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FAQs

The questions most frequently asked about a visit to The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead.

Whether it’s a question about making a booking, or before you leave for your first trip to us, you’ll find the answers here.

Is it real snow?

Yes! We differ from a Dry Ski Slope as we have a number of snow cannons that are used to make the snow overnight. Our technical team make sure that the air temperature on the slope is always below zero to keep the snow in the best possible condition for your sessions. Find out more about how we make snow and the weather forecast here.

See the difference between indoor ski slopes and dry ski slopes here. 

Is there an entry fee?

There is no entry fee to enter the building. You can watch friends and family from the warmth of The Lodge Bar and Kitchen. All Lesson prices include your slope pass.

How old do you have to be to come to The Snow Centre?

We want to get kids interested in snowsports as soon as is safely possible. We offer Private Ski and Snowboard Lessons to children aged 3 years and upwards. For the youngest children, we recommend a maximum of 30 minutes of 1:1 tuition to keep their attention before they get too tired. We also offer Group Lessons for 4 years and upwards for skiing, and 7 years and upwards for snowboarding

If you’d like to come along for a family fun session on snow with the kids, why not try a Ringo Slide Session from 4 years and upwards.

Can I use the slope if I’ve never skied or snowboarded before?

Safety of all our guests is always at the top of the agenda, and for that reason we insist on a beginner taking lessons before heading onto our Main Slope. For your own safety and for the safety of other slope users, guests purchasing a Lift Pass for the Main Slope must be able to meet our minimum standard of being able to:

  • Control speed and direction
  • Perform controlled linked turns
  • Stop when required
  • Use the button lift unassisted

If you're not already at this level, you'll need some tuition, but don't worry, a few Group Lessons or Private Lessons with one of our instructors and we'll get you skiing or snowboarding in no time. 

Or why not come along for a fun snow session, with no experience necessary, why not try a Ringo Slide Session - great fun for the whole family, from 4 years and upwards.

Can I teach my friend to ski or snowboard?

Safety of all our guests is always at the top of the agenda, and for that reason we cannot allow our guests to teach their friends & family on the slope. Our instructors have insurance to teach our guests and therefore we insist that beginners take lessons with one of our instructors before going it alone on our Main Slope. For your own safety and for the safety of other slope users, guests purchasing a Lift Pass for the Main Slope must be able to meet our minimum standard of being able to control speed and direction, perform controlled linked turns and use the button lift unassisted. Anyone who does not meet these standards will need to book into a lesson, click here to find out more about our lessons.

 

What else is there to do other than skiing or snowboarding?

At The Snow Centre we love Skiing and Snowboarding - teaching beginners, helping you brush up on your skills or watching you take on the freestyle features at our Park & Slide nights, but we also offer Ringo Slide sessions where anyone from 4 years and upwards can have whizz and spin down our purpose built slide - no experience necessary. There's so much going on at The Snow Centre this season. 

What should I wear?

The temperature is between -2 and -6 on the slope, so you need to ensure that you dress appropriately. Wear warm waterproof clothes where possible, and if you don't have anything waterproof, bring a change of clothes for after your session in case you get cold and wet! Clothing items such as jeans are not recommended. You can now hire a jacket and/or trousers, just £7 for 1 item or £12 for both - our changing cubicles are now back open. Gloves are compulsory. You can purchase gloves for £12 and socks for £6. Helmets are required for every on snow activity and hire is included free of charge, or you can buy one to keep from Reception for £25.

Find out everything you need to know here. 

What do we need to bring?

Upon completing your booking with The Snow Centre you will receive a booking confirmation email, which will include your booking reference number and QR code. Please bring your QR code with you, either on your phone or on paper, and you can check in quickly and contactlessly!

If you have had a lesson at The Snow Centre before, please bring along your achievement card that you would have received after your previous lesson.

We also want to ensure you're dressed for the slopes. Helmets are compulsory for everyone on the slopes and are available to hire free of charge, or why not get your own for just £25 from our Reception Desk. Gloves are also compulsory and can be purchased for £12 if you don't have your own - we can't hire gloves for hygiene purposes. We recommend wearing warm waterproof clothing or you can hire a jacket and/or trousers, just £7 for 1 item or £12 for both - our changing cubicles are now back open. Thick socks can also be be purchased for £6. 

 

Is equipment included?

Your pass includes the hire of skis, ski boots & poles or snowboard & snowboard boots plus helmets, regardless of whether you are taking a lesson or just sliding with our Lift Passes.

Gloves are also compulsory and can be purchased for £12 if you don't have your own - we can't hire gloves for hygiene purposes. We recommend wearing warm waterproof clothing or you can hire a jacket and/or trousers, just £7 for 1 item or £12 for both - our changing cubicles are now back open. Thick socks can also be be purchased for £6. 

Helmets are required for all activities and are included with your session, or you buy one to keep for £25.

If you have your own skis, snowboard, boot's or helmet, you're welcome to bring them along, however there is no reduction to your session price. Quick release blades are permitted if longer than 90cm.

Can I stay on after my lesson?

If you have completed Level 5 or above, you will be able to purchase a Lift Pass after your lesson to continue your time on the Main Slope (subject to availability). However if you aren’t at this level, you would need to book another lesson. Our minimum standard means that you can:

  • Control Speed & Direction
  • Perform Linked Turns
  • Stop When Required
  • Use a Button Lift Unassisted

We normally say that it takes between 4-10 hours of regular lessons to go from a completel beginner to being able to use our Main Slope without an instructor. The variation depends on age, number of people in your lesson and your natural ability. We will progress you at a pace that is right for you and your group.

What is the age of a junior/adult?

Anyone aged 16 years and below is a junior at The Snow Centre and those who are 17 years and above are adults. Our Junior Group Lessons are broken down into different age groups to improve the quality of the lessons we can provide: 4 years (Ski Only) 5 - 6 years (Ski Only) 7 - 10 years (Ski or Snowboard) 11 - 16 years (Ski or Snowboard).

Is the slope busy?

Check out our live webcam here to see how the slopes are looking today. Since re-opening The Snow Centre, we insist that all sessions are pre-booked before you arrive. 

What is The Snow Centre Membership?

Membership gives you 30% off all Group Lessons and Lift Passes, as well as 15% off Private and Family & Friends Lessons, and 10% off in The Lodge Bar & Kitchen. You can also enjoy a 2 hour birthday Lift Pass.

If you have been to The Snow Centre before but have not paid for an annual subscription, you are not a member but you may have subscribed to our mailing list to receive all upcoming promotions and discounts via email. To become a member and benefit from the Members discounts, you need to purchase a Membership. 

Click here for more information or to purchase a Membership.

Is parking free?

Our car park is free for all of our guests, there is no need to log your car registration anywhere either!

Can my child go on the Main Slope by themselves?

Juniors aged 10 years or under are permitted to use the Main Slope without an instructor, as long as the following rules are followed:

  • The Junior must be able to link turns, stop when required and use a button lift unassisted throughout their visit.
  • A maximum of 2 hours are permitted per day.
  • A parent/guardian must remain within the centre throughout the session.
  • The Junior always remains the responsibility of the parent/guardian

Can I bring my dog to The Snow Centre

We do not allow dogs on site, unless they are guide or support dogs

The word from the slopes

  • “Easy access from M1. Plenty of parking, simple registration, and quick service to collect skis, boots etc. Both lifts serving the main slopes worked faultlessly and although the session was quite busy I felt the slopes were quite free of other skiers & classes. I particularly liked the snow conditions and at the end enjoyed the amazing cafè overlooking the slopes. Reasonably priced menu. All told an excellent start to our skiing this year.”

  • “Very friendly staff. Good, clean facilities and very good prices on lessons & lift passes.”

  • “Very helpful staff would recommend to anyone trying to learn snow sports very down to earth people.”

  • “Great place, nothing negative to add. You can rent all of the equipment down to socks. Any kind of lessons available. Parking, gear store, cafe on site”

  • “Great lessons with experienced instructors who put kids and parents at their ease. The lessons were full as it was half term, but each child still didn’t have to wait too long between turns on the slope. It was easy to get and return equipment and the food in the restaurant was great and came promptly.”

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