? It is a bit more effort and strain on my ankles to keep the skis parallel while skiing but I think I could handle it once I get better.

 

[physichull]

I think there was a deal on for a weekend of begginers skiing lessons, for 3 people it was £200. Quite a good deal there.

 

[physichull]

Hoping to go to Chill Factor for the first time this week. Any regulars know when's the best day/time to go? Going for either a taster lesson or beginner lesson, can't decide! Lessons are bleedin expensive!

I went for the taster session and it was all too brief, I'd recommend go for the one that last longest. I needed the taster as I didn't even know how to put a ski boot onto a ski!

A word of warning though, any lessons you go in are in groups of mixed ages. This can become quite a problem when somebody thinks its a good idea for a 4 year old to have a go, for a bit of a laugh. The problem is, the young kids doing these lessons take up loads of instructor time and you just end up waiting around half the time for your "go down the slope", which is all very fleeting.