Snow all year round - so go in summer (Snowdome Tamworth)

Member Name: bucksfizz66

Product:	Snowdome Tamworth
Date:	07/06/09 (35 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheaper and quieter in the summer

Disadvantages: Not checking class lists and child safety in tiny tubing

I have been visiting the Snowdome for a year now. My daughter has skiing lessons here, which involves starting off in a Kinder Fun Session in their Snow Play Area then progressing through Kinder 1 and 2 in the Snow Academy (this is a shorter slope beneath the main slop) and then onto Kinder 3 and Kinder Club on the main slope.

What ever you do - do not block book lessons for your child in a set class - they progress through the classes quicker than you imagine and the Snowdome do not transfer or refund any bookings. If you are going to be continually going for lessons it is better to become a member as the lessons are cheaper and it only takes a few weeks to get the cost of this back.

Everyone goes to learn in the winter months especially on the run up to the ski holiday season, it might seem abit bizarre to go in the summer but the lessons are cheaper and the slope is quieter.

On arrival you have to check in for the lesson at the main desk, they then tell you the name of the instructor and the number of the meeting point. Give yourself some time for getting boots and ski's on arrival even if there is only a small queue it involves a wait and small people do need abit of time to get into their gear.

The computer does give the instructor the class list, I think they do look at this to confirm class number but they do not check off pupils names, as a parent make sure you check lest you send them out for a lesson they are not capable of doing.

Lessons are 50 minutes and parents can view Kinder 3 and Kinder Club from a balcony overlooking the slope. Yes its abit chilly so you need to wrap up too, alternatively sit in the cafe bit and be warmer. Whether it's the lighting in the Snowdome I do not know but from the balcony all photos tend to come out all dark - don't be too disappointed.

The snowplay area we visited when my daughter was younger as she had never been sledging as snow doesn't seem to stick like it used too. This area provided that opportunity and is separate from the slope so they are perfectly safe.

I have also been a bystander at a tiny tubing party - this is immensely popular between my daughter and her friends, but abit cold for the parents. This is another slope that does ultimately run down to the floor, but there are padded moveable stoppers at the end - as the children crash into these they move to present the floor at the end of the slope, to my mind the attending staff were not too concerned about returning these stoppers to ensure the childrens safety.

The snowdome does have a Starbucks with expensive snacks and odd tasting tea - take your own food and get a drink from the other cafe.

There is a snowgear shop at the Snowdome but if you are there for Kinder lessons on a Sunday this shop will not be open until 11am (you will have left before then). There are spare gloves and hats kept behind the main desk if required in an emergency.

Summary: Children love it here - but go in summer its cheaper for lessons