We have regular ski meets at Manchester's indoor slope, Chill Factore. Some are purely social events while at others the club provides instructors on a fairly informal basis.
N.B. You must be a member of the Ski Club of Manchester to participate. It is possible to join on the day provided full payment is made. Details and application form here.
Check our events page for dates and times and join the mailing list for updates and reminders of meets.
It is up to each individual to book the slope for themselves in advance. SCoM members can get a 15% discount by presenting their membership card at "Guest Reception" when booking in person or with the discount code shown here when booking by telephone (0161 749 2222). Bookings can also be made online but do not benefit from the Club discount. However the summer Chill Factore Lift Pass discount of 20% is currently available when booking online.
SCoM Chill Factore minimum standards
As a pre-requisite for any of the Ski Club of Manchester, SCoM, bi-monthly sessions at the Chill Factore, members must meet the following minimum standards:
- Be able to control and link turns.
- Be able to control speed and direction.
- Be able to stop safely.
- Be comfortable with variable piste conditions.
- Be competent to use a drag lift to the top of the main slope.
More details on standards can be found on the Chill Factore website. These requirements apply to both instructed and non-instructed SCoM sessions.
If you cannot meet the minimum standards above, you will be asked to leave the slope and you must pay for your own lessons with a Chill Factore instructor. Only once you have achieved the minimum standards above will you be able to join any SCoM session.
Instruction
SCoM pay for the provision of Ski Instruction from the Chill Factore during the build-up to the ski season and throughout the winter months (September through to February). Typically three or four ski instructors are hired for our Tuesday morning sessions and one for Wednesday evening sessions.
Ski Mornings
Ski Mornings are usually every second Tuesday in the month. Book ahead directly with Chill Factore to be sure of a place on the slope. We also have Friday morning meets in October and November when there will be moguls on the slope. We'll have a single instructor on those days.
On the days where we provide coaching (September through to February) the instructors will be available from 10.00am to 12.00 noon. We all ski and chat (some can even do both together!!) and go for coffee or lunch afterwards.
Coffee shop — Costa Coffee — opens 9.00am.
Slope opens 7.30am.
Jennifer Bridgland will usually be there to meet and greet from about 9.30am.
Ski Evenings
Evening ski meets are usually every fourth Wednesday in the month from September to February. The Club provides an instructor from 7.00pm to 9.00pm for those who wish take advantage of free tuition. Again we go for a coffee, chocolate or beer afterwards.
Val Poole will usually be there to meet and greet from about 6.30pm.
News from the Chill Factore
Tuesday morning 14th January 2025. Reporter: Brian Allcock
19 Members attended the Tuesday morning meet. We had 4 instructors, Ellie, Mell, Will and Ben. This provided an excellent instructor to trainee ratio. Ellie took members who wanted to get their ski legs back in a gentle fashion. Ben and Will were more adventurous working on movement in skiing technique.
I was told by a member they had them jumping in the air during one exercise. Myself and 3 others were with Mell who worked with us on edge and angulation both lateral and with ankles I personally found this very useful and enlightening.
Post Ski activities were held at Costa giving members the opportunity to chat and swap stories.
The next Chill Factore meet will be on Tuesday 11th of February this will probably the last chance to receive instruction from Chill Factore instructors this season so make a note in your diary.
Wednesday evening 11th December 2024. Reporter: Chris Fildes
There were 17 of us altogether. We were split into two groups. The slope was in good condition and virtually no queues. Our group concentrated the basics including the dreaded pole balancing exercise, all good fun! We had two instructors, one concentrated on Xmas Cracker jokes which fell on snowy pistes! But it was important to get back to basics again.
We rounded off with the usual coffee, cake and a chat at Costa.
Looking forwards to seeing you on the 14th January 2025!
Tuesday morning 7th December 2024. Reporter: Chris Fildes
I stood in for the meet and greet as Janet was enjoying the Club Val d’Isere instruction Holiday, I was told the skiing was good and so was the tuition.
4 members attended the session. Debora, Dami John and Barbara enjoyed the tuition while I chased off (in full regalia for a choir concert). I’d rather have been on the slope!
Wednesday evening 28th November 2024. Reporter: Val Poole
A reasonable turnout, 7 members enjoyed excellent tuition from John Q, the slopes weren’t overly busy, just a little bumpy and icy in sections but nothing the fab 7 couldn’t handle.
We welcomed new member Alana.