Snowflex is as good as advertised!!!!

[bamapilot]

So most of you know, I had a chance to get up to Lynchburg, VA and on campus of Liberty University they have a new to this country ski area. It's called snowflex, the astroturf of snow(Astro-snow). The area is about the size of THE CLOUDMONT but the slopes are actually better.



The Lodge, since the place has only been open for a couple of weeks, everything is shinny new.





In front of the lodge is a "training" slope. They suggest you take a few runs here to get the feel of this stuff, they also do tube runs down this slope.





They have a rope tow for this little slope, it's maybe 20-30 feet of vert. It really doesn't help much because it doesn't have enough slope to get any speed to actually make a turn.





Now for the real slopes. To ride you must get to the top, and here is your ride.





When you get to the top, there are two choices. What I would call a regular slope, it's a dogleg to the right and has two rails set up on it. This is a couple pics from the top.







And then there is what can only be described as a "Big Air" set up. It's just a straight run, steep with a 3 foot and a 6 foot kicker at the end. At the top there is a box that you can climb to get some extra speed. It really isn't necessary.





And a few shots from the bottom, with a couple of people coming over the top.













I'm staying in the Wingate hotel, the closet thing you will get to slope side lodging, it's just down the hill, about 2 blocks from the slope.



My vote for Apres Ski is Macado's. It's a restaurant at the bottom of the hill, good wings and sandwiches. And don't worry, they have good beer too.



Anyone get a chance to go, go. It's worth it. The best way to describe it is like sticky ice. It takes a few runs to get the hang of it, and you get very wet. Also, any exposed skin that happens to rub across this stuff with be left on the slope. Any more questions, pls ask, I think I've covered as much as I can think of.



ENJOY!!!

[KneeDeep]

Mmmmmm.... McAdo's. We used to go to the one in G'boro when I was in college and drink those big spooners. That brings back some damn good memories.

[snowboardwfaith]

skizer, of course bamapilot can answer this better but I was told that it has a constant sheet of water running down it. Could be wrong on that. I was told this when the place was being developed and I was on the campus doing lighting for a concert. One of the "higher ups" for the school was telling me about it. The said after opening the will turn the main run into a terrain park set up with rails and boxes spread throughout the run. No clue if that is still the plan or when it will come online. Just passing on what I was told before construction began.

[davidski]

Great report---



Some of the promotional videos showed a cheesy mogul run to one side-- does that exist?



So what do you think -- is it worth a two hour drive for a downhill skier?



nevermind --I'm going anyway



Thanks for a good report

[SkiCop]

How much was the lift ticket.. er.. love offering?

[bamapilot]

For the water question, it has misters that spray water up about knee high that keep it wet. After I was done I was soaking wet. I don't think this is something I would want to do when it's 30-40 degrees outside. But during the summer it is great. There is padding under this stuff so it doesn't hurt to bounce off of it.



As far as driving, I drove 3+ hours from Raleigh to get here, and since it's all paid for for me, it was worth it. It will definitly give you your fix for riding.



They are still building, the second half will open scheduled for Nov 28th. Looks like it will double the ski area. I think it said 30,000 sg feet of ski area when done.



I was told that all the money for this thing was donated, gotta love rich alumni.



The lifty was only $7 an hour, and rental was $12 for all night, all rentals are brand new equipment. I would ride my board there with no worries of the base. During the week lifties are only $5 an hour.

[bamapilot]

I forgot one question, right now there are no moguls on the current slope. That video is from a Snowflex center in England. I would hope that on the additional slopes they do put some in. It would be nice to have as much different terrian to ride on as possible.

[codyblank]

i think it would be cool to try once, but i'll bet its much more fun to be at sugar and have gunther's snowguns blowing on you when its 10 degrees.

[time2323]

Thanks for the TR Bama. You answered all the questions I had about this and I believe Ill have to go soon.

[Zeus]

If it wasn't 6 hours from Knoxville, I would def. go and check it out.



If I'm ever up in Roanoke though, I'll jump over there and give it a go.