Grips Bar

Grips Bar

Aspen, Grindelwald, St. Moritz, Davos.... Hemel Hempstead! What do all of the above names have in common? Well, you can ski all year round in them all.... except the first four! Okay, so Hemel is never going to have the same magical association as St Moritz but it has raised itself into the rarefied atmosphere of being a serious sky resort thanks to a new development called The Snow Centre.

As you leave the A41 for Hemel Hempstead the town stretches out along the Gade Valley below. Hugging the hillside opposite is a very long silver building which gleams in the sunlight and rather dominates the skyline. It's very modern looking but not what Prince Charles would describe as 'a monstrous carbuncle'.

In fact The Snow Centre has done its best to create an environmentally friendly building where snow lovers can play all year round. The roof itself is a living plant surface which retains water and changes colour as the seasons change and new plants flourish and die according to their life-cycle.

The statistics are impressive: a 160 metre long slope; a 100 metre nursery run; 30 metres wide - think one and a half football parks running down a hillside and you'll get some idea of the scale of the enterprise. And then there's the snow.... it's the real freeze-your-bum-off fresh snow generated by the latest snow canons each night and guaranteed to give you a taste of the Alpine whether you're a beginner getting to grips with the basics or an experienced skier/snowboarder brushing up on your skills.

The proud boast from The Snow Centre is that this is, 'the best snow this side of the Alps'... and they might just be right. The aim of The Snow Centre was to create the best indoor slope in the UK and once you step through the front door, where you are met by a very friendly and efficient lady called Gail, we're sure that you'll give them a massive thumbs up. The whole complex is bright and airy with a really fresh feel to it. The designers have succeeded in bringing the outdoors inside helped by a few glimpses of fresh air and trees through the windows of the upstairs bar.

However, not only will you find ideal snow conditions day in and day out, but after a hard day on the slopes you can enjoy the traditional après snow at The EDGE, the cafe bar with altitude (no that's not a misprint!).

The EDGE offers a great range of refreshments and snacks from Costa Coffee to breakfast pastries, a quick bite or a main meal and of course Glühwein and a full bar. The EDGE can also provide a range of hot and cold buffets catered to suit you. There is a great ambience in sitting overlooking the slopes in such comfortable surroundings and we're sure that once local businesses discover their facilities The Edge will become the place to woo your clients.

On the day I visited the place was really buzzing with school parties arriving and kids training clubs on the nursery slopes whilst mums and dads watched them proudly from the café viewing windows.

And if you need some retail therapy then Snow Rock, the number one snow sports retailer, will be offering the best winter clothing, equipment and accessories to get you kitted out for the slopes. They also stock an impressive range of bikes and cycling related equipment and clothing.
The Snow Centre is destined to be a major tourist attraction in the Hemel area for years to come and David Surrey, the visionary behind this wonderful facility, can justifiably be proud of his baby (which cost a jaw dropping £23 million to build).

Whether you're a beginner or experienced, disabled or able bodied, young or old, there's something here for everyone.... and that's snow joking.

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