Snow Centre @ Hemel Hempstead

[PestoSurfissimos]

Evening all!

I want to test my knees out on snow before committing to a trip this winter. Both are dodgy but my physio has signed me off & says I’m good to go.

It’s a long drive for me and I’m a bit worried about getting home again should it not go too well. So, I was wondering if any of you have skied here before & whether you have any tips please.

I’m used to skiing in the UK on dry slopes but have never used a snow dome before. Oh, and I’ve been snow skiing now for 42 years.

We've been quite a few times. Kids all had group lessons before venturing on to real snow on holiday. DH and I had 1 private lesson before we went just to rember what to do as it had been 8 years since we'd skiied. We found the private lesson really useful just to get some confidence back and get us doing things we wouldn't have tried ourselves.

Is there anything specific you want to know?

We use it quite often. It's a good facility. If knees are dodgy I'd recommend getting there when they open (9, I think) for nice groomed snow. Pre book your lift pass as it gets busy this time of year.

Well, do they do Open Practise all the time and do I have to book a slot in advance. Tricky as I will find it hard to commit if I am coming via M25.

I will pre-book a lift pass, thank you. Do they have specific time slots?

Ok, that kind of info is all on their website. Time slots are at 15 minute intervals. They recommend arriving 30 minutes before your session starts. If you're unsure about traffic, aim to arrive an hour earlier than required and sit and have a coffee if you're early. You can sit and watch the slopes from the cafe.

Ah ok, thank you. And, do you wear your own ski gear usually or would that be a no no?

Yes definitely take your own ski gear. You can hire jackets, sallopettes, boots and skis if you don't have your own. Helmets are free to hire I think and compulsory. You need to buy gloves/socks if you don't have your own.

Fab, thank you. I did wonder. Normally on the dry slope I just bring my boots, socks & gloves. But I will also bring my helmet & ski pants & jacket.

Good luck Pesto! Hope the knees hold out! Have you thought about knee braces? Double knee ACL DH uses one on both knees now.

Thanks Massistar! I’ve got 2 knee supports, physio said I don’t need braces. And today I had my first induction session at the gym, where I’ve been referred to for special exercises to build up all the surrounding muscles. Gym man said I need to do 18 sessions (3 per week) to get ski slope fit. That takes me up to Christmas approximately, if I can fit them all in. So revised plan is to delay testing myself out at the Snow Centre.

Cool! Fingers crossed. Hit the physio hard and you'll make it this season!