Chill Factore

Brilliant place to have a bit of fun on the snow since we rarely see any in the UK. Snowboard/Toboggan/Ski or Tube down the large hill. Prices are reasonable and is definitely an alternative way to spend the day/night with a large group of friends or with family. Absolutely freezing in the hill area itself, as expected, so wrap up warm before you come here. Definitely worth the trek to it!

Great day out for all the family.

Quite an amazing place - worth going just for a nosy at the ski slope through the glass! Nice little cafes and shops around. Children really enjoyed the tubing (it was a child’s party) and the party food was the usual pizza/chips/ice cream

Well what an amazing place the Chill Factor e is, I had a fantastic time! The building is very visually striking, in fact you find yourself staring at it as you drive over the M60 bridge, which could be dangerous. I agree with what people say about the signage, there isn’t any, but if you are traveling off the motorway and most people are you would have to be blind to miss it! The slope is long, I think I’m right in saying it’s the longest in the U.K for now. I was disappointed to find that they only have jumps, rails and boxes out for 3 hours a week. Come on guys the slope is more than big enough for everyone so get at least one kicker running full time! Off the slopes there are a few really good shops which have all the latest in ski and board tech. I would definitely recommend this place.

First of all it’s got a bloody silly name. I think the consensus is that it should be called the “Chill Factory” but the odd e on the end, and it’s jaunty angle in the logo makes it seem like it could be pronounced another way.

Signposting is poor, and on a Tomtom the postcode sends you to a little industrial estate the wrong side of the building. Considering the significance of this place then they could have payed to get tourist signposting in place.

Car parking is good, and there are a number of related shops on site such as a Snow + Rock, Dare 2 B store, and an cycling shop.

Queuing to pay and get skis can be a trial. They have a small number of cashiers on, and if they are attempting to guide someone through the options and book lessons then you can be waiting a long time.

Once you are on the slope it’s good fun, and you can’t really complain about the price when you look at the engineering and cooling needed for such a place. The ski lifts seemed to be very good at stopping regularly.

It’s a bit annoying that ski school people get priority access to the lift, and it doesn’t seem to be checked in anyway.

All in all, good fun, but not sure how it would compare to others.

visited chill factor twice. first time on a saturday. My girlfriend had to wait 20 minuites for basic skis as none were available. Large queues meant only managed about 5 runs in 1 and a half hours. Next time girlfriend took children but when she reached the top of the drag lift the emergency stop was activated due to a skier falling off at the bottom. As she let go of the drag lift bar to ski away it swung back due to being suddenly stopped and hit her in face causing bruising down whole left side of face. When reported to attendant he stated ” you aren`t the first and certainly wont be the last”. So beware the drag lift bars dont retract above head height as in proper resorts.
She was only offered a refund when she brouht it up when leaving.
Rubbish. No stars

I booked two ski lessons as a late Christmas present for my husband, one morning and one afternoon. The drawback was that we had two different instructors - one for both sessions would have made much more sense. I don’t know if you could specify that.
However, both lads were young and enthusiastic, and it was useful to have such individual tuition just before we went on our annual ski holiday. Those having lessons get priority access to the button lift, although it isn’t very clear and we did feel as though we were pushing in.
The changing rooms were clean and warm, staff helpful and friendly, hired equipment was easy to access and all new and shiny - although that won’t last!
The lessons were expensive, but skiing is not a cheap hobby and it did help prepare us for our hols. We enjoyed it enough to be going back with our teenage boys in April.

Just as a footnote, I have generally heard that they operate a strict policy on attendance and time keeping - which can be challenging as the traffic in that area is often unpredictable. So long as you know that’s their policy, anyone booking in advance needs to be mindful of it. Another option is to book when you arrive, although there is a risk that it may already be fully booked.

Generally a good place and an extra string in Manchester’s bow - a more flexible booking policy might earn more friends and loyalty than the current system.

I went tubing here and on the luge. We were a bit worried when we arrived that it was only for children but soon found out it was brilliant fun for adults as well. I am 23 and had a brilliant time.

Tubing is where you get in a rubber ring, like a water one, and go down the smaller slopes in it. You can hold on to your friends' ring or go down by yourself. If you ask nicely they will push you off and spin you down! You go down and then up again at the end on the snow.

All the staff were really friendly and we got some special ski boots as you go in as everyone does. Gloves are compulsory and can be hired. They also gave us helmets to wear.

We also went on the luge, which is a like a waterslide but is made of ice. You get a foam mat with handles to go down on and just sit on it. Again they push you if you ask. You go down really fast and if you lie down even faster. It feels really fun having the wind in your hair and whizzing down.

There is an alpine village where you can have a drink although I didnt have time to go in.

There is loads and loads of shops and bars to go to in the complex although many of them weren't open.

It cost us £12 each for an hour and we booked for 9pm. There weren't many people there.

My one bit of advice is to wear as many socks as possible! My feet were FREEZING! Also take a change of clothes for after driving home with a wet bum was not nice.

It was nice and warm in the changing rooms which was good.

I'm not sure if I would do the tubing again - it was brilliant fun though. I'm definitely going to go back for snowboarding lessons though. You could see people having them while you were there.