Castleford had an Xscapeology (now called SNO!storm) night last Friday and it was excellent. This was the second one of these that I've been to and I must say that the park setup has been great at both. You also get an extra hour of riding for the same price, making it a 5 hour session. Here's what was on offer on Friday evening:
- Gap kicker. Good size and really well shaped
- 4m Down Rail (side kickers)
- Down-Flat-Down Kink (side kickers)
- Slide Box
- Raised Magic Rail
- 10m Rail
- SNO!storm Whale Tail Box
- Raised Transco Pipe
- Raised C-box
- C-Box
- Double Picnic Bench
- SNO!storm Wall Ride
- Rookie / Snowskate park with rookie rails, boxes and kickers
The rails were organised into 3 separate 'lines' and there was just loads to choose from.
I think I spent my time roughly 50-50 between the kicker and the rails, although maybe a little more time on the kicker. I was most determined to work on the frontside 3, but also worked on the fs 180 and a basic backside shifty. Right at the end of the night I got a couple of short shots on the kicker, which I'll post shortly...
The rails were a lot of fun! I tried the down-flat-down for the first time, although I've got to say that the kink was pretty mild compared to previous setups, so it made for a good introduction. I was using the short rail with side kickers to practice ollie'ing on from the side to a 50-50; beginner stuff, but it was the first time I'd gotten around to trying it. As you progress to different rails riding straight on is rarely going to be an option so it's something that I need to be comfortable with. I also started to hit the slide box switch.
The wall ride was another first. Nothing impressive to report unfortunately.
All in all this was probably the best session that I've had at Castleford (and that was without playing around on the snowskates!) The park was great. I just wish that they'd put these sessions on more often...
5 comments:
I never really do the indoor domes. MK closest, but still a bit of a trek from South London. How about getting some photos up of the park so we can see what we're missing?
Hey Adam,
you're right, putting some photos up would be a good idea! I didn't take any last Friday, but I'll be putting up a short bit of video which does show some of the features - well, the kicker at least.
I think maybe the next few times that I go to Castleford I'll take some snaps of the features they have...
Cheers, Gav
Cool, like the blog by the way. Recent find for me.
And I could practice what I preach a bit more myself. My site is a bit of a text fest at the moment!
Heya - out of interest, what's the Castleford park night like for beginners? I'd really like to learn to jump/take rails on, but never really tried in resort - Castleford's only 20mins away though so this seems like a decent snow fix!
(fwiw, I ski not board, plan to take my blades rather than full length skis since I figure they'll be easier to learn on!)
Hey Dave,
I think the park night is quite good for beginners - there is usually a beginner kicker and one or two beginner rails. The best thing to do is to check out the layout before you go. I think the most reliable update for the park layout is SCUK - they post the layout on either Wednesday or Thursday in the Headlines section on the main page.
As well as the "open" freestyle session it might be worth considering the snow academy lessons they run on a Thursday. The lessons run alongside the Thursday freestyle night, and I think they fill the beginner slope with beginner rails on this night.
I've got a friend who's been going regularly to the freestyle lessons as a boarder and he thinks they're great...
They might be changing the night of the freestyle lessons so if you're interested I'd check on the details.
Also - I might be wrong but I don't think I've ever seen anyone on blades. Not sure what that means though, so I'd check about that too :-)
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