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Original poster

Snow Dome?

26 replies

Takox · 11/02/2023 16:31

We are experienced skiers. We are unlikely to be able to take DC this year. Bearing in mind they can ski quite well, no need for lessons, which of the UK snow domes would be best to visit please. (It’s a travel insurance problem, so restricted to UK). Based in SE but happy to travel. Or is there a reliable snow watch for Scotland so we could try there? Thank you

OP posts:
Deviniaursula · 11/02/2023 16:34

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crumpet · 11/02/2023 16:35

Perhaps have some snowboard lessons to keep it interesting?

lovetosup · 11/02/2023 16:35

We went to Milton Keynes and enjoyed ourselves for a few hours

Havanananana · 11/02/2023 18:02

The two snow domes in the SE are at Hemel Hempstead and Milton Keynes. Both are good for a couple of hours on skis/snowboard, but that's about it. I would think that experienced skiers would be bored after an hour or two, but kids seem happy as long as they are on snow.

Hemel is the nicer of the two as far as snow is concerned, but there is much more to do in and around the MK snow dome - shops, cinemas, theatre, restaurants etc. - so after 2 hours on the snow, if you want to do something else, then MK would be the better choice.

XelaM · 11/02/2023 21:24

We're going to Aviemore for the week. I was told it's definitely NOT reliable weather-wise but we're risking it anyway 😂

We're taking the sleeper train from London to Aviemore and (weather permitting) intend to ski for 5 days and take the sleeper train back. At least Scotland has a number of ski resorts not too far from Aviemore, so hopefully some will be open.

Original poster
Takox · 12/02/2023 11:07

Havanananana · 11/02/2023 18:02

The two snow domes in the SE are at Hemel Hempstead and Milton Keynes. Both are good for a couple of hours on skis/snowboard, but that's about it. I would think that experienced skiers would be bored after an hour or two, but kids seem happy as long as they are on snow.

Hemel is the nicer of the two as far as snow is concerned, but there is much more to do in and around the MK snow dome - shops, cinemas, theatre, restaurants etc. - so after 2 hours on the snow, if you want to do something else, then MK would be the better choice.

Thanks- when you say ‘better’ snow do you mean steeper/longer or better quality?

is a tricky situation, DC has said she loves skiing, would love to take her but travel
insurance is hard- specialist cover is very expensive, and you cannot just accept no medical cover for the particular issue- they win’t do flight cancellation or
lost baggage either 😏

will look at aviemore. Had forgotten there. Went to Glenshee years ago but the webcam for there did nit look promising.

thanks any other comments welcome.

OP posts:
RhubarbFairy · 12/02/2023 12:56

We took out an annual pass at our local dry slope (South West, so no snow domes for miles). It was short and repetitive, but at least gave me my skiing fix over 21/22 when we hadn't been able to ski since February 2020. The DC enjoyed things like the moguls at the top.

Because we had an annual pass, we were happy with 2 hour stints. If we'd paid the day rate, I'd have been more inclined to stay longer for the best value.

The cost of snowdomes, particularly for all of you to go, is very high. I looked into Chill Factore as my parents live an hour away, and it was about £200 for the 4 of us for a couple of hours. I know you said specialist insurance is expensive, but how does it compare to a couple of visits to a Dome?

Havanananana · 12/02/2023 16:37

The snow in Hemel is "better" (IMO) because they look after it better - so there are not too many icy patches and it is regularly groomed. On the occasions I've been there it also seems to have a better atmosphere and it seems better organised. MK is fine - but I prefer Hemel for the snow. But as I wrote above, there is far more to do in MK close to the snow dome (the Xscape is in the centre of the city) than there is in Hemel.

dew141 · 12/02/2023 16:45

We've gone to Hemel quite a few times as it's near us. Nice cafe overlooking the slopes but you're down the slope in about 5 seconds.

It's ok for a few starter lessons for beginners but I wouldn't go beyond that, particularly around ski season when it can take time to queue for the lifts.

Original poster
Takox · 12/02/2023 17:47

Thanks all. Food for thought. May consider driving to Italy/France so no baggage/cancellation issues. We have done it before but for a week. This would only be for a few days. If went to a snowdome would
make a weekend of it, hotel, shopping etc. would be a one off not really looking at season ticket.

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Deviniaursula · 12/02/2023 19:25

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RhubarbFairy · 12/02/2023 21:36

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But not for Easter. First week of the holidays is early this year (Sat 1st April). We're heading to Les Arcs.

Deviniaursula · 13/02/2023 07:26

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RhubarbFairy · 13/02/2023 08:27

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Yes, what else?

Deviniaursula · 13/02/2023 08:54

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RhubarbFairy · 13/02/2023 09:06

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Well, we're there a week earlier than many Snowheads based on conversations I've been having over there, so I'm feeling okay about it. Expecting some slush in the afternoons as we come back into 1800, but mostly planning to spend our days higher than that.

RhubarbFairy · 13/02/2023 11:54

Ah. An argumentative idiot. Should have guessed, really.

Original poster
Takox · 13/02/2023 15:33

Oh have missed a load of drama! Hope everyone is ok!

OP posts:
RhubarbFairy · 13/02/2023 16:44

Takox · 13/02/2023 15:33

Oh have missed a load of drama! Hope everyone is ok!

All good. Just someone snidely wishing me luck about skiing in Les Arcs for the first week of April. Insinuating there would be no snow. Stupid.

Original poster
Takox · 13/02/2023 19:19

Probably one of the most snow sure for Easter…..weird😉

OP posts:
XelaM · 13/02/2023 21:34

We're in Aviemore now and there is snow!! ❄️ ⛄️ Well, not a huge amount, but enough for skiing. We had a lovely day today

skilikeagirl · 13/02/2023 21:56

Back to the topic the lessons at the domes are pretty good even if you can ski. My younger kids do the skills development at Hemel here and there throughout the year and they learn a bit of backwards skiing and practice drills on the slope (stork drills and the like). Going up and down alone is pretty dull but the instructors make it more fun.
That said I wouldn't make a weekend of it. I suppose you could combine with Harry Potter studios or something that's not too far away but I'd rather do a quick weekend to the Alps and do carry on only if you are worried about your bags (touch wood but things on that front have improved a lot since last year).

RhubarbFairy · 14/02/2023 06:46

Pleased to hear that @XelaM. Your gamble paid off!

XelaM · 14/02/2023 13:29

RhubarbFairy · 14/02/2023 06:46

Pleased to hear that @XelaM. Your gamble paid off!

Yes, we were so lucky with the weather yesterday and today! It's sunny and not too windy and there is snow at the top of the mountain (and they make snow at the bottom) so it's been great. Tomorrow it's going to be super windy though I hear

MoomiMama · 19/02/2023 12:30

We are competent skiers and went to a snow dome during the Covid time when that was only option. It was fun for a couple of hours as a PP said. But it’s still a faff with all the gear etc so I would only go again if our travel time there and back was less than we would want to spend skiing at the dome - ie 2 hours max.
Regarding insurance, I assume one of you has complex health conditions. If you are worried about luggage why not just check that in in the name of the person who doesn’t? Airlines will sort you out with alternative travel if they cancel flights. The health/injury stuff would be more of a problem if you are not covered but you might be under global HIC reciprocal stuff? Or you might be able to get just ski injury insurance from
resort? (They often sell something along those lines with the lift passes but I don’t know the terms).