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  4 of 5, "Better Than MK" 02/09/2009 @ 20:29 |
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| 7 of 7 people found the following review helpful: |
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| Price Per Hour |
| Check the website...I paid £27 for 2 hrs |
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| Times Visited |
| Just Once |
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| Review Detail |
Visited Hemel Hempstead this afternoon for my first visit since it opened. Having been a (fairly) regular at MK for the past few years, I was keen to see how Hemel measured up as it's only 50mins from where I live compared to 1.5hrs to MK. This review is really an MK v HH therefore.
Prices
Off peak
1hr: MK = £16, HH = £18
2hr: MK = £25, HH = £28
Peak
1hr: MK= £21, HH = £22
2hr: MK = £31, HH = £33
Friday Freestyle Nights (7-11pm)
Both £35 I believe.
Both include hire of boards and helmets. MK is the cheaper of the two domes, however, Hemel offers a membership scheme which is £100 per year (£45 if you are an SCUK member) which offers 30% off all prices.
Parking
MK = pay & display from 7am-6pm. Costs from 25-80p/hr depending on which section of the car park you're in.
HH = free parking
Lockers
MK = good sized lockers, cost £1 BUT THEY KEEP YOUR POUND! You used to be able to get 3 locker tokens on freestyle night, not sure if this still applies.
HH = smaller lockers, also costing £1, BUT YOU GET YOUR POUND BACK! I fitted my board bag, shoes, clothes and helmet in one locker so they're not that small. If you need more space, use another locker, it doesn't matter when it returns your money.
Changing Area
MK = small changing cubicles, never found one where the lock is intact and they always seem very dark.
HH = good sized changing cubicles - can fit you and all your gear in. Locks work and well lit.
Showers
Not used at either so can't comment.
Toilets
Much of a muchness. HH is obviously newer and therfore "looks" nicer.
Slopes
MK = 170m twin main slopes served by 2x Poma button drags + beginner slope served by magic carpet
HH = 160m main slope served by 2x Poma button drags + beginner slope served by 2x rope tows
Snow conditions were better at HH than any time I had been at MK which frequently has icey patches and/or deep slow snow. HH had just the right amount of snow which seemed fresh and crisp, pretty evenly spread across the slope.
The drag lifts at MK frequently have bits of matting showing through and/or pieces of ply wood exposed. Drags at Hemel were in good condition and even saw one of the snow patrol working on the half way point exit with a snow shovel. Never seen anyone at MK attend to the drags.
MK quite often only has one drag open. HH started up the second lift as soon as it started getting too busy for one.
Staff
I've never had any member of staff on the slopes at MK aknowledge me, let alone engage me in conversation. For the most part they look like thoroughly moody teenagers. At HH today a snowboard instructor on the lift in front of me randomly started chatting to me about the Poma lifts and I had a joke with one of the slope patrol about someone losing their ski as I had to steer round it on the lift.
Bars/Refreshments
MK = Dingy lower bar which often doesn't seem to be staffed + small upstairs bar which is ok but small.
HH = Large plush upstairs bar and Costa Coffee with plenty of comfy chairs and sofas plus "outside" viewing balcony (no food or drink allowed on it though).
Other
At MK you obviously have all the other facilities that Xscape offers such as cinema, skydiving thingy, shops, bars, nightclubs and food places so is more of a place for a day/night out and there's plenty to do for people who don't board.
At Hemel, well apart from the bar, you've got a big Snow + Rock but that's it. |
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| Strengths |
Changing rooms
Lockers
Free parking
Snow conditions
Drag lifts
Staff
Bar/coffe shop
and, for me, significantly closer than MK |
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| Weaknesses |
Prices (if you're not a member)
Not sure what it'll be like when it's super-busy. |
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| Similar Slopes Visited |
| SNO!zone MK |
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 5 of 5, "Best fridge I've ever been to!!!" 29/06/2009 @ 14:01 |
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| 2 of 3 people found the following review helpful: |
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| Price Per Hour |
| £18 p/h, £40 for 4hrs |
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| Times Visited |
| Just Once |
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| Review Detail |
| Ok, so Hemel is the only snow dome I've ever been to but do plan to visit Tam and MK in the near future. I've gotta say that this place was pretty impressive. Unfortunately, I don't own any hardware just yet so had to make use of the equipment at the slope, which I found was fairly decent stuff (New 'Head' gear). The snow was very good, although I hear that the domes can get a bit icey in places but didn't seem to come across any patches whilst I was there. Only one complaint, there was a moment when a skiing group decided to have a lesson across the whole width of the slope, although there's a training area right next to it... In all, I feel that this is an excellent place to continue my progression in snowboarding and will be looking forward to hitting my first kicker/rail e.t.c. very soon! Also, in comparison to MK and Tam, £40 for 4 hours seems pretty good value. Annoyingly, it takes me 2 hours to get there but in my opinion, well worth it! |
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| Strengths |
New equipment
Good snow |
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| Weaknesses |
| Could be a bit closer but that's just a personal preference. |
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| Similar Slopes Visited |
| uhh... Borovets? |
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