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Why are there no dryslope areas in the North America.

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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowflex
If you've ever heard of it, snowflex dryslope is this crazy toothbrushy white astroturfy shit that they have installed at places in France, Scotland and England. They are mad popular, and about the next best thing to actual snow. they have little sprinklers in it that 'lubricate' the surface with water or whatever so it wouldnt damage your bases or anything. And if you fall, it doesnt hurt any worse than packed powder, because they build it on top of foam and stuff.

What I ask is, why arent there any of these dryslope parks in the states? I have never really heard of any even in north america for that matter...

I live in California, there is a skatepark in nearly every other suburban city.

Dont you think that it would be quite indeed popular and prospective for someone to come around and build a dryslope ski area down next to the beach or something?

How awesome would that be...

So its your day off work, and you really want to go ski some pipe, but its July, and you live in Chicago.. or Los Angeles, or Seattle or wherever...

There is no snow, so you grab your skis/board/whatever and go hit some stuff at the dryslope park for an hour or something.



Yeah, iono about you, but I would find a snowflex-dryslope park much cooler than even a skatepark...
May 9 2007 5:26AM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913

There are a dozen threads spanning over the last 4 years on SnowFlex. All of the threads seem to lead to one thing. No one yet has stepped up and invested millions here in the states. 

May 9 2007 6:49AM
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JibEarth
Posts: 753 - Karma: 26
its becsue we have snow ehre, the snowflex facilitys ar euaslly used in places where they get little to no snow all year. now there may be a couple that are in cold climates but the majority are in no snow areas
May 9 2007 7:36AM
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manwiththemetalleg
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 91
1. Expensive
2. You have snow at least some of the year, we don't
3. You would probably be disappointed with the result
May 9 2007 7:51AM
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michael_bc
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 722
grab a skateboard and skate that skatepark instead. it will feel more like skiing than being on the dry slope. dry slopes suck balls.

indoor slopes are where it's at, but they're so fucking expensive.
May 9 2007 8:17AM
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CamBrowne
Posts: 1830 - Karma: 99
if you wanna ride pipe then get a skateboard and shred a bowl
so much fun man
May 9 2007 8:47AM
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meggers
Posts: 2094 - Karma: 70
i thought they were making one in jersey...like an all sports indoor place with skiing/snowboarindg swiiming baseball...everything....maybe not....but i swear i read it on here somewhere
May 9 2007 9:04AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
iono.. all i'm saying is if its anywhere close to skiing in a sense where I can pull out my skis on a 105 degree July afternoon, I'm totally down... especially with how much more I like skiing than skateboarding...

Still, with all this global warming talk, it would be pretty smart in my mind to perhaps start improving the stuff.. if possible.
May 9 2007 9:24AM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913
you did..  It is currently under construction just outside NYC.

"Mills Meadowlands Xanadu Opening Date: Due to open 2009 Location: New Jersey, USA

Acer Snowmec awarded the design of the Cooling and Snowmaking for Mills Meadowlands Xanadu, New Jersey, United States of America. This will be the first Indoor Real Snow Centre in North America. The slope is almost identical to Madrid Xanadu and is due to open in 2009.


May 9 2007 9:31AM
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mohawkskier
Posts: 743 - Karma: 98
the reason why i doubt it will catch on is that skiing has a long enough skiing in the states that people wont go to the indoor place as often as in scotland ect
May 9 2007 9:56AM
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meggers
Posts: 2094 - Karma: 70
ok good so im not crazy!
May 9 2007 10:01AM
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fouldsys
Posts: 7404 - Karma: 39
because there is snow in most of north america
May 9 2007 10:21AM
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marmite
Posts: 201 - Karma: 14
themeparks are such a big thing here, i imagine an indoor slope would go down a treat in dry and or fake- and novelty-loving places like NV, TX, CA...
May 9 2007 11:12AM
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japie99
Posts: 2128 - Karma: 19
we got some indoor slopes here with real snow. But they are really commercial and stuff so almost no park.
May 9 2007 11:31AM
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Shorton
Posts: 2889 - Karma: 13
Dryslopes are good for parctice, but to be honest they suck, nothing like real snow, honest
May 9 2007 11:41AM
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MrScruff
Posts: 575 - Karma: 10
As someone said, they're very expensive. The larger slopes over here in the UK charge quite a bit as they wouldn't be able to stay open otherwise and still they are faced with closure a lot of the time.
May 9 2007 11:45AM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913
Click for larger image


DALLAS & FORT WORTH, Texas -- Bearfire Resorts, LLC is elated to announce the most recent developments in its audacious plan to deliver world-class skiing to Texas year-round.

New location, new name, bold new concept

After careful consideration, the company has decided to shift its plans for a winter-themed entertainment destination from Dallas to Fort Worth, Texas. Bearfire Resorts, LLC executives feel they have found an ideal location in a large piece of property situated midway between the Dallas and Fort Worth airports.

Along with the move comes an important change in the entertainment concept. Formerly envisioned as a theme park using the working name “Coolzone Winterplex,” the new project will be known as the “Bearfire Resort” and will feature ski slopes spread over a total ski-able area of an unbelievable 650,000 square feet. Additionally, Bearfire Resort will include a 600-room hotel, a convention center, and a world-class spa at the base of the ski mountain.

Bearfire’s year-round winter theme will be made possible due to a virtual ski surface technology called Snowflex created by Brian Thomas of Briton Engineering in the U.K. and currently used successfully at more than 30 locations in Europe. When complete, Bearfire Resort will be six times larger than any existing Snowflex facility in the world.

“We are ecstatic to be leading the charge to provide such an unprecedented entertainment experience in such a seemingly improbable place,” said Charlie Aaron, president of Bearfire Resorts, LLC. “It gives the team a thrill to think that in just a few years, we will have made possible the scenario in which people book their year-round ski vacations to Texas.”


What a ski resort in Texas will look like

Bearfire Resort will bring the charm and sport of an alpine skiing village to the heart of Texas. The resort’s main attraction will be its outdoor ski and snowboard mountain, complete with ski runs, chair lifts, competition half-pipes, toboggans, snow tubing, and ski caves. Fun for families will include ice rinks, rides, a snowy winter wonder-park for children, an outdoor concert venue, and opportunities for rock climbing. To appeal to the less athletically inclined--or the merely pleasantly exhausted--Bearfire also will offer several retail and fine dining experiences.

When complete, this man-made mountain range will rank among the world’s largest buildings, so of course it is no surprise that this project is unfolding in Texas, the land where everything is bigger and better. The addition of the world class hotel and spa, larger ski slopes, a retail village and other new amenities to the master plan will no doubt enhance the overall guest experience and make Bearfire Resort a must-visit destination for families, vacationers and corporate events.

May 9 2007 11:48AM
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Armanzoid
Posts: 2453 - Karma: 26
They have cornices and couloirs, thats insane. Will that place near the meadowlands have a park or something? I'd love to be able to ski during the summer while living in NYC.
May 9 2007 12:00PM
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kbrando
Posts: 1208 - Karma: 904
its expensive and if u wanna ski in the summer just make a set up in ur back yard and ski rails all summer
May 9 2007 12:04PM
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SnowMedic
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 25
well Heavenly claims "world class sking and it sucks, they are in Tahoe. If Texas says that than it really is going to suck.
Cool idea anyway.
May 9 2007 12:15PM
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skiminnesota
Posts: 9093 - Karma: 429
awesome I live like 30min from the mall that would be so cool
May 9 2007 12:33PM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913
Take a moment (pun intended) to read..  They talk about a world class hotel, not skiing,  I don't understand the cynisism.  I guess if I lived in tahoe, I would look down my nose too..  :o)
May 9 2007 12:33PM
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=FLO=
Posts: 1969 - Karma: 39
There was plans to build one in Denver, not sure if it fell through, i think it is a sweet idea
May 9 2007 12:55PM
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Osek206
Posts: 492 - Karma: 6
I was following the one in Denver for awhile. Some college kids came up with the business plan for school and decided to go with it. That was like 2-3 years ago, It must have fell through.

I'm seriously considering this venture. Mt,Hood and Whistler are the only options for the hardcore skiier in the summer. For thoes who can't afford that trip due to money having a local almost "skatepark" type of outdoor slope with rails and a pipe would be dope. Just look at all the summertime setups people have.
May 9 2007 1:16PM
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illianceblock
Posts: 154 - Karma: 10
i dont think you understand how shit dryslope is. i prefer a skatepark any day of the week, and the US has MUCH better skateparks than europe, you dont even know.
May 9 2007 1:31PM
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parkchilla
Posts: 445 - Karma: 12
build one
May 9 2007 1:33PM
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*PiStOl_PeTe*
Posts: 133 - Karma: 9
OMFG !!! U have everything and now you want even more, first of all you have snow! we don't! secondly u have tonnes of skateparks! we dont! and lastly u wudnt want to ride dryslopes once u compare it with snow, its just literally crap.

point made :)
May 9 2007 2:18PM
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SnowMedic
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 25
Haha, i got the pun before i read (pun intended)  Sorry i miss read what I read in the artical.  There are likley resorts on the eastcoast that have better skiing than heavenly. But thats just heavenly and well flatstar.
I dont necessarily look down my nose apon the rest of the country becuase well every where else this year had more snow than us.
May 9 2007 3:03PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
Cause we're not pussys.
May 9 2007 3:05PM
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SnowMedic
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 25
If that was a reply to me come ski in tahoe! not at heavenly.
May 9 2007 3:07PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
Not a reply to you :), just the question in general.
May 9 2007 3:40PM
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SnowMedic
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 25
got ya, dry slopes are wak, Boreal has talked about it but it will likley never happen.
May 9 2007 3:54PM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913
We have a mountain here in Southeastern PA  that is seriously considering it.  our seasons are very short and park is becoming huge.  this year they barely got 60 days, but it was 60 days of a successful park scene. With that short of a season it leaves everybody high and dry, just as they are warming up.

With the advent of neveplast and urban park kits and Snowgel, I am convinced that a dryslope park will be successful in our area due the proximity of Philly and NYC.  We already are getting organized backyard parks,  http://www.twelve60.com/   a big one will happen in our area, just not soon enough for us..

Once the first successful dryslope park happens, other will follow suit and venture capital for this type of business will likely come more readily available.

May 9 2007 4:28PM
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Microcosm
Posts: 4765 - Karma: 153
I just hope this doesn't take away from out of park skiing. Park is great, but there's so much more.
May 9 2007 4:36PM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913
nothing can replace the real thing. its just a Microcosm
May 9 2007 4:43PM
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hoodratz47
Posts: 12020 - Karma: 9,475
good idea... keep the texans down in texas
May 9 2007 4:46PM
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CTD
Posts: 6300 - Karma: 348
im sorry, but all this shit is stupid. skiings about snow. trying to replicate skiing in flat hot areas is pointless! thats like trying to figure out a way to use little marbles to create a big rolling wave that uses snow and ice and bla bla bla so you can surf in nebraska, its just stupid. just cause you can slide around in kinda the same manner, its not even close to the same. why not just chose an activity that works with the local terrain?
May 9 2007 8:32PM
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papasteeze
Posts: 12055 - Karma: 913
like dryslope terrain parks?
May 9 2007 9:42PM
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ginty
Posts: 1073 - Karma: 163
dry slopes would be so dope for the summer
but in the winter nothing beats the fresh pow
May 9 2007 9:57PM
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Alkyy
Posts: 2839 - Karma: 149
$$$$$
May 9 2007 9:57PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
you obviously dont understand or comprehend what this could mean for skiing...

sure, its not THE REAL THING... its like man trying to duplicate the work of nature... that will never be able to entirely happen..

But, would you rather just wait for months on end during the warm months, needing to do other non-skiing things, or would you want something that sorta kinda gets you near to the real thing so you can practice and be in form in NOVEMBER?

I've seen some of those guys who shred dryslope in england, and they do pretty well on the real stuff during the winter from what i've seen.. so imagine how much better you could be if there were a dryslope place even 20 mins from your house...

I dont know about where you live, but where I live, there are hills all over the place that are bigger than anything the midwest has to offer. its just these hills are stuck in an area of California where there is no snow, and never will be enough to ski on.

Accross the street from my old high school there is a HUGE hill. It has to be something like 1600 feet high... thats bigger than just about anything in the Midwest. Unfortunately, it does not snow there because of the warm California climate. Now, if the city, who owns that land was able to put a freaking snowflex ski area on it, then first off, I wouldnt have to drive more than 3 minutes to find something thats at least close to skiing, rather than drive 3 hours, or wait 3 months to have the real thing. And secondly, i can get in tune for when I can actually shred the real thing.

Think dude... if you can kick ass on snowflex, which is "stupid" and "pointless" and enables you to "slide around in kinda the same manner" then imagine what you can do on real snow which is brilliant and enables you to have something to live for during the cold winter...

I rest my frigging case.

Snowflex - at least theres SOME hope after global warming turns Earth into the planet Venus...
May 10 2007 6:54AM
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eastAR5
Posts: 15084 - Karma: 730
why is that stupid? do you even ski





also why do people hate on tahoe? ive never been there but it looks fucking dope. long, flat sunny parks? sounds perfect
May 10 2007 2:09PM
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CTD
Posts: 6300 - Karma: 348
nope. im still stickin with my guns. i look forward to the summer just as much as i look forward to winter, theres just as much if not more to do. biking, skateboarding, watersports. i think your better off to vary what you do, if you stick strictly to 1 activity all year, its easier to get burnt out. besides, its easy to take influence from those other sports and apply them to skiing, and vice versa. i just find it pointless to try spend so much effort to halfway duplicate something while you could be out there enjoying other sports 100%
May 10 2007 2:54PM
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solidstate85
Posts: 198 - Karma: 16
why is everything over the top in texas/
May 10 2007 3:02PM
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eastAR5
Posts: 15084 - Karma: 730
yeah but i happen to find skiing way more fun then something like skateboarding

i look forward to skiing in the summer way more than winter... soft snow, 65 degrees so much better

a dry slope would be way dope on the east coast cause our snow doesnt last too long
May 10 2007 5:15PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,944
Look, I'm all game with skateboarding and watersports too, but in my honest opinion I must ask, who on this earth could do without another option for fun in the sun? You cant argue it. You would be obstanant and silly to say that you wouldnt want at least something similar to your favorite sport (or at least I assume skiing is your favorite sport, being its everyone else's on this site) so you could still run your technique and progress without having to spend oodles of money yourself and go to one of the ski camps or Whistler or Mt. Hood or whatever..

I personally dont care about what you're interests are, because youre just one fish in a huge sea of people that would love to have a snowflex park in their own backyard so to speak, that decides to be different and say he hates skiing unless its on real white stuff... or at least manmade white stuff?
May 10 2007 8:22PM
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General_Shredgnar
Posts: 3024 - Karma: 34
Yeah I read about that, and i think I heard about a dryslope or something going up in Texas.
May 10 2007 8:28PM
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