Has anyone skied on “Snowflex”?

Just wondered if anyone had skied on this surface? I was at a 2 day conference on 'Polymers in Sport' with a session on winter sports and there was a talk on this product (though as it was by the manufacturers they were obviously singing its praises.) ) Trying to decide if it's worth a trip to Halifax (which seems to be the nearest slope) to give it a try?

There was also a great talk from an academic at Sheffield (Prof. Peter Styring) on the Wildfire self waxing ski system and other options for waxes to increase performance for elite athletes. However, his comments on his 'lab' (which in this case was the top of a deserted Austrian glacier product testing the new systems) :shock: were enough to make me think that I'd picked the wrong branch of science (perfect job doesn't come close!!) and that next season can't come quickly enough. :D

Hi Lynn

Not skied Snowflex, only Dendix, which is pretty unforgiving stuff in a fall (Dendix rash, broken thumb) The snowflex surface is meant to more resemble snow underfoot, be more forgiving for learners, slower and AIUI is much hated by the dry slope racing community, as it's too hard to fix racing gates onto the surface.

I have heard of these self waxing systems before, which sound good in theory, and the lab reads like a dream job )

My local dry ski slope Calshot fitted this a couple of years ago and whenever i have skied there it has quite good a bit slower but less damage when you fall over. I will be going along to there ramps and rails night soon so will let you know how i get on

Both the 2 local dryslopes in Glasgow have "snowflex" on the jumps part of the slope-they have dendex on the learner slopes.
I have found it to be more realistic than dendex but still not a pleasant experience-very "skiddy" and hard to actually turn on properly.
They dont race on it because put simply I dont think you could get an edge to carve on!
good for jumps though because its dead springy!
go and try it out

My local slope is dendex and I've only used it once (my first time on skis) but this does sound a bit better. I think a trip may be in order, particularly as my 'grandmother in law' lives close by so we could combine it with a visit.

It was mentioned about the racing community hating it (poles, speed and holding an edge as you all say), but I got the impression that wasn't really their target market.

Don't forget your waterproofs. Most Snowflex slops are 'misted' with water to speed them up a bit. They're also built with a layer of cushioning foam under them so they are a lot more forgiving than dendex slopes.

If you can master your turns on Snowflex then snow will be a doddle. You can't cheat on Snowflex!

fair point ellistine-if you can ski on snowflex the real deal will be brilliant fun!

rossyhead wrote:fair point ellistine-if you can ski on snowflex the real deal will be brilliant fun!

I've skied snow :shock: