Might not be a double black diamond but folks from Iowa will soon have the option to downhill ski and snowboard year-round thanks to the installation of an artificial snow surface to small hill in Des Moines.
Sleepy Hallow Sports Park’s new attraction is currently under construction and is scheduled to open next spring. The slope will be covered in SnowFlex, a high performance synthetic system which enables skiing, snowboarding and snow-tubing without the need for actual snow.
Looks like they have a magic carpet going in to get to the top. Toss a rail or a box in the middle somewhere and you could sharpen your park skills in the dog days of summer. Nice!
Briton was established in 1979, by graduate mechanical engineer and passionate skier Brian Thomas, initially as a ski lift manufacturer, before moving into terrain design, earthworks and installation for the UK’s synthetic ski slope industry.
In the early 90s Brian saw an opportunity for a product that would go on to revolutionise what was possible in snowsports, and after several years of development Snowflex® was launched.
Since the beginning, Briton has focused on continuous investment in research and development, having gained knowledge from hundreds of completed projects and strong relationships with customers all around the world. Snowflex® continues to be manufactured exclusively on purpose designed machinery at Briton’s factory in Holmfirth, UK.
Briton is looking to continue to extend its reach and continue to introduce year-round snowsports to new communities far and wide.
nowflex® is a high performance synthetic system which enables a commercial snowsports center to be built for year round use, anywhere.
Snowflex®
- There have been at least 50 ski surface inventions in the last 50 years but Snowflex® is recognized as the closest replication of snow. It is the first invention developed by a snowsports company from the end users perspective. Previous synthetic materials were by-products from the brush, plastic or carpet industry.
- It is softer to fall on than hard pack snow and is therefore safer.
- It can be used all year round and located anywhere.
- It is consistent, never needs grooming and requires very little maintenance compared with snow.
- It is very addictive because of rapid skill development. It creates repeat business.
- It enables outdoor use, therefore less capital for buildings and very small energy demands.
- It has a low carbon footprint compared with a refrigerated building.
- Slopes can be built on land which might otherwise be unusable for building.
- Services the existing snowsports market.
- Builds new business opportunities
- Encourages new users to snowsports.
- It’s fun, it’s slippy and it’s safe.
