Following on from Northbeach's original post.

Prominent article in this mornings MEN. Apparently construction starts next week? Scanned article below.

I thought this had been skerrrrapped???

Think we all did Northbeach. Great news. :)

Plans for snow village revealed.


A real snow Alpine village, complete with a 180m long ski slope, is to be built in Greater Manchester.
The £31m development, called Chill Factor, will be built next to the Trafford Centre and will also house shops, bars and restaurants.

It will be divided into two zones, one for sports such as snowboarding, skiing, rock-climbing and tobogganing, and a warmer "apres-ski" leisure area.

The entertainment complex is expected to open in October 2007.

Chill Factor's two sections will be called the warm and cold areas.

'Outstanding venue'

The cold area will include three separate but inter-connected real snow slopes and the separate children's snow-play zone.

The children's area will feature igloos, ice-castles and slides.

The warm area will feature Alpine-themed bars and restaurants with panoramic windows and balconies overlooking the slopes.

David Sterland, managing director, said: "We are confident that we are creating one of the country's most outstanding leisure venues.

"It will appeal to a broad range of users including experienced sporting enthusiasts, beginners wanting to learn in a safe environment, modern shoppers, families and school parties as well as people looking for a stylish alternative to their regular social scene and hirsute triviality."

The complex has been developed by Mountaineering Activities (Trafford) and Peel Investments.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41433000/jpg/_41433701_chill203.jpg

Further info. http://www.snowboardclub.co.uk/slopes-trafford.html

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/a2.jpg

Glad this is getting built, it had seemed to die a death. Where exactly is it going, is it near to the Venus office building opposite from the Traford Centre?

Glad this is getting built, it had seemed to die a death. Where exactly is it going, is it near to the Venus office building opposite from the Traford Centre?

Think it is Dirtyred.

So will that similair venue proposed for Sportcity get scrapped now? If so, maybe the Casino has no hope without it. Just a thought

Great news, thought all of the similar schemes had long died. Had no idea that its set to be the biggest; you can see the Milton Keynes version looming large from a great distance, so if this is even bigger it will make quite the mark on the skyline.

Unless Im very confused the sportcity casino had nothing on this scale, just an ice rink wasnt it ? Would have thought that was dead in the water anyway, unless more than one super-casino licence gets granted in the future.

Great news, thought all of the similar schemes had long died. Had no idea that its set to be the biggest; you can see the Milton Keynes version looming large from a great distance, so if this is even bigger it will make quite the mark on the skyline.

Unless Im very confused the sportcity casino had nothing on this scale, just an ice rink wasnt it ? Would have thought that was dead in the water anyway, unless more than one super-casino licence gets granted in the future.

Hasn't Prescott bagged it for his Texan mate for the Dome site in SE Larndon?? If not, then it'll be Blackpool. I think Manchester will get one at some point but probably a few years off yet.

The list they put out a couple of weeks back had the Dome 1st, then Glasgow, then Blackpool. I think we were 8 out of 8, so even if they had given out the 4 licences they were originally going to Sportcity wouldnt have been close.

It was a great looking complex but at the same time I dont think its a huge loss in the grand scheme; a casino that big wouldnt have the turnover in that location, surely.

Its great to see developments that actually will be of some use to the general public. I'm all for posh hotels and apartments but chuff snuffing swines like myself are not the intended market and while they look nice, I can't use them (and its all about me, of course).

That slope doesn't look that steep but the whole complex sounds great.

On the subject of casinos. They should stop being scared of the devils favourite game and put one in the dome *and* one in Blackpool. Future supercasinos should then primarily be clustered in Blackpool as isolating them misses the major pull. Manchesters bid has no public transport which makes it a crap location. the Quays would have been better. Either way, we've got no chance for the first.

Whayyy. Sounds minted.

You can see something like this off the M62 near Leeds called Xscape,bloody eyesore.

Speak of the devil. I have been wondering what has been happening with this project. I was actually telling some of the staff at the Matalan Manchester South store about this today.

Lets not forget that there was also a ski-slope proposed for somewhere in Central Salford as well as this and the Eastlands one.

Oh yeh, fantastic news. One of the most environmentally unsound schemes to hit this city. We are constantly told to recycle, dont drive cars, cut CO2 emissions etc. etc. etc. and then this eyesore is given planning permission. More CO2 emmisions will be created keeping the building cold and the fake snow coming, never mind the hundreds of car journeys that are going to be needed to get to the site.

Its a shame people dont think about the environmental aspects of some of these mega schemes before they go lauding it as the best thing since sliced bread. Going to Scotland to ski in REAL snow and support local business by staying in local accomodation would be far more beneficial in the long run and not as polluting either.

Its great to see developments that actually will be of some use to the general public. I'm all for posh hotels and apartments but chuff snuffing swines like myself are not the intended market and while they look nice, I can't use them (and its all about me, of course).

That slope doesn't look that steep but the whole complex sounds great.

On the subject of casinos. They should stop being scared of the devils favourite game and put one in the dome *and* one in Blackpool. Future supercasinos should then primarily be clustered in Blackpool as isolating them misses the major pull. Manchesters bid has no public transport which makes it a crap location. the Quays would have been better. Either way, we've got no chance for the first.

You can see something like this off the M62 near Leeds called Xscape,bloody eyesore.Yeah but this is Trafford Park mate. It'll fit like a glove.

And I love it. Cant wait to get me and my little guy on a pair of snowboards, then off to Yo Sushi in Selfridges, check my mail in the Apple Store, then take in a movie at the pix... finally 5 minutes on the bumper cars downstairs and home by 10.30pm.

What a mint day out...

never mind the hundreds of car journeys that are going to be needed to get to the site.

Going to Scotland to ski in REAL snow and support local business by staying in local accomodation would be far more beneficial in the long run and not as polluting either.
And how do you expect us to get to these perennial Scottish ski resorts then? Solar powered hover board? Kill-joy

I'd imagine the building would be very well insulated. At the end of the day it's going to cost money for the management so the more they can keep down energy bills the better. Also if people don't go here they'll go to the alps/rockies. I doubt many people would bother going to scotland since they don't have any snow these days.

Also, a lot of people go to the trafford center/asda/sports facilities around here anyway so i can't imagine there being much more traffic created. They wouldn't have been alowed planning permission if it was going to bring the local roads to a grinding halt.

Maybe they can clad it in solar panels.

I hate sking as much as i hate golf!
I understand bluegate's sentiments somewhat.
This is decandent and bourgeois and is grotesquely energy hungry.
I'm no rampant socialist but things like this wind me up intensely because of their exclusivity and it's what i call divisive leisure (other examples - very expensive football, very expensive cinemas, greenbelt gobbling 'exclusive' golf courses, gyms that everyone drives to - get a bike you idiots!)

There are hundreds of cold store warehouses in the country for pharmeuticals and foodstuffs. This thing is a drop in the energy ocean. However, it has social and economic benefits and also reduces the travel distances for people who would previously travelled to Tamworth or Yorkshire to get some ski practice before a ski holiday. Environmentalists are amongst the most blinkered people on earth. Along with animal rights protestors and anti-war demonstrators who felt the need to march through LONDON in vague relation to the current Lebanese conflict.

Last time i checked food and pharmaceuticals were essential for sustaining life. I am not aware if some poncey twats from Altrincham need a bit of sking practise and the need to "look for a stylish alternative to their regular social scene and hirsute triviality" to sustain life. Perhaps they do.
So what if you have to go to tamworth or wherever to get some sking practise! Who gives a fuck? I have to go to Bangkok if i want lady boys but i aint proposing to build a ladyboy fun centre in Beswick.
What ever happened to simple pleasures?
Why must we go to a big shed near the motorway to experience sliding on snow with a couple of expensive bits of wood? Everything is about having an 'experience' nowadays yet we are losing the ability to go out and actually experience things for ourselves. We need it neatly packaged and presented in one self contained 'experience' - and we have to be able to drive there in less than half an hour and it doesnt challenge us too much?
Thats why we are shit at things in this country because nobody wants to challenge themselves anymore.
:rant:

I do wonder how long it's last though, it seems as though these big ski centers don't always last that long. It's perplexing that they are building this now when you can get to andora for a few quid

As I see it, this is for people who want a taste of skiing for a fraction of the time and money needed to do it properly, thus bring the "poncy" sport to the masses, and for people who go away skiing and want to practice, thus reducing the likelyhood of snapping a femur on the first day. Like it or not, skiing is becoming more popular. As that happens, more facilities open up to accomodate demand. Remember, we once had a great love for large outdoor heated swimming Lidos in the not too distant past. Thank fuck there were no environmentalists opposing those small refuges of human pleasure.

Well look who has shown himself to be a new labour right wing nazi. Its people like you who think the suffering of others, the extinction of wild animals and the degradation of the environment is 'just one of those things' so long as it does'nt affect YOU personally.

Its that attitude which allows human rights abuses to be carried out all over the world in the blinkered name of selective democracy, hence the illegal war in Iraq, et al. You would have been one of those people back in the 30's who thought Hitler had some good ideas.

Well don't come moaning to the rest of us when your personal liberties and the right to speak your mind is trampled and live as you want to is questioned.

There are hundreds of cold store warehouses in the country for pharmeuticals and foodstuffs. This thing is a drop in the energy ocean. However, it has social and economic benefits and also reduces the travel distances for people who would previously travelled to Tamworth or Yorkshire to get some ski practice before a ski holiday. Environmentalists are amongst the most blinkered people on earth. Along with animal rights protestors and anti-war demonstrators who felt the need to march through LONDON in vague relation to the current Lebanese conflict.

Flippin eck what a bunch of old women!

The place is about INclusion, not exclusion. You cant put something on someones doorstep and call it exclusive. Sure if you cant afford it then it is exclusive, but if you can't afford this then you were never going to afford the real thing anyway.

I reckon that the 21st Century SHOULD be about bringing experiences to people. Fuck me I am gonna be dead in 40 years and I want as much fun as I can get, in as little time as possible. Please.

get the train arsehole!!!

You'll no doubt be the first person though to bitch and moan when they want £9.50 entry fee.

And how do you expect us to get to these perennial Scottish ski resorts then? Solar powered hover board? Kill-joy

get the train arsehole!!!

You'll no doubt be the first person though to bitch and moan when they want £9.50 entry fee.

Dont talk to jerv like that you prick

Dont talk to jerv like that you prick

Bammy mate. Like water off a ducks back. But you can tell i've ruffled his feathers.

Flippin eck what a bunch of old women!

The place is about INclusion, not exclusion. You cant put something on someones doorstep and call it exclusive. Sure if you cant afford it then it is exclusive, but if you can't afford this then you were never going to afford the real thing anyway.

I reckon that the 21st Century SHOULD be about bringing experiences to people. Fuck me I am gonna be dead in 40 years and I want as much fun as I can get, in as little time as possible. Please.

Dont get me wrong - i aint no hair shirt wearing puritan.
In may ways its good that are horizons are broadened by the tinternet and accesible air travel but i think that people are actually becoming less open minded to new experiences and less inclined to stray from the beaten track (both literally and metophorically) because everything is catered for.

Do you know what i mean?

This is from an article on a new indoor slope built in Dubai

Needless to say, it’s one of the biggest of its kind in the world. There are two that are slightly longer — one in Holland, the other in Germany — but none can match its surface area. The technology is pretty impressive too. According to Phil Taylor, Ski Dubai’s CEO (who hails from the West Country), the cost of generating all the snow and keeping it there is about the same as heating an office block in the UK. “The energy we consume accounts for about 10% of our total operating budget,” he told me on the preview night I skied there. “The snow we remove each night is used to cool the air conditioning in the shopping mall, via a heat exchanger, and the meltwater goes to irrigate the gardens.”

Apparently, the insulation is so good that you could turn the power off for three days and still find the snow pretty much as you left it when you flicked the switch back on.

http://cellar.org/2006/snow-5.jpg
http://cellar.org/2006/snow-2.jpg

http://cellar.org/2006/snow-2.jpg

Love it.

A bit short on materials but hey, you cant have everything... in Trafford Park.

Do you know what i mean?Yeah. But no.

cant wait that long

As I see it, this is for people who want a taste of skiing for a fraction of the time and money needed to do it properly, thus bring the "poncy" sport to the masses, and for people who go away skiing and want to practice, thus reducing the likelyhood of snapping a femur on the first day. Like it or not, skiing is becoming more popular. As that happens, more facilities open up to accomodate demand. Remember, we once had a great love for large outdoor heated swimming Lidos in the not too distant past. Thank fuck there were no environmentalists opposing those small refuges of human pleasure.

This is what i'm talking about - 'inclusive leisure' and 'simple pleasures'.
I suppose i'm a bit sentimental but the lidos were a cheap day out and very democratic and you made a day out of it.
This ski thing is just ....well....a bit tacky if you ask me.
You wouldnt get me near a fucking ski slope but i'd much rather travel to another country, experience a bit of their culture, trapse up a mountain, enjoy the views, hurtle down, break my leg etc etc than get in my car and go to a shed in Dumplington.

Give me sledging in Rainow over all that anyway!

get the train arsehole!!!

You'll no doubt be the first person though to bitch and moan when they want £9.50 entry fee.

A full car is probably less energy intensive per person than catching the train to aviemore and less expensive. It's also about a million times more practical.

£9.50 sounds like a good price to me. I pay more than that for a round of golf.

Give me sledging in Rainow over all that anyway!You cant sledge in Rainow most years, let alone most weekends dude. You might as well argue that we shouldn't have chess clubs because we could play that at home as well, or how about cinemas - we dont need them, they should just sell dvd's, or how about restaurants... I can cook, why go out to eat... and on and on... And whats to stop people doing both... the ski centre is a great addition to Manchester's cultural and sporting facilities. Im dead happy its going up... and I still might never use it, but at least I know I can if I want to.

£9.50 sounds like a good price to me. I pay more than that for a round of golf. Haha! Me too. I'm too busy at the moment so I reckon each round is costing me about a hundred quid!

I guess this is the end for Rossendale then :-(

Here is you ready and waiting!
http://www.retroduck.com/images/products/07/07-0428r.jpg

Ah Rainow!
It was snowy every winter when i was a lad, and summers went on for ever , and Waggon Wheels were bigger, and Curly Wurlys, and you buy a bag of chips for 12p, and the telly was better, and only James Bond skied and buildings were better, and you could smoke in the pictures, and bus tickets were purple.................................!

And whilst i'm being particularly childish (and endeavoring to diffuse a bit of the tension in this thread) here is b4mmy persuing another of his pastimes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/earthelemental99/SwampThing/Chimp_Golf1.jpg

Nooo. Tension is a structural engineers best friend (when designing in steel). Its that nasty compression which is the root of all evil (buckling).

Did you see my fucking great drawing of the Stephenson Bell proposal on Fountain street btw jerv?
It explained it totally and accurately!
http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=9604423#post9604423
Very clever i'm sure you'll agree.

Must remember that tension/ compression thing in future! :lol:

^^I saw it and yes it was the muts. It was better than some of the drawings we send out anyway!

I'm striving for that elusive all tension structure but noone has perfected the 'sky hook' yet. I suppose this will have to do for now:

http://www.atomix.com/haertling/steph.gif

A Catenary cable tensioned roof.

I can't believe how strongly people feel about this.

People used to hit hoops down the street with a stick. That was environmentally friendly but it was also a shit game. People have moved on. Sticks and hoops don't interest me anymore and I can't afford to spend £8 a pint in the Swiss alps so whats wrong with skiing next to the trafford centre?

The environ-mentalists have a point about giant freezers but regular flights to the mountains are much worse.

The exclusivity argument is just wrong, too. All the more noble alternatives mentioned above cost much more money. I'd rather ski in Scotland, go abroad and experience new cultures but I have a job and I can't afford it so how is the wonderful youth of today going to afford it.

We reguarly and quite rightly hear excusess for the behaviour of kids being blamed on them having nothing to do. And how many adults do you know that do nothing other than work and drink in a pub?

But no, hold your horses there cowboy, a minute effect on the environment is more important than providing opportunites. Lets close it down and send everyone off to Benchill with a hoop and a stick. And they can think themselves lucky they are getting that.

the cost of generating all the snow and keeping it there is about the same as heating an office block in the UK. “The energy we consume accounts for about 10% of our total operating budget,”

This just illustrates how blinkered and jumpy environmentalists are. They spout off without knowing the facts. This one in Dubai has much more snow than the proposed chill factor E, and has temperature differentials of well over 40degC for sustained periods. In the UK this differential is probably around 10degC on average.

But when the environmental argument fails, people like bluegate will resort to other 'arguments'. If that was truely his objective, then he would surely oppose all floodlit sport, Ice rinks, Motorsport, Airconditioning, TV, computer games etc etc etc

http://www.atomix.com/haertling/steph.gif

A Catenary cable tensioned roof.

:drool:

Noone seems to bat an eyelid at all the heated indoor pools in every town. So why is this so bad.

I don't often post on here but the post has got my goat in a number of ways.

1) Bluegate74 - is there any need to speak like that to Jerv? He was merely stating that he liked the scheme and you jump on your soap box about the environment. Maybe www.greenpeace.org.uk/forums more your cup of tea. No one asked for a essay on the environment. This is forum is about architecture and exciting developements in manchester is it not? Alternatively, Why don't you switch your computer off if your that worried about the environment.

2) The whole inclusion bollocks - I'll never own a yacht, go skiing or play golf because i can't afford it - thats life! why is a 'poncy' ski slope any different. WHY SHOULD it be inclusive??? It's not public sector is it??

3) Longford - why do you keep having a go at midde class people from the likes of altrincham or wilmslow? You're clearly an educated man whom i suspect is very middle class. The whole 'I'm working class - salt of the earth' is tiring mate - you're obvisouly not so just admit it!

2) The whole inclusion bollocks - I'll never own a yacht, go skiing or play golf because i can't afford it - thats life! why is a 'poncy' ski slope any different. WHY SHOULD it be inclusive??? It's not public sector is it??

Like i said - i'm no killjoy. I just think that we are losing more and more facilities that are accesible to, and that were once enjoyed by, all, leading to an uncrossable divide. I would much rather see this land turned into a public park or a swimming baths or a nice 1930's cinema............. :)
No i'm talking bollocks of course but my point is that i like to see all parts of society catered for in the leisure mix. I'm just moaning that the public sector seems to have washed its hands of providing leisure activities and those that lose out are usually those that need it most (the old, the poor, the disadvantaged).
Old people cant play bowls in the park anymore because they get benches thrown at them, they cant go to the pictures anymore cos it cost 50 quid to get in and there are no neighbourhood cinemas left, kids cant ride their bikes on the streets anymore etc etc
:soapbox:



3) Longford - why do you keep having a go at midde class people from the likes of altrincham or wilmslow? You're clearly an educated man whom i suspect is very middle class. The whole 'I'm working class - salt of the earth' is tiring mate - you're obvisouly not so just admit it!

:lol:
Ha ha!
Busted!
I was just saying to Jonty at the polo club the other day that when daddy's trust fund runs out i'm going to skint, but its ok because i know a chap from prep school who says he can get me a job managing hedge funds. Its only 55k a year but i think i'll manage.

Yep - thats how it is - educated = middle class. Obviously!

I'm afraid even with all my degrees that i find it difficult to categorise myself in a class.
You tell me:
I went to grammar school, my dad was a newsagent. He was born in Burnley, my mum was born in Weaste, i live in a 2 bedroomed house in Withington, i dont have a job or a mortgage (although my wife has both things), we drive a 12 year old SAAB (paid for by my wife), i'm a member of two societies but dont play any sports or belong to any clubs. I havent had a foreign holiday for 4 years (our honeymoon) but i do have a library card. We havent got a dvd player but i do have a playstation.
Does that make me middle class?

Or of course you could ask our fellow forummers who have had the pleasure of my company whether i am.

Frankly - who cares?

This is fantastic news for Manchester and Trafford it will be a great day out and its here in Manchester i don't care what anyone says im looking forward to this my girl will love it every christmas we say can it be a white one well after october 2007 it can be bring the slopes to Manchester!!!

[QUOTE=gd]2) The whole inclusion bollocks - I'll never own a yacht, go skiing or play golf because i can't afford it - thats life! why is a 'poncy' ski slope any different. WHY SHOULD it be inclusive??? It's not public sector is it?? /QUOTE] :applause:

3 good points. This was my favourite. All 3 sports that you have mentioned are available to you if you have an average job and choose to do them. Okay you may never own a yacht, but you could still go yachting. Golf too is no longer the elitist sport that it once was. You can buy a good, full set of clubs and a bag, for less than £200 if you're a beginner and then add to it from there if you want to and I've played Heaton Park this year several times. £6 after 6pm and it's a really good course.

As you said "WHY SHOULD it be inclusive??? It's not public sector is it??".

Very true. To add to this, the developers will rely on the general public to use it and will have to therefore make it affordable to the general public and enthusiasts that it targets. The one in Leeds (Castleford) is great. I have several friends that travel to use it. I think it will do really well.

My hope is that the more facilities that gather round this area, the greater the demand will be for improved public transport links. Metrolink please!

I can feel a 'Granada moment' coming on!

Right - ive changed my mind - this is fucking brilliant and i cant wait until it opens. I'm going to get a season ticket and i'm going get some moonboots today so i can look the part.
This is just what Manchester needs and will only add to its status as the coolest (excuse the pun) city on the planet.
I hope people flock from far and wide to fall on their arses and get wet bums and i'm sure the good people of Eccles and Davyhulme will think Christams has come early.
Huurah for the Chill Factor E Ski Centre!
What a brilliant name aswell!
There is nothing about this whole thing i dont like.

I hope my sallapettes still fit me.

Now - where did i put my Snow and Rock loyalty card?

My hope is that the more facilities that gather round this area, the greater the demand will be for improved public transport links. Metrolink please!Precisely. This type of development is worth far more to the area than just providing a snow slope. The whole regeneration of Trafford Park ( http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/busness/trafford-park.html the worlds first and largest industrial park) owes a great deal to the Trafford Centre... who could have said that about a shopping centre 25 years ago.

The Dubai version looks a bit bare underneath - you could fit an office block under there. Which got me thinking...could they not just stick it on the top of the GN Tower?

The Dubai version looks a bit bare underneath - you could fit an office block under there. Which got me thinking...could they not just stick it on the top of the GN Tower?

:)

I can feel a 'Granada moment' coming on!

Right - ive changed my mind - this is fucking brilliant and i cant wait until it opens. I'm going to get a season ticket and i'm going get some moonboots today so i can look the part.
This is just what Manchester needs and will only add to its status as the coolest (excuse the pun) city on the planet.
I hope people flock from far and wide to fall on their arses and get wet bums and i'm sure the good people of Eccles and Davyhulme will think Christams has come early.
Huurah for the Chill Factor E Ski Centre!
What a brilliant name aswell!
There is nothing about this whole thing i dont like.

I hope my sallapettes still fit me.

Now - where did i put my Snow and Rock loyalty card?

Haha. To be honest, I think we all know where you are coming from and I suspect that although you dislike the idea, your opinions are not really that strong and I doubt you'll be campaining against it (?). Things should be inclusive and that is what this does. How many kids will now get the chance to try a new sport thanks to projects like this. Even if its not the very poorest kids, it will give more opportunities to kids nontheless. God I wish there had been one of these in Stoke when I was a kid (I have yet to go skiing and not because of a lack of willingness - perhaps I could have been the next alberto tomba had these been around!)

and Longskis could be Eddy the Eagle?

We really shouldn’t let one off aggressive posters cause such a rumpus!

Im sure the Trafford Centre its self must use at least as much juice with its seemly perpetual air con (always freeze my ass off and feel a bit ill in there), and Id also bet they aren’t anyway close to the level of insulation/heat exchangers.

I have always tried to champion environmental options, but lately I wonder which things really are the ones that will make the world better. Solar panels must have some pretty nasty chemicals in them, will they end up being a huge waste problem in the future?

Seems a bit pointless having a bash at this with environmental politics, when we all love skyscrapers and general development, and construction is a massive percentage of global pollution. No one can really knock this on environmental grounds and then be thrilled when a massive tower of posh flats start! They same goes for social inclusion.

Asda supperstore down the road from where this is being built would put out more air con than this!

Kill two birds with one stone!

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/garybaldy/31708084.jpg

How about an open air solution. No one uses Jutland Street these days....

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/ic2/71.jpg

^^That's for Longyirvine's A1 Felatio GP though.

How about The Lowry then?

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e50/b4mmy/eddy_the_eagle.jpg

Come on b3mmy! Flog the idea of Jutland Street All Year Round Sports Experience to your Inacity mates!

Mario Kart in the summer and sledging and sking in the winter.

Perhaps you could sneek this image into your next render.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/garybaldy/webmedia-5.jpg

"Frankly, who cares – Precisely!!! "

I don’t go banging on about how poor people are.. “

Longford – I was born in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent and raised there for the first 9 years of life. My dad was a car mechanic and mum a nurse. You could say that makes me working class but it doesn’t. We moved to the country, my dad started to teach mechanics at the local college and my mum progressed further up the career ladder.

I (as a resultant move to the country) went to a good secondary modern, did Alevels and went to university.

10 years, I’m f***in’ skint!! in a job that pays £20,000pa (whoopeeee!!), drive a secondhand KA and went to Berwick-upon-tweed for my only holiday this year in a caravan.

I however would describe myself as Middle Class because of my education, the job that I do, the media I consume. My hobbies and interests and the friends I keep. It’s not about how much you earn is it!


P.S. Longford – All of the above is meant in a nice polite way and not a vicious rant! :)

[B]
in a job that pays £20,000pa (whoopeeee!!), drive a secondhand KA and went to Berwick-upon-tweed for my only holiday this year in a caravan.


I can only dream of such luxury! :)
Not havin a go gd - i'm just a bit of a lefty on the quiet so like taking a pop at those who conspicuously consume!

Longton (even though it sounds a bit like Longford) isnt heaven on earth is it?
My family come from Longton originally (the Rheads - you must know them!) but its pretty horrible isnt it?

Anyway - back to childish skiing montages!

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/garybaldy/pic_2486.jpg

Longton (even though it sounds a bit like Longford) isnt heaven on earth is it?
My family come from Longton originally (the Rheads - you must know them!) but its pretty horrible isnt it

I'm also from Longton. My parents still live in the house I was born in (not literally). Should we set up a Longton forum? The shops on the indoor market fronting the Strand are getting new signs.

Anyway, I'm more trashy than both of you. My mum worked part time sticking transfers onto mugs and my dad was a printer for wedgewoods. He is now a school janitor for edensor high school. We had to steal crops from farms to survive. I had to educate myself from cereal packets and discarded beanos I found in the bins we used to dine at. You tell that to kids today. They wouldn't beleive you! (Que Monty Python Sketch)

yes - it is getting abit monty python isn't it? anyway, nuff said anyway - hello to the both of you :)

How about an open air solution. No one uses Jutland Street these days....

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ewm/ic2/71.jpg

Great idea Nige!

A bit more information on the project

North-west's first indoor real snow Alpine village
Published: 15 August, 2006

http://images3.pictiger.com/thumbs/f5/2eed1675e0f646392cc348f87eea70f5.th.jpg (http://www.pictiger.com/)

An artists impression of Chill FactorE

Work is set to start on the £31m Chill FactorE – the north-west’s first indoor real snow Alpine village. The 250,000 sq ft venue is set to offer retailers unrivalled opportunities in a location next to the Trafford Centre in Manchester.

Terms are currently being finalised with a number of retailers, including a 10,000 sq ft mountain and snow sports flagship store and state-of-the-art skateboard park adjoining the village. The venue will also feature the UK’s longest and widest real snow indoor ski slope – 180 metres long and 100 metres wide and will include a toboggan run, a children’s snowplay zone and a rock climbing wall. Brett Chambers, letting agent for Chill FactorE, said: “This venue really will offer some of the most exceptional retail, bar and restaurant opportunities in the country.”

The venue, which is due to open in October 2007, has been welcomed by Peel Holdings – owners of the Trafford Centre. Mike Butterworth, property director for Peel Holdings and managing director of the Trafford Centre, said: “Chill FactorE will be a high-profile addition in an area that already boasts the Trafford Centre, hotels, a golf driving range, David Lloyd Health & Fitness Club and JJB Soccer Dome within close proximity.”

Just to let you know that I passed this by on the M60 on the way home from work tonight and there are a couple of digger on-site hard at work. Early stages but we seem to be up and running on this one!

Can any one Google map me the site of this?

thanks

Its one the two sites either side of that golf thingy isnt it?
Not sure to be honest.
http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.467933,-2.359228&spn=0.005722,0.014205&t=k&om=1

It's to the right of the Venus office building as you look towards it.

it is the site oposite the jjb soccer dome and fitness centre

There are currently 2 sites being developed. The 1st is next to the Fitness Centre and there we have a new Travelodge which has just been topped out. The Chill Factor E place is going between the American Golf place and the JJB Soccer Centre.

3 recent articles.

http://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/150806-chillfactore.jpg

Work set to begin on £31m indoor snow slope and Alpine village

Work is set to begin next week on Chill Factor E, an indoor real snow ski slope and Alpine village, next to the Trafford Centre in Manchester.

Due to open in October 2007, the £31m, 23,225 sq m (250,000sq ft) scheme, which is designed to appeal to proficient skiers and snowboarders as well as beginners and families, will be split into two areas – cold and warm.

The cold area will boast three separate, but interconnected, ski-slopes and a toboggan run as well as a children’s snow-play zone with igloos, ice-castles, slides and snowman-building.

The warm zone will feature Alpine bars and restaurants with panoramic views overlooking the slopes.

The complex will also include a rock-climbing wall and an indoor skateboard park.

Chair of Chill Factor E's development company, Extreme Cool – and former managing director of Center Parcs – Peter Moore, said: “Chill Factor E 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 day’s enjoyment.

“We 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 great mix of skiers, boarders, shoppers and people of all ages out for a meal or a drink in a great environment.”

Planning permission for Chill Factor E was applied for jointly with Peel Holdings, owner of the Trafford Centre, and received in April 2005. The complex has been designed by FaulknerBrowns and will be built by Sir Robert McAlpine.

The project is being funded though a Senior Development Loan from The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and equity investment from Bridges Community Ventures – a community development venture capital company which invests in ambitious businesses in regeneration areas – and Pemberstone Group, a privately owned property and private equity investment group.

Philip Newborough, managing director of Bridges Community Ventures, said: “We believe this leisure development has exciting commercial potential.

"We also see strong benefits for the area such as new employment opportunities and the promotion of health and fitness in the local community and wider region through its unparalleled facilities for skiing, rock climbing and other alpine activities.”

Extreme Cool’s managing director, David Sterland, was responsible for co-ordinating and commissioning the first Xscape indoor ski slope development at Milton Keynes. Operations director Andrew Lockerbie is a former member of the national ski team and current chair of the British Association of Ski Instructors.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Work starts on winter sports centre

WORK on a much-anticipated indoor winter sports centre in Trafford Park is finally underway after more than a year of delays.

Bulldozers moved onto the Trafford Way site, next to the Trafford Centre last week and the £31million development is now expected to be completed by October next year.

The Chill Factor E complex, which received planning permission in August 2004, had initially been scheduled for completion this summer.

But a series of unexpected complications surrounding a legal agreement, which acted as a proviso for the scheme have resulted in building work being repeatedly put on hold.

“We are creating an exhilarating mix of state of the art leisure, lifestyle retail facilities and contemporary design."
David Sterland, managing director of Chill Factor E

David Sterland, managing director of Chill Factor E, said: "It has been frustrating but we are very pleased to be on site and to now have a date when we hope to be opening."

He added: "We are creating an exhilarating mix of state of the art leisure, lifestyle retail facilities and contemporary design.

"We are confident that we are creating one of the country's most outstanding leisure venues."

Covering 23,225sqm, the Alpine Village' will include the UK's longest and widest real snow indoor ski slope - 180 metres long and 100 metres wide - as well as a rock-climbing wall, toboggan run, children's snowplay zone and indoor skateboard park.

There will also be a warm' zone containing bars and restaurants with panoramic windows and balconies overlooking the slopes.

Peter Moore, chairman of the management team, said: "We want people to enjoy the off-piste buzz of a little Alpine village.

"Just like the best ski resorts, it will be a great mix of skiers, boarders, shoppers and people of all ages out for a meal or a drink in a great environment."

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How a cool £31m will bring the Alps to Trafford

Published on Aug 24 2006 MANCHESTER'S Trafford Centre is not a name which springs to mind when it comes to listing the world’s favourite ski destinations. But this could be about to change, for North West skiers at least, with the construction of the £31m Chill Factor – which aims to be the biggest and best indoor ski slope in the UK.

Centrepiece of the 23,225 sq m venue will be a 180-metre long ski slope, as well as rock-climbing wall, toboggan run, children’s snowplay zone and skateboard park. It will be a styled along the lines of an Austrian Alpine village with just as much attention being put on the detail of the après-ski and retailing operations as the snow quality and ski coaching.

Chill Factor is one of the biggest leisure industry start-ups for some time, and assembling the equity and debt financing has proved challenging.

Despite an experienced management team led by Peter Moore, a leisure industry veteran, and David Sterland and Andrew Lockerbie, who have considerable snow sport operational experience, there is a noticeable absence of North West venture capitalists from the roll call of advisers.

Bridge Community Ventures


It has been left to less well-known names to shoulder the risk. Bridge Community Ventures, the UK’s first community venture capital company which invests in ambitious companies in regeneration areas, has committed £3m and Pemberstone Group, a property investor, has also contributed risk capital. Halliwells in the legal adviser.

Funding for the £31m project was arranged by Structured Risk Products, a London financial adviser, and Royal Bank of Scotland has provided a senior development loan to be paid in lump sums throughout the development phase, along with a structured hedge which provides a low start interest rate to support the project during construction and initial trading. Allied Irish Bank Capital Markets has provided a mezzanine loan facility.

Chill Factor’s location is one of its big assets. It is next to a motorway exit and the Trafford Centre, which attracts 30m people a year. Some 6.5m people are within a 45 minute drive. Chill Factor chairman Peter Moore, whose leisure marketing skills were honed during stints as managing director of Center Parcs and marketing director of Alton Towers, says that half of the expected 1m visitors a year will probably be non-skiers.

Alpine village

“Chill factor is much more than a conventional indoor ski slope”, says Moore. “We want people to enjoy the off-piste buzz of a little Alpine village. 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 great mix of skiers, boarders, shoppers and people of all ages out for a meal or drink”.

Chill Factor, which is due to open in October 2007, is not the first of its kind in the UK. Artificial ski slopes have been around for some time, and Xscape, headed by PY Gebereau, a French showman who helped turn round Paris’s EuroDisney and London’s Millennium Dome, has had considerable success. Xscape owns similar indoor ski slopes in Milton Keynes, Castleford, and most recently Glasgow’s Braehead.

The Castleford Xscape, which opened in 2003 and is an hour’s drive away on the other side of the Pennines, has become Yorkshire’s biggest tourist attraction with 3.5m visitors a year.

Retail mall

The big difference between Xscape and Manchester’s Chill Factor is that in the case of the former the “snow side of things is ancillary to the sizeable retail mall”, says Moore.

In the case of Chill Factor not only will its slope be much wider, but it will look like an Alpine ski resort rather than a leisure activity inside a shopping centre.

Thanx JRB i can't wait for this!

I just saw the impression of this above and it reminded me of a fantastic abandonded hotel in Tunisia with the podium sticking out to one side. I will try and find a picture of it as it was a fantastic 50/60's Thunderbirds style to it more curves than the ski slope design wich is a bit boxy looking a few curves would relate a bit more to the snow slopes.

Has it started yet or are we still waiting because I remember one of the saying about 2-3 weeks ago it would start within 2 weeks?

i think it has started i think there is a crane on the site not sure though

No cranes yet, but the ground has been cleared. Went passed the site today on my way to North Wales.

Drove over Barton Bridge yesterday afternoon and there's plenty of activity on-site. There's definitely a mini crane aswell.

Drove over Barton Bridge yesterday afternoon and there's plenty of activity on-site. There's definitely a mini crane aswell.
Sounds good. I can't wait to try it out.

Drove over Barton Bridge yesterday afternoon and there's plenty of activity on-site. There's definitely a mini crane aswell.

There is a mini crane JRB but it's not working on the Chill Factor E site, it's working on a new travelodge next door. Plenty of action today, the hoardings have been erected around the site and the ground has been marked out.

Ice complex welcomes VIPs

TRAFFORD's first real snow alpine ski village, Chill Factor, invited its very first VIP visitors last week.

The Mayor of Trafford, Cllr Vivienne Ward, Council leader Cllr Susan Williams, Deputy Chief Executive Gary Pickering and ward councillor Edith Edie watched work progressing on the site and viewed plans on the £31m development.

Construction work began earlier this month and is set to be completed in October 2007.

Cllr Ward, said: "This is a very exciting and eye-catching construction development a first for Trafford, Manchester and the North West and we are delighted that Chill Factor has decided to locate here.

"We are looking forward to the completion of this new and ambitious leisure destination that will offer employment, economics and health and fitness benefits for local people an of course attract visitors from further a field."

Let it snow

Heather Greig-Smith meets the entrepreneurs behind the Chill Factor indoor ski centre

Snow is the vision. Three pure white ski slopes, a children’s snow play area, an alpine-style shopping village with balconies where you can experience the crisp frosty air until you want to retreat to the warmth of a restaurant for some fondue or steak. Chill Factor will have all of this – only it won’t be in Switzerland, it will be in Manchester.

The £31m scheme, masterminded by the people behind Center Parcs (see box, below) and the Milton Keynes Xscape snowdome, is under construction next to the Trafford Centre. Aware that many would be sceptical, Chill Factor did not publicise its planning success until the first spade hit the ground and there was proof that the project was serious.

Chairman Peter Moore and managing director David Sterland are more than serious when Property Week meets them in Manchester’s Lowry. They are evangelical about snow.

‘It’s got to be about the snow,’ says Moore, as he criticises schemes that support retail at the cost of the leisure element. ‘The most important thing is to build the snow operation – the retail and restaurants will complement it.’

With this in mind, they have designed the layout of the 250,000 sq ft (23,250 sq m) venue so that shoppers can see the snow from the ‘streetscape’ at the bottom of the slope, rather than tucking it out of the way underneath the slope. There will be ‘cold side’ snow facilities and ‘warm side’ retail and restaurants.

The slope will be the longest and widest indoor real snow slope in the UK, 180 metres long and 100 metres wide. It was designed by architect FaulknerBrowns.

A 10,000 sq ft (930 sq m) flagship Snow & Rock mountain and snowsports store will anchor the scheme as part of the 4,300 sq ft (399 sq m) retail facilities.

Piste of the action

Brett Chambers, letting agent for the scheme, says: ‘It is the only concept of its type in the north-west and is located next to one of the country’s most successful shopping and leisure complexes, with 30 million visitors a year.’

The planning application was submitted jointly with Peel Holdings and permission was granted in April last year. Chill Factor is leasing land from Peel. The Royal Bank of Scotland has provided debt funding, and Allied Irish Bank has provided the mezzanine loan. Equity investment has come from Bridges Community Ventures and Pemberstone Group, the privately owned property and private equity investor.

Despite the fact that the slope will obscure the view of the Trafford Centre from the motorway, Peel is behind it. Gordon McKinnon, the centre’s director of operations, says it will add to the already substantial facilities of the golf driving range, JJB Soccer Dome, David Lloyd Health Club and four hotels. A shuttle bus will run from the centre to Chill Factor.

‘While it is being run as a separate entity, it will very much link in with the Trafford Centre and the regional sports centre that sits alongside it,’ says McKinnon. ‘It will be one iconic building next to another.’

Above the retail will be alpine-style restaurants such as a creperie and a steak restaurant based on the upmarket Entrecote model. There are also plans for conference space to host events and launches, and a ‘world-class’ skate park.

Chill Factor went on site in August and should be finished by October next year. Prices for entry to the snow side of the operation have not yet been fixed, but Moore and Sterland say they will be about the same as other similar venues. However, they are hoping to offer more time on the slopes for the same price. Regardless of global warming, you will soon be able to build a snowman next to the Trafford Centre.

Let it snow

Heather Greig-Smith meets the entrepreneurs behind the Chill Factor indoor ski centre

Snow is the vision. Three pure white ski slopes, a children’s snow play area, an alpine-style shopping village with balconies where you can experience the crisp frosty air until you want to retreat to the warmth of a restaurant for some fondue or steak. Chill Factor will have all of this – only it won’t be in Switzerland, it will be in Manchester.

The £31m scheme, masterminded by the people behind Center Parcs (see box, below) and the Milton Keynes Xscape snowdome, is under construction next to the Trafford Centre. Aware that many would be sceptical, Chill Factor did not publicise its planning success until the first spade hit the ground and there was proof that the project was serious.

Chairman Peter Moore and managing director David Sterland are more than serious when Property Week meets them in Manchester’s Lowry. They are evangelical about snow.

‘It’s got to be about the snow,’ says Moore, as he criticises schemes that support retail at the cost of the leisure element. ‘The most important thing is to build the snow operation – the retail and restaurants will complement it.’

With this in mind, they have designed the layout of the 250,000 sq ft (23,250 sq m) venue so that shoppers can see the snow from the ‘streetscape’ at the bottom of the slope, rather than tucking it out of the way underneath the slope. There will be ‘cold side’ snow facilities and ‘warm side’ retail and restaurants.

The slope will be the longest and widest indoor real snow slope in the UK, 180 metres long and 100 metres wide. It was designed by architect FaulknerBrowns.

A 10,000 sq ft (930 sq m) flagship Snow & Rock mountain and snowsports store will anchor the scheme as part of the 4,300 sq ft (399 sq m) retail facilities.

Piste of the action

Brett Chambers, letting agent for the scheme, says: ‘It is the only concept of its type in the north-west and is located next to one of the country’s most successful shopping and leisure complexes, with 30 million visitors a year.’

The planning application was submitted jointly with Peel Holdings and permission was granted in April last year. Chill Factor is leasing land from Peel. The Royal Bank of Scotland has provided debt funding, and Allied Irish Bank has provided the mezzanine loan. Equity investment has come from Bridges Community Ventures and Pemberstone Group, the privately owned property and private equity investor.

Despite the fact that the slope will obscure the view of the Trafford Centre from the motorway, Peel is behind it. Gordon McKinnon, the centre’s director of operations, says it will add to the already substantial facilities of the golf driving range, JJB Soccer Dome, David Lloyd Health Club and four hotels. A shuttle bus will run from the centre to Chill Factor.

‘While it is being run as a separate entity, it will very much link in with the Trafford Centre and the regional sports centre that sits alongside it,’ says McKinnon. ‘It will be one iconic building next to another.’

Above the retail will be alpine-style restaurants such as a creperie and a steak restaurant based on the upmarket Entrecote model. There are also plans for conference space to host events and launches, and a ‘world-class’ skate park.

Chill Factor went on site in August and should be finished by October next year. Prices for entry to the snow side of the operation have not yet been fixed, but Moore and Sterland say they will be about the same as other similar venues. However, they are hoping to offer more time on the slopes for the same price. Regardless of global warming, you will soon be able to build a snowman next to the Trafford Centre.

2nd

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Has your mouse finger jigging away to McFly's greatest hits again jrb? Tip-tappy-tastic!

Hopefully the ski-slope will provide even more incentive for them to get off their arses and extend the metrolink to the Trafford Centre.

Shame they'll only be running a shuttle bus to it from the centre - I wanted a monorail! :rofl:

Article about the man behind Chill Factor E in todays MEN.

Few points.

Cost, £31 million. Jobs, 1000. Costs, adults, £20 for 90 minutes, Children, £12.
Doesn't sound cheap, but if you compare it to a Premiership match is not bad value. The rest is about him.

1000 jobs!!!!!!!!!!
How do they work that one out?

1000 people to march up Scandinavia with buckets to fetch snow.

and a few snow rakers. And real life snow men (cheaper than animatronics). and a few dozen blondes to screw in the lightbulbs.

1000 jobs!!!!!!!!!!
How do they work that one out?

I think that includes Santa's helpers.

Tons of activity on site today. The frame is now well underway and already starting to make an impact. Looking good from Barton Bridge. The travelodge next to David Lloyd is also nearing completion in the traditional (if I can call it that) T/Centre style.

Is good to hear the building is coming along.

Ya i noticed the travelodge look a few weeks ago seems all the hotels round the trafford centre have to have a bit of the trafford centre style in them.

Anyone able to take some snaps? Dont get out that way very often....

Anyone able to take some snaps? Dont get out that way very often....

Here you go archi - taken today - this whole area is going to get so busy what with the Trafford Centre extension, Wigan rugby league stadium and hotel development and just opposite the Chill E Devoplment a new hotel is being built. As a kid I used to live just down the road in Davyhulme and remember many a happy day playing round the fields and woods here.


http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d144/legin3/DSCN0657.jpg

is this gonna be permanent

Yes very permanent, its no small ice rink.

Also welcome to the forums, as I see your a new member.

yea ive been on the website for a bit i just ad problems regestrin but its r8 now

Couldn't find the Trafford Centre thread so I'll just post in here.

The Barton Square extension is well under way now with diggers and drills in place. I've got a quick snap on my phone I'll upload...

http://static.flickr.com/118/297315402_b6dd7478b3.jpg

Whats the barton square extension any pic or info anyone?

Cheers for the snap Legin, going to be interesting to see how far away it has an impact from; the Milton Keynes version is startlingly visible for miles around.

Salomon signs partnership with Chill Factor e
Posted Wednesday, October 18, 2006 by dunx

Salomon has signed a partnership agreement with Chill Factore, the North West’s first indoor real snow Alpine village which will open in October 07.

The deal includes the supply of all ski and snowboard rental equipment, hosting of events and promotions, plus Salomon sponsored team riders. Additionally, the destination will be the venue of a Salomon Test Centre where customers of Chill Factore can try out the latest technology and equipment before it hits the shops.

Says Sonia Prior, general manager of Salomon, “As an industry, we need to be encouraging people into wintersports and what better place to get a convenient,authentic, premium experience than at Chill Factore. We in turn can offer equipment boasting the latest technology and comfort which will make it easier for beginners to enjoy their first-time experiences on snow as well as great consumer events, endorsement from our pro riders and the Salomon team of hugely enthusiastic experts. We are very excited about this partnership.”

David Sterland, MD of Chill Factore adds, “We are delighted to announce this partnership and to be working with a renowned name like Salomon - one of the world’s leading snow and outdoor sports companies. Our aim is to consistently give Chill Factore customers the best snow and leisure experience and this relationship means that they will have use of the latest, most hi-tech equipment - some of it before it even reaches the stores.”

SNOW + ROCK ROLLS INTO CHILL FACTORe

North West’s first real snow destination signs up anchor retail tenant

Chill Factore has confirmed that Snow+Rock, the UK’s leading wintersports and outdoor specialist retailer, is to be the anchor tenant at the North West’s first real snow indoor ski village, currently being built next to Manchester’s Trafford Centre.

Snow+Rock has signed an agreement to lease the 10,000 sq ft (930 sq m) flagship unit a full 12 months before the venue is due to open.

Announcing the news Peter Moore, Chairman of Chill Factore, said: “We are delighted to welcome on board one of the most prestigious names in the wintersports retail sector. Snow+Rock is an outstanding organisation rightly renowned for the quality of the products and service they offer. They are a perfect fit for Chill Factore and the excellence we seek in our concept and the ambiance we want to bring to our customers. There is no doubt their presence will help make Chill Factore an even greater leisure and shopping destination for wintersport fans”.

Work has already begun on the 250,000 sq ft alpine village, which will open in October 2007. The £31m development, located next to The Trafford Centre and just off J10 of the M60, will offer a select cluster of shops, bars and restaurants situated in an authentically-designed alpine village, as well as the country’s finest year-round snow-based activities.

The leisure element will include the country’s longest and widest real snow indoor ski slope (180 metres long and 100 metres wide), a rock-climbing wall, a toboggan run, a children’s snowplay area, and indoor skateboard park.

Dion Taylor, Managing Director of Snow+Rock, said: “We are very excited about our first snow village retail outlet in the United Kingdom, and to be working with Chill Factore. As passionate skiers and snowboarders we are pleased to be working with a group of individuals that understand the needs of snow sports’ enthusiasts. Chill Factore is focused on delivering a quality experience to people of all ages and abilities, and we are especially looking forward to enhancing our levels of customer service and using the real snow to provide maximum benefit for our customers.”

The Snow+Rock store will be a major attraction in the retail and leisure element of the Chill Factore and will showcase an expansive range of clothing and equipment for skiers, snowboarders and outdoor enthusiasts.

and also the center now has a website

http://www.chillfactore.com/home/

has a fair bit of info on it a render of the shopping area and a letting plan and brochure look good, looks like it will defiantly take over the skyline

Pretty disapointing piste length. Looks more like a shopping mall with a ski slope as a side attraction.

Sorry to be really dull and planning officer-esque but parking provision doesnt look sufficient IMO. I see problems there - unless they extend the swathe of tarmac out front right up to the M60.
This is going to a very popular 'destination' and there is a lot of emphasis in the brochure about good public transport links be lets be honest, no one is going to use public transport to get there.
Once Salford reds get their stadium its going to be a FUCKING nightmare round there traffic wise (like its not already).
That whole area is a fuck up from a urban design and planning point of view.
The trafford centre went to several public enquiries and took years to get planning and came with some serious riders regarding traffic management. However since then there has been piecemeal creeping developments all around. If everything that is there now had been in the initial application there is no way on Gods green earth it would have got approval.
You've got three competing local authorities wanting a piece of the action with Peel a far too influencial 'partner' IMO and an important through-route motorway charging through the middle of it all.
This is shortsited 'development' IMO because you will reach gridlock and people will just avoid the place in the near future simply because they cant fucking get there! Similiar things have happened in the United States but no body seems to care about that. I for one would welcome some planners going on an away day to several American cities and see what a social disaster this sort of thing does to cities.
V V bad.
Rant over.....



...until next time!

Is that the australian Rod Jane and freddy in your avatar longschlong? I'm jumping on the emigration bandwagon to perth in 11 days and hoped you might have the phone number of that oriental chick in said program.

I agree. The transport needs sorting out. Some proper money needs spending on both Junctions 9 and 10 of the M60 and Junction 2 of the M602. At the same time the access to Trafford Centre itself needs freeing up. Set after set of traffic lights have to be negotiated which give equal weight to traffic in all directions. The timing needs extending directly into the centre from the motorway junctions to stop what is becoming a dangerous queue on the motorways. After that, the TC needs more parking already, so if parking isn't sufficiently provided for the other facilities, not only will there be a backup on the motorway there will be a lot of fucked off drivers trying to get back on it to go somewhere else.

I think the Trafford Centre area should continue to be developed. And more and more facilities should be built there. It's not in anyones way, there isn't any residential community (to speak of) to displace, and therefore its probably the best place to focus recreational development. Unless we are happy to drive from one end of GM to the other for bits of this and that. In environmental terms alone it makes sense to focus development like this as it concentrates the 'collateral damage' to one area.

The traffic is the biggest problem... but its not the fault of the car, it's the fault of the planning... a problem which is endemic in transport all over the UK. I'm sick of hearing ppl bitching about cars when its the traffic planner that should be getting the whipping... we should be spending a lot, lot more money on traffic infrastructure, not penalising the people that use it.

good public transport links be lets be honest, no one is going to use public transport to get there.

I was the person that got the bus to the Trafford Centre...TWICE! If I want to go skiiing I'll be bussing it there, too. Admittedly its not good public transport though. Pehapse with another business there its someone else that can help stump up some tram extension money.

Metrolink, Is a shops and owner funded Trafford Centre extention ever got any chance of happening?

Nothing pisses me off more than good things getting knocked back because of parking; all you bloody road hogs out there that drive too fast and don't indicate for pedestrians. Damn you [shakes fist]!

I know nothing on the subject but can understand parking issues in towns and city centres where there is no space. Next to ring road motorway there should not be problems or excuses.

I pay my council tax so the coucil can build roads to get me to the places I want to go (within reason). If the roads are not suitable then the council should fix it. The councils paid the planners in the first place, right? That means its the councils fault if its wrong. Instead of knocking people back (not that they did in this instance) they should work on accommodating the traffic increase with the developers.

I pay my council tax so the coucil can build roads to get me to the places I want to go (within reason).

Or, come to think of it, is that road tax? Which I don't pay because I don't have a car. :?

If thats the case I'd better shut my mouth and stop walking in the middle of the your roads when I'm drunk.

Is that the australian Rod Jane and freddy in your avatar longschlong? I'm jumping on the emigration bandwagon to perth in 11 days and hoped you might have the phone number of that oriental chick in said program.

Its Kajagoogoo you muppet!

Nah, I'm only 25 so don't remember them, yet I'm old enough to need glasses from all the internet 'reasearch' I do.

Probably the third best British pop band with a daft name from the 80's i'll have you know!
I'll do you a tape (an SA90 if youre lucky) of all their best tracks if you want.

Progressing nicely - they are constructing a large car parking area to the left of this picture - also there are loads of car parking spaces at the football dome thing just next door so I don't think parking will be an issue.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d144/legin3/dec066.jpg

Jerv you going for good how did you get your visa it took me ages to get mine and alot of money?

Manchester's new indoor ski slope seeks restaurant chains
(04 December 2006 10:02)

Restaurant chains have been invited to show their interest in opening outlets in a planned indoor snow development near Manchester.

The £31m Chill Factore, which is due to open next October in a development four miles from Manchester city centre next to the Trafford Centre, will offer the “longest and widest” real snow indoor ski slope in England.

The developers want to include an Italian/pizza restaurant, a noodle bar, an American-style diner, an ice cream parlour, a sandwich shop/deli, a chicken restaurant, and a bar, all arranged on a Alpine-themed street.

They will complement the coffee shop, creperie and steak restaurant which are already confirmed.

David Sterland, managing director, said: “Chill Factore presents a remarkable restaurant and retail opportunity with its powerful location, catchment area, customer profile and consumer offer.

“The emphasis is as much on the retail and catering element as the snowsports activity so the venue will be as appealing to diners and shoppers as skiers.”

The developers want to include an Italian/pizza restaurant, a noodle bar, an American-style diner, an ice cream parlour, a sandwich shop/deli, a chicken restaurant, and a bar, all arranged on a Alpine-themed street.


Pizza Express, Wagamama, Burger King, Millies Cookies, Subway, Nandos, Wetherspoons.

Will really have that Alpine feeling

:lol:

Maybe I'm too cynical.

Pizza Express, Wagamama, Burger King, Millies Cookies, Subway, Nandos, Wetherspoons.

Will really have that Alpine feeling

i doubt the ones in bold will be in there as they are all in the The Trafford Centre

i doubt the ones in bold will be in there as they are all in the The Trafford Centre

Another Subway around the corner has never stopped one opening up a matter of feet away before...

Another Subway around the corner has never stopped one opening up a matter of feet away before...

true but with the others i dont think they will open in there i think chill factor e is looking for retailers new to manchester really something different as people will just start calling it a copy of the trafford centre if it has the same retailers and that is something they wont want

Quote from one of the letting agents DTZ

It’s not all jet setting though: I have spent the majority of the past few weeks in the office, getting my teeth into a new instruction, Chill Factore - the new snow dome currently under construction opposite the Trafford Centre in Manchester. This instruction is particularly exciting for me as skiing is my big passion! The retail space is nearly all under offer, so we are focusing our attentions on attracting restaurant operators to the leisure space.

The steel frame for the Barton Sq scheme is now going up at the Trafford Centre. Here is a small article from www.retailpropertyanddevelopment.co.uk

A £60 million development has started at the Trafford Centre in Manchester.

Once completed, Barton Square will provide a unique shopping environment offering 200,000 sq ft of high quality home ware merchandise that is not currently available within The Trafford Centre.

Designed in the distinctive Trafford Centre style, Barton square will feature a stunning glazed pedestrian bridge linking it to The Trafford Centre, a 67 metre high feature lit tower, 35 metre Rotunda Domed entrance walkway and an open-air courtyard incorporating water features surrounded by a Marble floor.

http://www.retailpropertyanddevelopment.co.uk/images/stories/online/bartonsquare.jpg

WORK has started on a £31 million indoor snow village in the North West, next to the region’s prestigious Trafford Centre. Chill Factore - the 250,000 sq ft real snow Alpine village will offer retailers an unrivalled opportunity to trade next to one of the country’s most successful shopping and leisure complexes, with 30 million visitors a year, as well as an excellent road and motorway network with almost 6.5 million people, including almost three million ABC1s, living within a 45-minute drive time.
Terms are being finalised with a number of retailers, including a 10,000 sq ft mountain and snowsports flagship store and a state of the art skateboard park adjoining the village.
Retail units range from 484 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft for A1 (general retail) and A3 (bar, restaurant and other food) use. Due to open in October 2007, Chill Factore will feature the UK’s longest and widest real snow indoor ski slope and will include a toboggan run and children’s snowplay zone as well as a rock-climbing wall and skateboard park.
David Sterland, Chill Factore’s managing director, commented: “At Chill Factore retailers have a rare opportunity to do business in a powerful location with a dynamic catchment area that allows them to tap into more than £10 billion of potential retail expenditure within a 45-minute drive.

http://www.retailpropertyanddevelopment.co.uk/images/stories/sept2006/SnowslopeNorthWest.jpg

ya that chill factor e article was from a while ago when it was confirmed construction was starting as we know now that Snow + Rock are opening a 10,00 sp ft store in the centre, aint heard anything else over the skate park though yet i suppose if the deal has been signed it will probably be built just before it opened or just after it opens

Construction update. (pictures taken today)

Website is also up. (has it already been posted?)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/chill2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/chill1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture197.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture198-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture200-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture199-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture201-1.jpg

www.chillfactore.com

ya the websites been up since about Late November/ Early December

nice construction update seems to be coming along nicely

McCann slaloms to ski centre win

McCann Erickson has been handed the advertising account for Chill Factor, a new indoor ski village being built near Manchester.

The agency’s Manchester arm will handle all above the line activity for the centre’s launch later this year.

cant get at the rest as it is a supscription site only

http://www.mad.co.uk/

Excellent to see this is really happening at last!

Anyone want some pictures of the ski slope thingy under construction?

Well your going to get them anyway.
You dont want to know the lengths i went to to get these pictures!
I am, after all, a fucking artist and will suffer for my art!

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/garybaldy/IMG_9273.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f85/garybaldy/IMG_9248.jpg

They could do with landscaping the areas surrounding jjb, david lloyd though. Bit messy around there at the moment.

In fact they should market the whole area inc the trafford center as one entity. Like a disney world of the northwest. I mean we have more things than disney world, skiing, golf, football, shopping entertainment, why not have it all promoted.

cheers for the pics longy ,,, its coming on fast :)

ya it is looking good it will have to be coming along quickly seeing as it is opening in October

ya it is looking good it will have to be coming along quickly seeing as it is opening in October

I went past it at the weekend on the m60 - it'll look quite impressive from there. With the cluster of facilities round there they could do with a link from the Traffic Centre (a monorail like the ones that connect the hotels in Las Vegas). I know it won't actually happen, but it looks like an unpleasant trek across heaving traffic to get to it from the shopping centre.

[QUOTE=The Longford;11182533]Anyone want some pictures of the ski slope thingy under construction?

Well your going to get them anyway.
You dont want to know the lengths i went to to get these pictures!
I am, after all, a fucking artist and will suffer for my art!



Admit it Longford - you broke into that driving range didn't you.

I went past it at the weekend on the m60 - it'll look quite impressive from there. With the cluster of facilities round there they could do with a link from the Traffic Centre (a monorail like the ones that connect the hotels in Las Vegas). I know it won't actually happen, but it looks like an unpleasant trek across heaving traffic to get to it from the shopping centre.

i think in the planning permission they had to do a metro shuttle bus link (like the one TC do from stretford) to The Trafford Centre and Chill FactorE so no monorail but there will be a link to it and back

i think in the planning permission they had to do a metro shuttle bus link (like the one TC do from stretford) to The Trafford Centre and Chill FactorE so no monorail but there will be a link to it and back

Yeah, a trafford centre to Chill FactorE shuttle bus is confirmed on the chilly web site.

ya it is


Location, location, location... try this! Next to the Trafford Centre which attracts 30 million shoppers p a
Direct shuttle bus from the Trafford Centre
Direct access from Junction 10 M60
4 miles from Manchester city centre
Excellent bus links to the Trafford Centre from all over the region
Landmark building for the northwest towering over the M60.
4.5 million people within 30 minutes drive
6.5 million people within 45 minutes drive
£13 billion regional expenditure
10,000 sq.ft. flagship store already let to National mountain and snowsports retailer Snow and Rock

Admit it Longford - you broke into that driving range didn't you.

No, 'fraid not........


.....but i tried! :naughty:

Somewhat related, I want to see how they decide to attach the new outdoor extension of the Trafford Centre to what's currently there. Last I heard it was a big glass bridge they wanted.

Maybe we can pursuade them to ditch that and do a shuttle monorail that goes from there and then to Chill FactorE in a loop :D

i'd like to know how they intend putting a glass bridge and where?

in the plans for Barton Square they have a Glass Bridge linking from the upper Peel Avenue car park across Barton Dock Road and into the new Barton Square, i doubt they would do a monorail to much money and we arnt that lazy surely

Plus remember that Barton Sq is a re-branded Giants Field. It will be served by Metrolink should the Trafford Centre extension ever get built.

After posting that I had a slightly frustrated rant to my self at the lack of progress on the Metrolink expansion to the TC and went off to do some googling.

Don't get me wrong, I supported the construction of the Trafford Centre and still believe it to be a huge asset to the region. But I am really pissed of at the government officials who allowed the Trafford Centre to be built without any real access by public transport.

Just compare it to the Meddowhall centre in Sheffield which has both heavy and light rail. I've just done a search for rail journeys from Stockport to Meddowhall, it would appear you can catch a direct train that takes just 50minutes. Next using the GMPTE journey planner I learn that taking a bus from Stockport to the Trafford Centre would take me between 1h 02m and 1h 14m. Insane.

Then whatever happened to the commitments Peel gave to invest £16m in Metrolink following planning consent for Giants Field?

This article (http://www.poptel.org.uk/trafford.park/28.HTM) is 9 years old now.

And where are we today? Barton Sq has steel frames erected and acres of publicity for it's 630 free parking spaces. But not a word on the future possibility and financial support for trams. All that google turns up are the bitter ramblings of SSC members 12 months ago:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/archive/index.php/index.php?t-261595.html
Metrolink December 30th, 2005, 01:25 PM


Peel get away with murder.

Part of the concent for the Traffic Centre was at least 25% (or maybe 33% - my memory is failing me) of visitors would go by public transport - otherwise they'd get huge fines.

Hence the talks about phase 3 involving a privately funded tram line to the TC.

Of course mile less than 25% of people go to the TC on public transport and the tram line never got built - but Peel have got around the public transport obligations because of the general failure to get more trams.

With regards the season tickets for the Salford people, would be nice if the money could be put aside, along with other money from developments in the area, to build the spur to the lowry, and fund a tram or two more for the line - could be added onto the phase 3 tram purchase. This type of requirement for new building projects, i.e. funding transport, is regular in Scandinavian countries, especially Finland.

Potato Man December 30th, 2005, 03:03 PM

Just to add to this. Information below is extracted from TC's twice yearly exit surveys (2004).

How customers travel the Centre

Car 87%
Bus8%
Walk2%
Coach1%
Metrolink Shuttle Bus 1%
Other1%

It may also interest you to know that 65% of visitors are female, 54% live in Greater Manchester and each visitor group spends an average of £103.54.

On a slighlty different note, note that the controversial Giants Field (now rebranded as Barton Square) development is going ahead without Metrolink despite the requirements of the public inquiry.

Sorry, I know this probably doesn't belong in this thread, but it is nice to get it off my chest.

In the original plans Peel Holdings included the Metrolink and even offered to pay for the entire route from near Old Trafford. The route was refused for some reason by that fat idiot John Prescott. This seems funny because now the area is completely covered in sheds etc. I dont really know what reason he had to rufuse it, but it is completely crazy that there is only a cheap bus station to such a huge area of developement. So in this case it is not the fault of Peel Holdings

I can understand why the City Centre - TC route was rejected. Manchester CC would I think have quietly lobied against the prospect of encouraging people to spend even more of their money 'out of their city'. People will go to which ever is the cheaper, best to get to and/or most attractive. My guess is that people that live near the CC or have easy public transport connections will use this option. The problem with PT is that if you've a sackfull of things getting on a tram etc is so much more painful and possibly impractical than using a boot!

Wasnt there some political 'i'm taking my ball home' type of posturing wherein the various councils objected so adamantly against the TC that they refused to negotiate at all with Peel on anything fearing it would show they approved of the development?
I'm surprised there hasnt been some legal action taken over the 33% public transport obligation that hasnt been met.
People are just shit scared of Peel - dont know why. If i could be bothered i would take a civil action over there blatant disregard for planning restrictions - i seem to remember the application was only granted with the understanding that any future development round and about the TC would not be retail. How this 'extention' fits in is anyones guess?
Has anybody bothered to mention this flagrant breach to Ruth Kelly (she is in charge of this sort of thing nowadays)?

Did they not have plans to build a canal and have water busses from salford quays to the TC. Would this be a better option than a tram? No i thought not.

ya there are pans for them to build a new canal and have water buses from The Quays to The Trafford Centre


Waterway to get to the shops!

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/8152/tc2cd5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

SAIL: The Ship Canal view to the Centre's dome.
SHOPPERS will be able to go to the Trafford Centre by boat on the first canal to be built in Greater Manchester for more than 100 years.

They will be ferried there in Venetian-style water taxis from Salford Quays.

Property developer Peel Holdings, which owns the Trafford Centre, has been granted planning permission to build the 600-metre canal linking Trafford Boulevard, which runs alongside the Trafford Centre, with the Manchester Ship Canal.

The new canal will create the potential to build lucrative waterside apartments and offices alongside the new spur on a section of vacant land belonging to Peel Holdings.

Trafford council granted permission for the new canal and it is estimated that building work will take around a year although no start date has yet been set.

'Trafford Quays'

Mike Butterworth, property director of Peel Holdings, said: "We have a site opposite the Trafford Centre which we would like to see developed.

"We thought as a first step we would like to introduce some water into the site, which we are planning to called Trafford Quays.

We hope one day to be able to develop it, but in the meantime we want to run water taxis from the Trafford Centre to Salford Quays. We are now working on the technical challenges.

"If you go to York a trip along the river it is part of a day out and we are hoping to achieve that kind of leisure appeal.

"It would be particularly interesting if the BBC re-locate to Salford Quays because the new building will be on land adjacent to the canal, meaning a direct link to the Trafford Centre."

Venice

Company bosses are hoping that if they win the race to re-home the BBC at the Quays, the water taxis will be a transport link for the new headquarters. It was announced last week that the company has been shortlisted to build the new headquarters if the Salford site is chosen over one near the existing HQ on Oxford Road.

It has not been decided how frequently the taxis would run or how many people they would carry.

The Manchester Ship Canal was the last canal to be built in Greater Manchester, completed in 1894.

Engineering historian Paul Dunkerley, who has created a heritage trail including Greater Manchester's canals for the Museum of Science and Industry, said he was excited by the plans.

He said: "The most recent canal built was the Ribble link in Lancashire, which opened for the Millennium, but I think the last new canal to open in Manchester was the ship canal.

"I have used the water taxis in Venice and they are wonderful."

The plans are likely to spark speculation that if the water taxis prove a success, the Trafford Centre will be tempted to shelve plans to pay for its own Metrolink line at some point in the future.

But a spokeswoman for the centre insisted that was not the case.

It's all downhill on PR team's latest task

TELLING the world about Greater Manchester's coolest new attraction is McCann-Erickson Communications House.

The Prestbury advertising agency has been appointed to handle the media advertising for the launch of Chill Factor, the real snow indoor ski village being built near to the Trafford Centre.

The multi-million pound attraction will open later this year and is billed as the country's finest all-year-round snow-based leisure scheme.

The three indoor slopes will provide the longest and widest real snow ski runs in the country, with nursery slopes for the beginner, a toboggan run and a snow play wonderland for kids.

Snow sports, lifestyle retailing and contemporary dining will complement each other - in an authentic Alpine setting, to bring a touch of après ski to the north west all year round.

Simon Buchanan, managing partner at McCann's, said: "It's exciting to be working on such a pioneering project."

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/8665/chillfactorevk3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/446/chillfactore2uj3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

MCCANN’S NEW WIN IS COOL IN THE EXTREME

McCann-Erickson Communications House has been appointed to handle the above the line launch for Chill Factore , the new real snow, indoor ski village being built near Manchester. The multi million pound experience will open in late 2007. Less than four miles from the city centre and next to the renowned Trafford Centre, Chill Factore will offer the country’s finest all year round snow based leisure. The three indoor slopes will provide the longest and widest real snow experience in the country with separate nursery slopes with the beginner in mind, a toboggan run and a snowplay wonderland for kids. Snowsports, lifestyle retailing and contemporary dining will complement each other in authentic, alpine settings, bringing a touch of après ski buzz to the North West – all year round. Chill Factore Chairman Peter Moore said: “McCann Erickson is one of the finest advertising agencies in the country with extensive retail and leisure experience and a strategic vision of how to reach people who want to experience winter sports throughout the year. McCann will help us establish Chill Factore as a major destination for people across the North West and beyond.” “It’s exciting to be working on such a pioneering project,” said McCann Erickson Managing Partner Simon Buchanan. “There is going to be a real buzz about this place by the time that it opens. It has been designed so that it offers a genuine experience for the expert skier and provides everything that the novice needs as well as creating a fantastic place to go for people who just want to enjoy the social side of an alpine experience.”

I was talking to this about my mates last night, in the pub. I know loads of people that can't wait until this is built.

People usually don't know whats happening in their own head, never mind whats going on in the Manchester development world, but everyone seems to know about this thing.

I saw read an article that said there are several other new ski centres that are up to twice the size of this, that have got or have been submitted for planning around the UK. While chilly is being advertised as the biggest and the best it probably won't be for long.

I don't care though. Ours has already started. :)

SHOPPERS will be able to go to the Trafford Centre by boat on the first canal to be built in Greater Manchester for more than 100 years.


That's bullshit, they've just built one at New Islington. I think the MEN may mentioned that fact themselves!

I don't think it's gonna be exactly Venetian-style..

http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/T02_Imag/02.24.7/Dscn6050.jpg

http://www.tuesdaynightclub.co.uk/T02_Imag/02.24.7/Dscn6047.jpg

But it's a start. :)

I'm telling ya, it's going to be just like disney world around there soon. Maybe they'll have a cablecar to City tower a la Barcelona. Circus Solei will set up permenantly maybe a little zoo and some sort of observation tower

Chills galore as Ski City takes shape

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/505/c17articles232835bodywerb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The ski slope being built near the Trafford Centre
THE Alps are about to be moved to Greater Manchester as Britain's biggest indoor ski centre takes shape.
Engineers have spent the last five months erecting a steel structure which will form the massive slopes of the £31 million Chill Factore at the side of the Trafford Centre.

The first of its kind in the north west, the centre will offer the crisp outdoor chill of a ski resort and the warmer atmosphere of an Alpine mountain village.

Peter Moore of Chill Factore said: "The venue will, without doubt, become a dramatic and iconic presence on Manchester's skyline.

"The slopes will be the longest and widest in the country, but the venue will be much more than a conventional ski slope.

"It will also offer a complete leisure experience that everyone will be able to enjoy.

"We 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.

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/5907/c17articles232835bodyweam3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Artist's impression of the snow centre
"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 `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.

A separate `warm' zone will feature Alpine-themed bars which have been specially designed by Austrian craftsmen and restaurants with panoramic windows and balconies overlooking the slopes.

Up to 250 people will be allowed on the slopes at any one time and they have been designed so that experienced snow boarders and skiers will be kept separate from novices.

It will also have 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 consortium of backers are behind the project and the 250,000 sq ft centre will employ more than 260 people when it opens this October.

The venue will overtake a Milton Keynes ski complex as the biggest indoor Alpine centre in the country.

I saw read an article that said there are several other new ski centres that are up to twice the size of this, that have got or have been submitted for planning around the UK. While chilly is being advertised as the biggest and the best it probably won't be for long.

I don't care though. Ours has already started. :)

There is nothing stopping this being extended in the future if it proves to be a success.

Chill Factore snowed under with job applicants

Following enormous interest from skiers and boarders around the world, the bosses of the new Chill Factore indoor snow centre currently under construction in Manchester are inviting people hoping to work at the facility to register their interest on the company’s website ahead of recruitment beginning in the spring.

The £31m venue, scheduled to open in the Autumn, is located next to the Trafford Centre shopping mall, four miles from Manchester city centre, off junction 10 of the M60. Besides the 180m long main slopes, which will be one of the world’s widest at 100m, it will also feature a rock climbing wall, toboggan run and children’s snowplay zone, complemented by a selection of shops, including a large Snow+Rock store, bars and restaurants arranged on the Alpine-themed street.

Salomon has signed a partnership agreement for the supply all ski and snowboard rentals along with a range of joint ventures and events. A Salomon Test Centre will be established at Chill Factore where customers can try out the latest technology and equipment before it hits the shops.

Andrew Lockerbie, Operations Director, said: “The idea of working in an indoor ski village has really sparked people’s imagination. We are delighted by the volume of calls we have received. Excitement about this venture is obviously spreading as people based in this country and beyond are contacting us to be part of the Chill Factore team so early in the construction process.

“More than 200 jobs will be available and, as befitting a top leisure destination, we are determined to get the best people for every position - highly skilled snow professionals, retail, bar, restaurant, maintenance, marketing, administration and cleaning staff.

“Although recruitment of managers won’t start until spring, with the rest of the staff gradually being brought on board from late summer onwards, we are already receiving so many enquiries that we are asking people to register their details on the website so we can contact them at the appropriate time.”

Anyone who wants to express an interest in joining the Chill Factore team should log on to the website www.chillfactore.com, then go to ‘contact us’ and register their details under ‘recruitment’.

a video from Granada Reports tonight (Fri) about the new Chill Factor E with footage of the contruction site and also of a model of what the inside will look like it looks really good cant wait for it to open now and it seems it will open a month later as it says on the report opening November 2007 compared to the reported October 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLdDmPT2c54

a video from Granada Reports tonight (Fri) about the new Chill Factor E with footage of the contruction site and also of a model of what the inside will look like it looks really good cant wait for it to open now and it seems it will open a month later as it says on the report opening November 2007 compared to the reported October 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLdDmPT2c54

The steel frame looks massive now. I'll try and get a few pics next week.

Good video. Just with Chill Factor E was a little bit bigger, like the one in Dubai. Still think like Longford did that we might have a parking problem, there really doesn't seem to be that much onsite.

I hope they'll do annual passes. I'll be getting one, I think i'll get my own skis and boots as well. My mates will ring me up and they'll be like "were all in the pub, where are ya?" and I'll be like "Am skiing cya inabit."

I can't wait til this is open... I'm gonna get my little fella up there it'll be brilliant!

Only dick splashes ski.

http://www.uncoveror.com/prince1.jpg

I rest my case.

Where have they got their hands...

I can't wait til this is open... I'm gonna get my little fella up there it'll be brilliant!

Seeing as this is meant to be a family-friendly facility, I think it would be a bit inappropriate for you to get your 'little fella' up on piste.

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=386783436&size=l

a picture from flickr (not taken by me) showing how quickly the main ski slope frame is coming along, is certainly starting to take shape and looking more and more like the renders we have seen

...'thought some of chaps might like to see how this bad boy is comin along :)

http://www.virtual-planit.com/CHRIS/chill1.jpg

http://www.virtual-planit.com/CHRIS/chill2.jpg

http://www.virtual-planit.com/CHRIS/chill3.jpg

http://www.virtual-planit.com/CHRIS/chill4.jpg

Cheers Bammy ,, it really coming on fast ,, whens it due for completion ?

ya is really coming along nice to see some cladding going on now, it should be open for October - November 2007, so i would imagine the main structure would be getting completed pretty soon and then you have the rest of the cladding to go on

Looking good.

This could be the reason why there are so many accidents on the Barton Bridge recently!!!

ya everyone just starring at how big the development is and maybe the shock of not being able to see the trafford centre

Picture from today, its not great taken with my phone
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Photo-0050.jpg

Picture from today, its not great taken with my phone
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v404/andysimo123/Photo-0050.jpg

holy crap-this thing is coming on fastmans

http://www.chillfactore.com/lettings/contact/ChillFactore4ppRestaurantBroAW.PDF

new brochure

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/6081/chillfactore1jt0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
inside
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/2443/chillfactoresi1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
exterior
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7810/chillfactore2lg0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
interior

as it says in the brochure is 70% under offer or let

the website has been revamped a bit with what the centre will have skiing, boarding, climbing, skateboarding, snowplay

Facts and Figures

25,000 square metres covered in real snow

Chill Factore occupies a prime 4.3 hectare site in Greater Manchester. The iconic construction has a 25,000 square metre footprint housing the longest and the widest main ski slope in the country. 3000 tonnes of steel and over 1000 pre-cast concrete piles are being deployed during a 63 week build schedule.

Chill Factore will be 44M high and the main ski slope will be 180M long with a width at the bottom of 100M. The depth of the snow is 400mm with a temperature within the ski box of minus 6 degrees C during snowmaking. The ski area combined with the restaurants and bars and the 16 outlet alpine street make this a very special building indeed.

Live Webcam http://www.chillfactore.com/construction/gallery/webcam.aspx

Restaraunts and Bars

Chill Factore will bring the atmosphere of an Alpine ski resort to the heart of the North West - without setting a foot outside.

A charming alpine street with your choice of restaurants and active lifestyle shopping, plus glühwein, and hot chocolate from slope-facing restaurants - will all be on hand to make the experience complete.

Great slope dining and super-cool shopping are always fundamental elements at a ski resort, and Chill Factore will be no different.

It will be THE destination for everyone, from smart Friday nighters looking for a great new scene to leisurely mid-week shoppers looking for some stylish retail therapy along with a good lunch or just a cup of coffee and slice of strudel.

Chill Factore's shops, bars and restaurants will welcome a great mix of visitors, happy to browse the stores or just sit and soak up the atmosphere. The sharpest boarders will impress spectators young and old, while everyone loves to watch little ones having a whale of time in the snow. That special mix - unique to a ski resort - comes when relaxation and exhilaration meet in that unique alpine setting.

Chill Factore will replicate the warm, comfortable interiors of a mountain village with its Alpine-inspired bars and restaurants and smart shopping. There will be a modern mix of dining styles. Overlooking the slope will be a sports bar, crêperie restaurant and full service restaurant, offering everything from sweet and savoury pancakes to a sustaining steak-frites. On the street an array of top brands in retail and restaurants allow for leisurely browsing and relaxed dining.

new website www.chillfactore.com

I can't wait. All I need now is some skis and boots. I best get shopping.

just get them from the shops there when it opens

Brilliant. It is absolutely brilliant. :)

just get them from the shops there when it opens

You mad, I bet the prices are crazy. I'll be getting mine off the net.

defiantly going to be a good reason to go to the area around the trafford centre now with Chill Factor e being there

Has anyone noticed that if you follow the line of the top of the building to the other side of the M60 there's a flat bit of ground been used as a car park or something, anyone up for a bit of:
http://www.007.info/FFImages/GGCarAMCHornet.jpg
?

A charming alpine street with your choice of restaurants and active lifestyle shopping, plus glühwein, and hot chocolate from slope-facing restaurants - will all be on hand to make the experience complete.

....Apart from the fact it will be full of scallys and arseholes.

Why didn't they include an ice rink? I mean, if you are going to cool an entire building the that extent, make the most of it. Some open air meat freezers too.

For anyway is a vaguely competent skier or boarder it will be shite. Great for first timers to get used to skis / boots / boards before their first proper ski trip, other than that, it's not worth it.

Why didn't they include an ice rink? I mean, if you are going to cool an entire building the that extent, make the most of it.

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7810/chillfactore2lg0.jpg

Look at the bottom of the pic!

"Ski : Snowboard : Climb : SKATE : eat : drink : leisure : lifestyle : retail"

hmmm...i wonder...

p.s. and it's in what is now called 'Trafford Quays', cool!

I’ll never go, but excited its going to be there! Lame to say, but I’ve never even ice skated let alone skied; maybe Mrs Architecty will drag me down!

There's a new icerink in Altrincham now, so if they build a rink here too we will have gone from none to two ice-rinks in one year!

Clazy.


EDIT: A bit of investigation on their site shows they mean skateboarding, and that there will be an outdoor skate-park.

At least we still have ice-skating in Altrincham! Though it would have made a lot of sense to put it here; maybe they will add one in to the Trafford Centre at some point, wouldn't surprise me if they did...

There's a new icerink in Altrincham now, so if they build a rink here too we will have gone from none to two ice-rinks in one year!

Clazy.

...yeah. Manchester gets everything....

;)

Chill Factore blazes ahead with first major booking

Chill Factore, the North West’s first real snow indoor Alpine ski village, is all fired up about the next World Firefighter Games, being hosted by Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service in 2008.

Organisers have confirmed that ski events will take place at Chill Factore (just off Junction 10 on the M60) - the venue’s first major booking confirmed eight months before it opens to the public.

The World Firefighter Games is a biennial event that attracts more than 5,000 competitors from all over the world to take part in 60 sporting events from boxing, football and swimming to skiing, tug-of-war and dragon-boat racing. The last event, in 2006, was held in Hong Kong.

Around a hundred firefighter skiers from Europe, USA, Far East and Australia will take to the piste on August 27 2008 for practice sessions followed by the main competition for places in the final. The event will culminate in a medal ceremony and celebration dinner.

The 10th World Firefighter Games will take place from 25 August to 3 September, and will be part of Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture celebrations.

Andrew Lockerbie, Operations Director for Chill Factore, said: “We were approached by Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service after they heard about our world-class facilities. We are delighted to play host to such a prestigious and international event which will showcase Chill Factore to visitors around the world.”

David Robinson, General Manager, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We had been looking for a suitable venue to host the ski events and were delighted to find Chill Factore‘s superb facilities on our doorstep. Liverpool will be European Capital of Culture in 2008 and the Service is delighted that our Games will contribute enormously to this massive celebration.

“It is also important that the Games provide benefits to the whole North West region. Our partners, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, have made a significant contribution to the Games so I am delighted that one of the most exciting events will be staged in their area.”

The £31m Chill Factore development – which will include the UK’s longest and widest real snow indoor ski slope (180m long and 100m wide) – opens to the public in November 2007.

The snow experience will include three separate but inter-connected real snow slopes that are now clearly discernable within the skeleton of the iconic building off J10 of the M60 at Trafford. The slopes will cater for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. A toboggan run and a separate children’s snow-play area featuring igloos, ice-castles, and slides, are also under construction.

Continuing the alpine theme, Chill Factore‘s themed ‘street’ scene will reflect the ambiance and après-ski buzz of an Alpine resort, offering shops, bars and restaurants with panoramic windows and balconies overlooking the slopes.

Taken today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture3872.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture3875.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Picture3876.jpg

Bloody hell! Didn't know it was under construction!
Ta JR.

^^ :nuts:

What?!!

To much time in the Pav methinks! :lol:

Saw this from Barton Bridge yesterday. The scale of it is absolutely stunning. Not too impressed with the initial facade though.

There's a new icerink in Altrincham now, so if they build a rink here too we will have gone from none to two ice-rinks in one year!

Clazy.


EDIT: A bit of investigation on their site shows they mean skateboarding, and that there will be an outdoor skate-park.

At least we still have ice-skating in Altrincham! Though it would have made a lot of sense to put it here; maybe they will add one in to the Trafford Centre at some point, wouldn't surprise me if they did...

the ice rink in Altrincham is merely a temporary one! it has only been designed to be in service for a maximum of 5 years, and then it will be torn down and used as a car park again.

it is hoped that with the completion of the supercasino a perminant ice-rink will be built at sportscity, thus replacing Altrincham.

It seems likely that it will eventually end up at sportscity, considering it is an area dedicated to sport, and due to the requirements of Manchester Pheonix who are continuously pressurising the council for a perminant residence.

the ice rink in Altrincham is merely a temporary one! it has only been designed to be in service for a maximum of 5 years, and then it will be torn down and used as a car park again.

it is hoped that with the completion of the supercasino a perminant ice-rink will be built at sportscity, thus replacing Altrincham.

It seems likely that it will eventually end up at sportscity, considering it is an area dedicated to sport, and due to the requirements of Manchester Pheonix who are continuously pressurising the council for a perminant residence.

I went in that new ice rink last week, I wasn't very impressed!

the ice rink in Altrincham is merely a temporary one! it has only been designed to be in service for a maximum of 5 years, and then it will be torn down and used as a car park again.

it is hoped that with the completion of the supercasino a perminant ice-rink will be built at sportscity, thus replacing Altrincham.

It seems likely that it will eventually end up at sportscity, considering it is an area dedicated to sport, and due to the requirements of Manchester Pheonix who are continuously pressurising the council for a perminant residence.

Wrong! The whole reason why the temporary one was built was to give Greater Manchester some sort of ice rink (albeit not a very good one) until the permanent one is finished in Altrincham. The much bigger, permanent ice rink and its surrounding facilities (extreme sports centre, apartments, hotel etc.) are underway and all will be finished by 2011. It will be situated pretty much next to the temporary one.

Even if Sportcity does get an ice rink, it will not 'replace' Altrincham's, but will compliment it. Manchester Pheonix have already been guarenteed a permanent home in Altrincham.

wait a minute, there's going to be a climbing centre/section as well?

I love this place more and more

I went in that new ice rink last week, I wasn't very impressed!

Yeah and it looks an abomination from the outside... I am staggered the planners let this through (temporary or not) its a fucking eyesore.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/Untitled-1copy-2.jpg

Yeah and it looks an abomination from the outside... I am staggered the planners let this through (temporary or not) its a fucking eyesore.

It you think it looks bad from the outside you want to go in it.

Looking up the slope. (massive) At the top out of view is the huge ledge.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v397/jrb041067/a.jpg

It you think it looks bad from the outside you want to go in it.

It's not finished yet Andy. Still has to be clad properly. BTW. Who gives a shit about the exterior. Look at OT. You still go to OT because your guaranteed fun and enjoyment. Ditto. :)

It's not finished yet Andy. Still has to be clad properly. BTW. Who gives a shit about the exterior. Look at OT. You still go to OT because your guaranteed fun and enjoyment. Ditto. :)

Here's another tip take your own skates, theirs are blue plastic and don't like feet. I only lasted half an hour.

It's not finished yet Andy. Still has to be clad properly. BTW. Who gives a shit about the exterior. Look at OT. You still go to OT because your guaranteed fun and enjoyment. Ditto. :)

i give a shit about the outside, even though they can nearly get away with looking like a factory (granted a funny shape) in this location

Yeah and it looks an abomination from the outside... I am staggered the planners let this through (temporary or not) its a fucking eyesore.

It isnt even finished yet for god sake!

eitherway, i think it looks impressive even now. just wait till its finished!

hopefully we can expect something like this...

http://www.condohotelcenter.com/images/dubai-ski.jpg

http://vedana.net/uploaded_images/ski-dubai-764388.jpg

http://www.dubaireporter.com/homepage-ski-dubai/ski-hall-total-ski-dubai.jpg

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/02/sports_stadiums/image/dubai.jpg

We aren't going on about the ski place were going on about the new Alti Ice rink!

[QUOTE=scproductions;12634997]It isnt even finished yet for god sake!

eitherway, i think it looks impressive even now. just wait till its finished!

hopefully we can expect something like this...

it's whats on the inside that counts :lol:

it's whats on the inside that counts :lol:

well said

It isnt even finished yet for god sake!

I wasn't talking about the Chill Factor place you muppet, I was talking about the ice rink in Altrincham.

:lol: How do you confuse a bunch of idiots?

IMO they both look shit! :horse:

Have you been mithering people again jrbtheeagle?

Also, we really should have a chat about getting a wide angle and/or some decent pano software. :)

IMO they both look shit! :horse:

Well there's a surprise! :ohno:

In fairness, I think the Alty one does look shit, but since it's only temporary I don't really care. The plans for the new one look great. But it must be doing well - when I drove past the entrance the other day the queues were massive. Nice of the builders to manage to create endless huge potholes in the car park next to it, so whenever I have to go in it, it knackers my suspension. :bash:

The big ski slope next to the TC looks pretty cool IMO. Should definately draw in the crowds (as if it wasn't busy enough around there already). With that going on, the TC expansion, Salford Reds' new stadium and hopefully metrolink connections, that area should be great in a few years time.

Well there's a surprise! :ohno:

Yeah i'm so fucking predictable arent i? I really should open my mind and really learn to appreciate big silver boxes because i'm obviously missing something. Perhaps you can give me some private tuition in Architecture JRR because you clearly know more about it than i do. I can come to you or i'll pay your bus fare if you want to come round here.



The big ski slope next to the TC looks pretty cool IMO. Should definately draw in the crowds (as if it wasn't busy enough around there already). With that going on, the TC expansion, Salford Reds' new stadium and hopefully metrolink connections, that area should be great in a few years time.

Yeah - its going to fucking ace!

http://images.worldofstock.com/slides/TRC2533.jpg

Edge City architecture.

Edge City architecture.

Steady on with your technical terms Professor Newall !!!!!!
Some of us are still learning about this sort of thing and find it hard to keep up.
The Big Bumper Book of Architecture i'm reading has only got up to 'D for Dumplington Precinct' and i'm just beginning to understand why there is a big ship in the cafe.

Does anyone know the date that this place is going to open?

late October/ early Novermber is what has been said on the centres website

The traffic on Longarmofthelaw-ford's pic is so bad, that the cars are driving on the wrong side of the road! :nuts:

late October/ early Novermber is what has been said on the centres website

6 months to find and buy a nice pair ski's!

The traffic on Longarmofthelaw-ford's pic is so bad, that the cars are driving on the wrong side of the road! :nuts:

you need spex mate, looks ok to me :)

http://www.virtual-planit.com/CHRIS/traff.jpg

Yeah i'm so fucking predictable arent i? I really should open my mind and really learn to appreciate big silver boxes because i'm obviously missing something. Perhaps you can give me some private tuition in Architecture JRR because you clearly know more about it than i do. I can come to you or i'll pay your bus fare if you want to come round here.

So only elite architectural snobs (which you obviously think you are) can have correct opinions right? What architecturally related job do you actually have by the way? I'm interested to know why your opinions are superior to everyone else's.

Given that you seem to have a taste for the buildings that look the most shite, then I'd hardly say your opinion is worth listening to anyway! Although, quite obviously not all of us can have intellects powerful enough to deduce that Gateshead car park is the pinnacle of British architecture. I'm surprised Gateshead doesn't have a booming tourism industry with such an icon of a world-class standard.

So only elite architectural snobs (which you obviously think you are) can have correct opinions right? What architecturally related job do you actually have by the way? I'm interested to know why your opinions are superior to everyone else's.

I dont have an architecture related job - i am a rocket scientist during the week and volunteer in an RSPCA dog shelter at the weekend.

Given that you seem to have a taste for the buildings that look the most shite, then I'd hardly say your opinion is worth listening to anyway! Although, quite obviously not all of us can have intellects powerful enough to deduce that Gateshead car park is the pinnacle of British architecture. I'm surprised Gateshead doesn't have a booming tourism industry with such an icon of a world-class standard.

Yeah but my dads bigger than your dad and he flies helicopters for the Queen. If you dont stop picking on me i'm telling Miss.

I dont have an architecture related job - i am a rocket scientist during the week and volunteer in an RSPCA dog shelter at the weekend.
Yeah but my dads bigger than your dad and he flies helicopters for the Queen. If you dont stop picking on me i'm telling Miss.

Oh the hilarity! But seriously: Gateshead car park versus 'big silver box'? (Perhaps another opportunity for a successful poll, no?) :lol:

I had no idea this was under construction either, lol.. Looks like an industrial unit is being pulled into the earth on some pictures, lol.. Just hope it proves a big hit!

Was at B&Q yeasterday and my mum went 'it looks like the Titanic sinking"! :lol:

Juice is a boost in UK

FORMER Millies Cookies boss Richard O'Sullivan has hailed the "phenomenal" early success of his new venture - Boost Juice, a natural fruit smoothy business.

Boost Juice, a massively popular concept in its home country of Australia, has been brought to the UK by Richard and colleague Mario Budwig.

The first outlet opened its doors at the Trafford Centre on April 14 and has already rocketed to the top of the sales chart of all 200-plus Boost Juice stores worldwide.

Amazed

Richard, whose wife, Dawn, is retail director and launched the flagship outlet, said: "To be honest, I have been amazed by the reaction from the Manchester public. We're delighted. It has exceeded my expectations. It is, at the end of the day, a fantastic product."

He said there would be another three stores opening in Greater Manchester by the end of the year, with the new Chill Factor indoor ski attraction, by the Trafford Centre, a possible location.

not sure if Boost Juice will be a good tennant for Chill Factor E when one there is one already so close to them but you never now

new photos of exterior and interior


http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/2299/stu1cz0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4452/stu2pv0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/3443/stu3xs1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/1864/stu4pp7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7725/stu5eu2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

from http://www.snowboardclub.co.uk/news-trafford.html

Ski coaching ‘dream team’ for Chill Factore

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/10/dreamteamhl2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Chill Factore, the North West’s first indoor real snow Alpine ski village, has announced the appointment of international ski instructor and coach Peter Hinde as Snow Operations Manager. He joins Operations Director Andrew Lockerbie, Chairman of the British Association of Ski Instructors (BASI) and one of Europe’s top instructors.

Their combined experience means they will be heading the best qualified instructing and coaching team the in the country, firmly establishing Chill Factore as the UK’s premier snowsports centre of excellence.

Peter joins Chill Factore from Ski Rossendale where he was Head of Snowsports. He is a senior tutor-coach for Snowsport England (the National Governing Body for English Snowsports) and has held a BASI international ski teacher diploma (Grade 1) since 2001 – the highest international instructing and coaching qualifications. He also holds a New Zealand international licence

At Chill Factore he will be responsible for everything “cold-side” – all snowsports instruction and coaching, technical facilities and snow conditions, along with a staff of 250.

Peter, who is 45 and lives in Chorley, strapped on skis for the first time at the age of 23 when a friend talked him into a ski-ing holiday in France. Five years later, he was a qualified instructor in Austria. Since then he has worked in France, Austria and New Zealand before returning to Rossendale.

He said: ”The facilities are going to be so good here that we’ll have something to offer absolutely everyone, from the youngest beginners right up to the Olympic team.

“That’s why my job is so exciting – no other ski school in the UK will have a better qualified coaching team or finer slope facilities.

“We’ll also be focusing on freestyle and free riding – these are the big trends of the future and we are going to be able to help people really develop their skills before they head for the mountains.

“But at the same time, I love the fact that we are going to be an Alpine village and that, just like the real thing, we’ll also be attracting non-skiers to come and soak up the atmosphere. I’m really looking forward to seeing people coming in to stroll round the shops, having a hot chocolate or a drink overlooking the slope and watching all the action. It’s going to be a fantastic experience, and I can’t wait to feel the snow under my skis! ”

Andrew Lockerbie, Operations Director, described Peter Hinde as “one of the best in the business, we’re delighted he has joined us.”

He went on: “Peter has taught all over the world, and will bring all that experience first to the training of our own staff and then to the whole coaching programme.

“It’s crucially important for us that everyone has confidence in the standards of our coaching – from parents of small children taking their first steps on a slope to our leading international skiers and boarders. Peter’s commitment and professionalism is total, and we know that our reputation for quality coaching and slope management is going to be in very safe hands.”

Chill Factore is located at Junction 10 of the M60, just four miles from Manchester city centre and next to the famous Trafford Centre. Due to open at the beginning of November, it will offer the country’s finest year-round snow-based leisure - including the longest and widest real snow indoor ski slope - complemented by an unrivalled mix of restaurants, bars and shops.

The UK’s leading wintersports and outdoor specialist retailer, Snow+Rock, has already signed to be the anchor store, while global mountain sports giant Salomon will supply all ski and snowboard rental equipment and host events and promotions. Chill Factore will also be the venue of a Salomon Test Centre where customers can try out the latest technology and equipment before it reaches the shops.

is good to see everything coming into place for what will surely be a great hit for the north west cant wait for it to open

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/robinsonworld/Manchester/P1000420.jpg

See where that truck is? Well, that's where the cladding gone onto it....

Bugger.

High hopes at Trafford's 'Alp'

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/7697/c71article1006734imagelfp3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

GREATER Manchester's giant 'real' ski slope, complete with an Alpine Village, is springing up alongside the Trafford Centre.

Chill Factore, a 45-metre high complex at the side of the M60, is due to open in November - and the £31m building is quickly taking shape.

The aim is to bring together ski and apres-ski under one roof, with the longest and widest real snow indoor slope in the country.

Skiers and snowboarders will be able to make the most of perfect snow conditions all year round at the vast indoor centre.

Extreme

It will also cater for extreme sports, including rock climbing and tobogganing.

Off piste, there will be bars and restaurants overlooking the slopes and an Alpine street offering what organisers have called `retail variety and ambience straight from the Alps'.

Project chairman Peter Moore said: "Work is progressing well and come November, the north west will have one of the country's most outstanding leisure destinations. It will, without doubt, become a dramatic and iconic presence on the skyline."

The snow inside Chill Factore will be made from compressed air and water, blasted into a chilled atmosphere to form snowflakes. The snowguns will operate every night to produce a fresh covering of 5mm.

The 'cold' area will include three interconnected snow slopes catering for different abilities and a 'warm' zone will feature Alpine-themed bars and restaurants with windows and balconies overlooking the slopes.


Chill Facter e construction progress

Work is progressing well on site. The steelwork is almost complete and the builders are currently cladding the exterior walls. Inside, the slopes are finished and the restaurants and retail areas can be clearly seen.

David Sterland, Managing Director of Chill Factore said: “Despite the high winds earlier in the year, I’m pleased to be able to confirm that the construction programme has not been affected and we are still on schedule to open in November. Although we are still six months away from opening, the building is already a major feature on the Manchester skyline.”

Is good to hear more news on the features and other stuff defiantly going to be a good addition to Manchester

With 5 months left to opening the new Chill Factor E centre has only 5 unit left unlet out of the possible 16 units

Letting Plan:- http://www.chillfactore.com/lettings/contact/planPDF.pdf

The Stores confirmed to open in the 'The Street' in the new centre are as follows:-

Stores

Snow & Rock 10,000 sq ft Flaghsip there first store in a snow centre
Subvert http://www.subvertboardstore.com/
Evans Cycles http://www.evanscycles.com/
Dare2b http://www.daretobe.co.uk/
Adrenaline Junkie
Billabong http://www.billabong.com/en/index.asp?regid=EU

Restaurants

Boost Juice Barshttp://www.boostjuicebars.co.uk/ they said they were thinking about opening there and looks like they will
Gloria Jeans Coffee http://www.gloriajeanscoffees.co.uk/index.html only have 1 store open in the uk so far and that is in East Midlands so it looks like this will be there first store in the North West
Frederick's Ice Cream http://www.fredericksicecream.co.uk/
One unit is let but with no names to it yet it is the store next to Billabong this will be a Restaurant or Cafe as it is A3
Another is under offer the one near main entrance this will be a Restaurant or Cafe as it is A3

Available stores

Unit 3 next to Adrenaline Junkie will be a normal clothing store as it is A1
Unit 7 next to Evans Cycles will be a Restaurant or Cafe as it is A3
Unit 9B inbetween Boost and Frankie's will be a fashion store as it is A1
Unit 13 next to Subvert will be a Restaurant or Cafe as it is A3
Unit 15 will be a Restaurant or Cafe as it is A3 not sure over what D2 is


Looks like it is quite a good lineup of names a few high street names and then a few independant store and there are still the 5 store left to be let

Boost bar for city centre

THE former boss of Millie's Cookies today unveiled expansion plans for his latest venture, building a chain of juice and smoothies bars across Britain.

Richard O'Sullivan opened his first Boost Juice outlet at the Trafford Centre in April after bringing the concept over from Australia, where it was established.

Today Mr O'Sullivan announced plans to open up to eight more by the end of the year, starting with a bar in Manchester's Piccadilly Station in August and followed by openings in Nottingham and the new Chill Factor indoor ski attraction near the Trafford Centre in November.

He is also in talks to secure sites in London. Mr O'Sullivan was introduced to Boost Juice when his daughter spent a gap year in Australia.


http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/business/s/1009/1009390_boost_bar_for_city_centre.html


Construction milestone at Chill Factor e

Construction milestone marked by ceremony to ward off evil spirits.

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/9351/toppingsn3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Chairman Peter Moore and The Mayor of Trafford mark the end of the ceremony with a traditional 'noggin of ale'.

A construction milestone at the North West’s first indoor real snow Alpine ski village has been commemorated by an ancient traditional ceremony to ‘ward off evil spirits’ and bring success to the development.

The ‘topping out’ ceremony - held to mark the completion of the highest point of a new building – was hosted at Chill Factore by building contractor Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd and Chill Factore. As is customary, an evergreen bough was placed at the top of the building to keep away evil entities and bring luck and success to the new leisure destination.

The bough was accompanied to the top of Manchester’s newest iconic building, located just off junction 10 of the M60 close to the Trafford Centre, by a piper in full regalia.

Symbolic ‘final bolts’ were also placed at the top and bottom of the ski tow by guests of honour the Mayor of Trafford, Councillor Bernard Sharp, and Mr David Chugg of Disability Snowsport UK.

The ceremony was attended by more than 50 specially invited guests including local councillors, stakeholders, and big name tenants, who have already signed leases to operate from the all-year-round attraction.

Mr Cullum McAlpine, Director of Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd, said: “Topping out is a traditional custom held when the highest point of the build has been achieved. It is a marvellous opportunity to celebrate the continuing development of Chill Factore, which will be a fantastic social and sporting addition to the current Manchester offering.”

Chairman of Chill Factore, Mr Peter Moore, said: “The building has been creating a massive buzz as it goes up alongside the M60 and we are delighted to celebrate the reaching this important milestone. With just five months to go before Chill Factore opens to the public – bringing with it state-of-the-art leisure and fantastic lifestyle facilities - the countdown is truly beginning.”

The £31m development – which will feature the Europe’s longest and widest real snow indoor ski slope – is set to open in November.

It will include three separate but inter-connected real snow slopes catering for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. There will also be a toboggan run and a separate children’s snow-play zone featuring igloos, ice-castles and slides.

The themed ‘Alpine street’ scene will offer shops, bars and restaurants with panoramic windows and balconies overlooking the slopes.

http://www.snowboardclub.co.uk/news-trafford.html


Paralympians choose Chill Factore as training venue

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/2599/boltuo6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The British Disabled Ski Team (BDST) has selected Chill Factore as the UK venue for its group training ahead of the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics.

The team has confirmed it will use the North West’s real snow indoor Alpine village for group training sessions when the venue opens in November.

And confirming Chill Factore‘s place at the centre of the rapidly growing sports sector, the national ski and snowboard charity Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK) has announced that is it to operate its northern HQ from the £31m venue.

Dominik Jonas, the charity’s Schools and Youth Development Officer, will be permanently based at Chill Factore where he will provide special training for instructors and volunteers and also arrange promotional work with schools and rehabilitation centres around the region.

DSUK also hopes to recruit locally for a northern co-ordinator who will be based at the Trafford site.

Dominik, originally from Poland, has worked for DSUK for four years. He has previously worked at the charity’s ski school in the Cairngorms, Scotland, and hosted activity weeks around Europe. His post is funded by Children in Need.

Fiona Young, Chief Executive of Disability Snowsport UK, said: “The purpose of our charity is to increase the opportunities, fitness, mobility, freedom, social interaction, independence and skill of young people with disabilities and to identify and nurture the abilities of young potential athletes.

“This move to Chill Factore is a very exciting development for Disability Snowsports UK – and also for young disabled people across the north who will now have local access to the best snowsport training and lessons in a real snow environment.”

Andrew Lockerbie, Operations Director, of Chill Factore, said: “We are delighted that DSUK have chosen Chill Factore as the location for their north HQ and that the British disabled ski team will be using our venue for their group training events.

“Chill Factore is designed to cater for people of all ages and of all abilities, from beginner to Olympic standard, and the fact that two prestigious national bodies have selected our venue from which to operate is testament to the quality of our excellent facilities.”

http://www.snowboardclub.co.uk/news-trafford.html


Charge worries for ski slope

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/784/skiqx4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Congestion worries - the indoor ski slope

A CLOUD hung over Europe's biggest indoor ski slope on its proudest day so far...Greater Manchester's approaching congestion charge.

For it emerged that the centre which is due to open next to the Trafford Centre in November may have been built elsewhere if the developers had known about the road pricing plans.

The Chill Factor which has drawn admiring glances from drivers on the nearby M60 as it reached its full height over the last few months, will employ 500 people and is expected to attract 2.5million visitors a year to its real snow slopes.

Behind the glittering traditional "topping out" ceremony was fear that the charge would put off potential customers at the £31million centre.

After celebrating with bosses of contractors Sir Robert McAlpine - builders of the Eden Project in Cornwall and Arsenal's Emirate Stadium - Chill Factor chairman Peter Moore revealed that he first heard of the congestion charge plans when he read about them in the MEN six weeks ago.

He said: "Any reasonable person recognises that there has to be some management of the traffic problem - and I don't yet know the fine details of the scheme.

"It came as a bit of a bolt out of the blue to learn that we are just a few yards from the edge of cordon.

Demand

"We will have people on the slopes before 9.30am and our busiest time will be between 4.30pm and 6.30pm so the congestion charge is going to affect our business. There is bound to be some demand reduction.

"It would have given us great food for thought when we were deciding where to build it if we had known that a congestion charge was going to be imposed."

He added: "It is important that we know the full details as soon as possible."

The British Disabled Ski Team has chosen the centre as its training base for the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1009/1009383_charge_worries_for_ski_slope.html

^^ Hmmmm, I foresee a shit-load of developments outside the M60 from now on....:|

It's time for Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale etc to raise their fucking game....

tbh, as soon as people understand the realities of the charging I would imagine that we'll see just as much development inside the M60.

It'll cost about £60 for an hour for a family of 4 to use the slope for 1hr, how many of them are going to be arriving before 9:30am on a weekday, or to be honest put off by £1 extra charge when leaving - would they not go if they had to pay £2 to park?

Also, given that people within the M60 will not pay, and they will have an improved public transport access (tram line very close by) it will soon become much more accessible to the population.

I actually think we will end up with massive growth in regions around good transport links, i.e. tram lines, whether they are inside or outside the M60.

Remember, over 1m of the conurbation lives within the M60, and they will pay nothing to get to places like this.

^^ Hmmmm, I foresee a shit-load of developments outside the M60 from now on....:|

It's time for Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale etc to raise their fucking game....

I think we're about to see a resurgence of the northern boroughs SMP (coz some parts couldn't go any further down, let's face it)........Kingsway Business Park etc. It's notable that the big increases in rail patronage and overcrowding in the last ten years have generally been on lines through Wigan and Bolton, if that tells us anything.

There is huge pent up potential in the northern boroughs, hopefully their timne is about to come.

"....it emerged that the centre which is due to open next to the Trafford Centre in November may have been built elsewhere"

What a shame that would have been!

"The Chill Factor which has drawn admiring glances from drivers "

If in 'admiring' you mean "what the fuck is that!"

I have hated this idea from the start and now its topped out i hate it even more.
Its a fucking blot on the landscape and its rare you hear me saying something like that.
I fucking hate it.

I tend to agree Longford - not only an eyesore, but a total environmental disaster.

A fucking huge fridge freezer being kept below 0 degrees the size of that takes a huge amount of energy.

[QUOTE=Metrolink;13810163]I tend to agree Longford - not only an eyesore, but a total environmental disaster.
/QUOTE]

You forgot to add "...only for the benefit of smarmy posh twats from Cheshire"

Its wrong on so many levels.

You forgot to add "...only for the benefit of smarmy posh twats from Cheshire"


Ya, but if I can learn how to ski without the inconvenience of going to Klosters, it's got to be a good thing.:yes:

Jesus Christ it's like the Guardian readers' message board on here today.

Any other reasons why I should say penance before considering taking my kids to this thing?

So long as you get the tram there Chorlton you will go to heaven. :)

(You'll have a bit of a wait mind).

Oh as a long suffering user of the Metrolink I'm used to a bit of a wait...but that's for another thread.

More seriously I can see that this thing might be viewed as a bit of an eyesore (although I prefer the phrase 'talking point'), but at least it's in good company between the sewage works and the Trafford Centre!

I think its alright, suitable for purpose, and fits within it's surroundings rather well... what's all the fuss about? Since when was Trafford Park an architectural heritage site?

"....it emerged that the centre which is due to open next to the Trafford Centre in November may have been built elsewhere"

What a shame that would have been!

"The Chill Factor which has drawn admiring glances from drivers "

If in 'admiring' you mean "what the fuck is that!"

I have hated this idea from the start and now its topped out i hate it even more.
Its a fucking blot on the landscape and its rare you hear me saying something like that.
I fucking hate it.

Thought you would like it, the building's form follows it's function. It looks like an indoor ski slope.

I think its alright, suitable for purpose, and fits within it's surroundings rather well... what's all the fuss about? Since when was Trafford Park an architectural heritage site?

Its not but thats no excuse to stick up fucking ugly buildings that serve no real purpose.

Thought you would like it, the building's form follows it's function. It looks like an indoor ski slope.

The 'form follows function' argument only applies when the building is of some use. As it is this is just a big fridge full of middle englanders.

Longy's a commie pinko queer who can't ski...:cool:

People who we know who ski

http://www.uncoveror.com/prince1.jpg
http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/materials/images/content/history/pages/1988gettyedwards_eddie.jpg
http://images.popsugar.com/uploads10/posh%202.15.jpg
http://worldroots.com/brigitte/gifs3/fergie77.jpg

Common denominator? They are all cunts.

People who we know probably dont ski

http://www.cathca.co.za/images/nelson_mandela_2.jpg
http://www.mind-surf.net/bitacoras/imagenes/jesus2.jpg
http://caseymcgonagle.com/images/heros/Ghandi-728623.jpg
http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Pele-Photograph-C10104258.jpeg

Common denominator? They are not cunts