School Travel Organiser discovers there’s more to learn at Chill Factore than just snow sports.
Chill Factore is the UK’s longest indoor skiing and snowboarding slope in the North West, boasting a 180 metre long real snow slope. The centre was launched in November 2007 and has welcomed over three million visitors ever since.
Chill Factore is located only four miles away from Manchester City Centre and offers cafes and restaurants as well as learning opportunities for snow based activities.
The centre is also home to Disability Snowsport UK (DSUK), which is a nationwide registered charity providing adaptive skiing for individuals with any disability, including physical, sensory and learning difficulties.
What to expect
A typical visit to Chill Factore will allow pupils to try their hands at a variety of different activities including tubing, a slide down the luge, airboarding, sledging, skiing, snowboarding, and climbing.
Schools can also try a new activity called snowscoot, which combines elements of snowboarding and BMX biking, or simply play in the area called snowplay.
For those wanting to try skiing or snowboarding, teachers can book their students onto a 50 minute fun taster lesson, a full on lesson lasting just under two hours, a one day beginner course or a one day improver course.
Skiing and snowboarding can offer many benefits to pupils, such as the acquisition of physical skill and knowledge, personal and social development, environmental awareness and the health of the individual.
However, there are also Key Stage workshops available at Chill Factore that touch on other areas of the curriculum.
Key Stage 1 and 2 workshops
One Chill Factore workshop, for example, is Science – Weather. This includes teaching pupils an introduction to weather seasons, how the snow is made and hot and cold environments.
Another Key Stage 1 and 2 topic is PSHE – Health & Safety, covering identifying uniforms and the type of clothing worn in a snow environment, matching which equipment goes with which activity and identifying signs and symbols used in the snow area and in the Chill Factore.
Key Stage 3 and 4 workshops
Key Stage 3 and 4 workshops, meanwhile, include Business Studies - Chill Factore as a Business. This workshop covers how the brand was created, brand positioning, utilising profits, organisational structure and business aims.
Another is ICT, where schools will learn how ICT works in different departments at Chill Factore, including call handling, booking systems, web use and technology used both externally and internally.
Each workshop also includes a 45 minute snow fun activity.
All equipment and safety gear is provided and the centre also has a ‘changing village’ filled with changing rooms.
Schools can also benefit from a dedicated group host, free coach and car parking, full risk assessments and add on refreshments and/or lunch.
For more information call 0161-749 2218 or visit www.chillfactore.com.
