Work starting on 'Alpine' fun centre

Ben Rooth

August 15, 2006

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THE biggest indoor ski centre in the country will bring the Alps to Greater Manchester when building work starts next week.

The é31 million development, which will be called Chill Factore, will be built at the side of the Trafford Centre and use "real snow" to ensure an authentic Alpine experience.

The venue is the first of its kind in the north west and will contain two environments - the crisp outdoor chill of a ski resort andthe warmer atmosphere of a mountain village.

SLOPE: How the biggest indoor ski centre in the country will look when it is completed.

Slopes

The "cold" area will include three interconnected snow slopes - each catering for different abilities - with a combined length of 180 metres and a total drop of 40 metres. Up to 250 people will be allowed on the slopes at any time and the centre will employ more than 260 people when it opens in October next year.

A consortium of backers are behind the project which also involves Trafford Centre owners Peel Holdings. They intend to build a rock-climbing wall, a toboggan run, an indoor skateboard park and a children's snowplay zone where youngsters can build snowmen and throw snowballs. A separate "warm" zone will feature Alpine-themed bars specially designed by Austrian craftsmen and restaurants with panoramic windows and balconies overlooking the slopes.

The 250,000 sq ft building will overtake a Milton Keynes ski complex as the biggest indoor Alpine centre in the country.

Experience

Peter Moore, chairman of the management team behind Chill Factore, said: "Chill Factore is much more than a conventional indoor ski slope - it offers a complete leisure experience that people will want to return to time and time again.

"With a separate nursery slope, a toboggan run and a snowplay zone for the kids, the activities will be outstanding but the atmosphere off-piste will also form a key part of the enjoyment.

"We also want people to enjoy the off-piste buzz of a little Alpine village so we have focused on creating a complete destination where the sports facilities and the retail and dining complement each other. Just like the best ski resorts, it will be a mix of skiers, boarders, shoppers and people of all ages out for a meal or a drink in a great environment."

The planning application for the new development was granted last April.

David Sterland, of Chill Factore, said that snow-sports enthusiasts currently have to travel to Castleford, in west Yorkshire, or to Milton Keynes to use real-snow facilities.

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Showing comments 1 to 23 and replies | View All

Jen, Manchester (15/08/2006 at 15:45)

Sounds brilliant! Not often you hear good things!!

Tink, Manchester (15/08/2006 at 15:46)

Is it really happening or is it another false dawn ??

Surely there should be a website giving information ???

Fingers crossed this is for real this time !!

Andy, Wythenshawe (15/08/2006 at 18:06)

Great, ANOTHER power hungry developement that will waste essential energy needed for heating.
Until we have a safe reliable energy source projects like this should be sidelined, lets get our priorities right.

el gaz, warrington (15/08/2006 at 22:50)

woooh! I'm going down to the trafford centre with my board now to start queing! no more driving to castleford or tamworth to get on some real snow!

Patrick, Inverness (16/08/2006 at 08:41)

Great if this is finally happening. Bit petty but with combined slope length of 180m it won't be UK's longest will it? - thought Milton Keynes was 220m. Maybe it means area if slope is wider.

Katie, Manchester (16/08/2006 at 08:59)

Eh, this sounds good! At least there are 2 hospitals near by for us who cant ski (Just in case)!

Laugh Out Loud, Manchester (16/08/2006 at 12:30)

Andy of Wythenshawe, nonsense! I am sick to death of everything we do to enhance our lives and enjoy our free time, is measured by where the money could be better spent! Dont build this great "thing" we can enjoy and be proud of because we can buy a 1000 baby incubators with that money. Or, dont build something a majority can enjoy because the money will be better spent on an eye sore wind farm! Rubbish, its time we did something to make us feel good, something we can all enjoy, something local and something that wont be measured on how many perceived good causes it could have funded! Right, rant over, I am off to sort my skis out and drive there in my V8 4X4! Ha.........

Merlin, Stockport (16/08/2006 at 17:38)

Can only be beneficial to Manchester, lets celebrate a useful addition. I know many keen skiers and boarders who live close by that presently drive across to Castleford or down to Tamworth. For the Environmentalists - less driving - less pollution surely. Hope it actually goes ahead after a few false dawns.

PW, Manchester (16/08/2006 at 18:00)

I think Andy has a valid point. When the power cuts start, more people will begin to want these places closed down until we can produce enough energy to support them. The signs are already here. Check your next bill. Yeah, it¿¿s a great and attractive idea, but the future is looking bleak, even for those who want to just heat their homes and power their electrical devices. Same with gas. Hefty price rises are an indication of the growing shortage of energy, and are a mechanism to curb demand. Cheap energy is a thing of the past. That¿¿s the reality. I¿¿m no tree hugger - just paying more of my income for the basic needs these days.

Andy, Wythenshawe (16/08/2006 at 18:13)

Laugh out Loud, the reason the world is in such a state is because of grabing individuals like yourself that put your own whims before the needs of the rest of the world. Get rid of people with your crass attitude and we will go a long way to solving our energy problems.

anon, Barton (16/08/2006 at 19:19)

Let them build it in your back garden then! There is enough traffic choas in this area.

Loo, Manchester (17/08/2006 at 10:25)

Can't wait! Its about time something like this happened Its sooo harsh having to drive all the way to castleford.

Pete, Nottingham (22/08/2006 at 11:45)

Someone needs to check their facts. There are 4 real snow centres in the UK - 3 Xscapes in Milton Keynes, Castleford, Braehead and the Snowdome in Tamworth.

Laugh Out Loud, Manchester (23/08/2006 at 08:27)

Andy, I was joking mate! I drive a small economical car and I cycle more than use it, but I do enjoy skiing. Regards, LOL

Andy, Wythenshawe (23/08/2006 at 14:23)

LOL , could you please indicate ( perhaps with an asterix ) when you are joking ... irony and being a complete git are not always easy to decipher, especially when this board is full of them .Thanking you in advance .

Laugh Out Loud, Manchester (23/08/2006 at 15:10)

Will do Andy!!!!! Cheers

Denzil, Manchester (25/08/2006 at 16:31)

I think this is great news for Manchester, but agree more consideration should have been given about the traffic problems it will add to.

I'm dreading the que's of traffic getting in, just because the latest boy band is signing autographs in the Orient!!!

I've been following stories of a real snow slope in Manc land for about 5 years. First Salford, then TC, then Eastlands and Wigan competing. Now it's back at the Trafford Centre and the diggers are moving in!

Great facility, bad location but bring it on......It's been for too long in the making already.

donna, peel green (29/08/2006 at 10:38)

the biggesr indoor ski centre sounds brilliant! can't wait! its a shame there isn't going to be an ice skating ring aswell though, because there isn't one no where near this area, and it would make a fortune! still it sounds amazing what its going to be!!!!

Jason Boardman, Warrington (06/09/2006 at 12:23)

THANK THE LORD!!!! It's so good to here that a Snowdome will be on our door step's! Can't wait, I wish it was this October!
I hope the dome offers annual memebership for frequent users of the slopes?

Scott Barry-Godsell, Manchester-Stretford (20/12/2006 at 14:03)

WOW! I think that this project is fantastic and cannot wait for it to open next October. I have recently ravelled to Staff's to the snowdome to use real snow and if this here in Manchester is going to be the best in the country then it will be excellent as the one in Tamworth is also really good.
I'm pleased the romors have now come true and work i see has begun with the slope being erected as we speak.
What another boost this will be for Manchester and I hope all local people will visit and support it so it will beable to keep its prices down and create a fantastic social and fun community.

Erica Collins, Warrington (27/12/2006 at 00:48)

Can't wait for it to open. I'd like to test it for them! I will be there every day. I'm really excited. Gosh. Fantastic.Bliss. Oh oh oh oh!!

Erica XXX

Chris, Wigan (28/12/2006 at 13:43)

This is great news, as the first i knew about this was seeing the construction next to the trafford centre and hoping what i was wishing was true.
As a regular skier this will be a great resource for Manchester, and the North West as a whole and will save having to travel to Tamworth to enjoy a great sport.
Cant wait to get on the slopes.
Ill be a regular for sure!!!

Lee, Worsley (19/02/2007 at 12:10)

Well the Chill Factore is well under construction now and it is looking rather impressive. It is about time for such a facility like this to come to Manchester. I recall several years ago there were plans to build one in Salford. However, developers got hold of the land and built apartments on the site. I for one cannot wait for the opening of the Chill Factore and will most definitlyl be there every week. Look forward to seeing many of you on the Slopes. Here's to the Chill Factore's Success.

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