As it's summer here, I start to miss skiing and snow, so decided to pay a visit to Xscape, Milton Keynes to give my new Monster77's a little try out. It's around a 50 mile drive to the indoor slope from our UK house, so I can get there fairly easily. The slope is part of a large leisure complex, so my first stop was to the branch of Ellis Brigham to get my bindings checked and adjusted to my boots. To my suprise, the set up I had done (my 1st) was correct. The staff at EB's are always friendly and helpful, it's a pleasure calling in there.I would have liked to include some general photos of the slope and facilities, but Xscape do not allow photography by the public. When I enquired as to the reasons for this, I received several different answers, however I did see a large notice on the slope advising customers to call at the slope rental desk to view photos that are taken by their machine. They also employ a photographer to stand on the slope and take photos, which are also for sale. I found it disconcerting to have flash guns going off repeatedly on every descent, and I certainly did not give my permission for the company to take my photo.
The complex has been open for a few years now, and is looking in need of refurbishment, with broken lockers, toilet basin's taped over as out of order, and dingy lighting in the public areas.
In the locker area, I counted 9 vending machines, all selling much the same snack food and fizzy drinks. The price I paid for entry and an hour's skiing was £16. This should give access to 2 public slopes and 1 teaching slope.
Today, the teaching slope had 1 student and teacher, and all public users were obliged to use one of the main slopes, whilst the other was being kept for "something". I did enquire, after riding the poma to the top, and was told that the slope was closed due to "lots of children coming soon", and I was turned off it. No children materialised, and the poma lift was turned off. The slope remained empty.
There are many horror tales about on the web regarding the ice at Xscape, today, it was visible under the surface, but the conditions were quite grippy, and perfectly acceptable, in an artificial snow sort of way. The poma lift track needed attention with torn matting visible, along with what appear to be wooden battens holding the matting in place. The track was deeply rutted.
I was quite amazed to see several workmen digging a large hole in part of one of the slopes, using what sounded like a roadworks drill. If you like your skiing to the sound of jack hammers' this is the place to be. I enquired about the works, and was advised that the cooling system was being moved to another part of the slope. This would mean that the central slope would be narrower, and the teaching slope was being widened.
I cut short my hour, as the poma lift began breaking down, and this led to slope congestion and queues. Also a diesel powered "cherry picker" was being run on the closed slope, and the fumes were pretty unpleasant.
The best bit of the day, was getting a feel for my new skis. They are very stable, and carve really easily. Longer and heavier than my Stoeckli's, it's not noticeable when moving, they were a bargain, and will make a great 2nd ski. I'm really looking forward to skiing them in resort.
