Snowflex: Where is it and have you done it?

**snowsprite** · 06-27-2006, 10:32 AM

http://www.snowmaker.com/snowflex.html

There was something about this on tee-vee last night and I posted about it a few years ago. Anyway, I'm still interested in this as a summer skiing medium. I'd love to be able to train off season on it. It probably skis a hell of a lot better than Killington did all last season anyway!

Have any of you tried this medium yet? I know Roo tried the Dendrite or whatever. Roo, you ever get around to trying out the Snowflex? It's supposed to be much better than any of the other options.

Does anyone know if there are any places using this in the U.S. yet? I wasn't able to google up any info.

I hope somebody sacks up and builds something w/ this on the snow-impoverished EC. It would be groovy if any of the VT slopes at least built a terrain park to play on in the summertime. Or even to train in when we have no snow (which areas south of Stowe hardly ever do--at least last season).

Wishful thinking I know, but it would be great!

Sprite

**steve** · 06-27-2006, 10:35 AM

interesting wiki on it and other artificial ski slopes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_ski_slopes

Wiki also has a list of indoor places (some with real snow)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoor_ski_slope

**guermo** · 06-27-2006, 10:38 AM

It's huge in the UK. I met a guy at Craigieburn in New Zealand who was riding the whole mountain , chutes and cliffs that had never riden on snow before! He just had dry slope experience.
That said , If it's the only option , might be a good one.

The Ghost of Cyber Cop · 06-27-2006, 10:40 AM

I suprised this hasn't caught on in the US, especially with the boom in park riding. You could rake in the cash in the summer. Personally I like putting away the gear for the summer, but that's just me and a few I'm sure.

**P_McPoser** · 06-27-2006, 11:42 AM

That stuff looks cool!

**edg** · 06-27-2006, 11:48 AM

It's alright. Better than toothbrushes. Tends to be expensive, relative to both real snow and toothbrushes.

edg

**JMan** · 06-27-2006, 11:51 AM

i dont see how you can hit kickers on that kind of a surface. wouldnt the impact be too much or is it really soft and have a little give to it? how do u not catch an edge? pretty cool though.

**Sutter** · 06-27-2006, 11:53 AM

Briton Engineering Developments & Bearfire Group to bring winter sports to Dallas, Texas

Briton Engineering Developments are pleased to announce that they have been chosen to work alongside the Bearfire Group to supply and install their award winning Snowflex® surface system to the planned $375m Coolzone Winterplex project in Dallas, Texas.

Bearfire Group LLC has assembled a team of top industry professionals to design and build the Coolzone Winterplex, a new winter-themed entertainment venue and sports park planned for Dallas, Texas. In addition to teaming with industry leaders, the project has garnered support from former US Congressman Dick Armey with the aim of increasing tourism and revenue for the city.

The brainchild of Bearfire Group LLC, Coolzone Winterplex will combine an entertainment platform with family and extreme sports making it the world's first year-round, indoor/outdoor winter sports theme park.

"Coolzone Winterplex is a cutting edge-project that has been generating a tremendous buzz of excitement, first within our team and now among the theme park industry at large," said Charlie Aaron, president of Bearfire Group LLC. "By entering into business with talented industry professionals, Bearfire Group will ensure that Coolzone Winterplex is brought to fruition as one of the most unique and thrilling entertainment experiences on the planet."

Further to contracting the services of top-flight theme park designers and a successful park operator, Coolzone Winterplex is in the process of raising capital for the project, and is pleased to confirm that former House Majority Leader Dick Armey is assisting in these efforts. Mr. Armey will help in identifying and locating potential equity investors in the project as well as acting as an advisor to the company.

“This is a very exciting and innovative project and will be another economic boost to North Texas,” said former Congressman Armey. “And besides, I can’t wait to hit the slopes in Dallas!”

“The Winterplex aims at bringing the best of the Rockies to Texas,” said Charlie Aaron of Bearfire Group. “Today, US skiers and snowboarders wanting to enjoy their sport in the summer need to travel to places like Argentina. The Coolzone Winterplex will provide year-round snow sports for the first time ever in the States.”

Resembling an alpine skiing village and featuring first-rate hotel accommodations, fine dining and retail stores, the Coolzone Winterplex will offer the level of entertainment expected from a world-class theme park. The park’s main attraction is a 60-acre plus, 20-story outdoor ski and snowboard mountain which will be surfaced with Britons award winning Snowflex® surface system that mimics real packed powder and provides qualities and conditions like those of mountain snow. The mountain will be complete with chair lifts, a snowboard park with competition half pipe, toboggans, and snow tubing. In addition to catering to extreme sports enthusiasts, the park will also feature activities for the entire family including two ice rinks, an outdoor ice trail, a winter wonderland for children with snow, an outdoor concert venue, rock climbing, and rides.

The Ghost of Cyber Cop · 06-27-2006, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by dblatto

Briton Engineering Developments & Bearfire Group to bring winter sports to Dallas, Texas

Nice, we need to buy up all the condos and send down our gapers by the busload. Paybacks a bitch.

**crashnburn'd** · 06-27-2006, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by snowsprite

Maybe it's just my eyes, but doesn't it look like that giant booter in the center is going to send someone to a really big, really flat death?

**snowsprite** · 06-27-2006, 12:36 PM

No CNB! From the 411 I got on this show I was watching it's apparently really great to ride. People said it does not hurt to fall, it's very edgeable (unlike other snow imposters), and one ski area rep was expressing concern that because it is so forgiving he's worried about the ambulance factor.

Evidently, people who would normally not sack up and do certain things on regular slopes get very confident on this stuff and really go crazy as far as pushing their limits.

I really wish somewhere on the EC would set one of these areas up. My husband and I were discussing it and that tiny little pimple hill Woodbury in CT should set up a small park over the summer. Then I could go there and maybe I'd finally learn to snowboard and actually do something in the park.

Anyway, I guess the factor is how much does it cost. Also, is it something you can ski on in the winter...i.e., can you have it snow-covered and not mess up the material or will it make for bad snow cover. That info I could not seem to track down.

I wonder if any of the EC resorts would consider trying this. With the early end to our season and the need for area athletes/ski teams to train it would seem like a good option. Maybe it'll happen in my lifetime. I hope!

Sprite

**midget** · 06-27-2006, 01:57 PM

I read something about there being a place near denver that was going to do it, and build a pipe out of that stuff too. Not sure if it happened though.

And....yah, looks like flat death off an aerial booter.

**P_McPoser** · 06-27-2006, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by crashnburn'd

Maybe it's just my eyes, but doesn't it look like that giant booter in the center is going to send someone to a really big, really flat death?

It's your eyes. It's landing is shared with the little tabletop jump to lookers left.

**s.p.c** · 06-27-2006, 02:22 PM

don't eliminate hunter or mt. creek. i wouldn't be surprised to see one of the two moving in that direction espescially if the winters keep up at this awesome pace.

also, wasn't there talk of continental arena becoming an indoor ski park once the nets move out to brooklyn?

**steve** · 06-27-2006, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by s.p.c

also, wasn't there talk of continental arena becoming an indoor ski park once the nets move out to brooklyn?

Has nothing to do with the nets, but it will happen at the meadowlands:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meadowlands_Xanadu

**scottishskier** · 06-27-2006, 03:20 PM

Its a lot better than dendix for kickers but its hardly snow. Nicer to land on than dendix but still not great to ski on. Tends to wear out after a while giving way to sticky patches. That photo above is the dry slope in Aberdeen, Scotland. Not ridden there but meant to be good. The kicker in the photo is hydraulicaly adjustable. There is a decent landing there, just cant see it.

**RootSkier** · 06-27-2006, 03:27 PM

It has fucking moguls.

**fez** · 06-27-2006, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by dblatto

In addition to teaming with industry leaders, the project has garnered support from former US Congressman Dick Armey with the aim of increasing tourism and revenue for the city.

Peter: What's your name?
Congressman: Dick Armey.
Peter: Hahahahahahaha.... What's your wife's name? Vagina coastguard?

**Steven S. Dallas** · 06-27-2006, 03:32 PM

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Girl flex time to have sex
Look how long yuh have di rude bwoy a sweat
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**snowsprite** · 06-27-2006, 03:41 PM

I never heard that but I bet it's decent pole-dancing music!

Sprite

**s.p.c** · 06-27-2006, 09:13 PM

Mad Cobra is the shit!!! My mom bought that album then she heard what they were saying and immediately gave it to me.

Definately pole dancing music, glad it wasn't my mom doing the pole dancing.

ffff....

**Buzzworthy** · 06-28-2006, 11:05 AM

So when is the one in Dallas supposed to be done? The parental units live there now and boy it would be cool to ski/ride this stuff instead of the damn heat and flatness. Would like to try it someday.

edit: Dallas looks like late 2008 completion

Imagine the looks you get taking skis from SLC to Dallas.

Or I could just sit by their pool and drink dad's beer.

**Baconzoo** · 08-29-2006, 08:49 AM

Who has hit this shit? I was imagining trying to carve with my razor sharp edges on this material. It better be kevlar or else I'll carve down to the dirt. Do they restrict sharp edges or carvers?