Snowflex
Encyclopedia
Snowflex is a snow sports surfacing product, invented and manufactured by Briton Engineering Developments Ltd of Holmfirth, West Yorkshire in the UK.
The surface system is made of a polymer composite, comprising a monofilament
fibre and impregnated carrier layer. This sits on top of a shock absorption layer in an attempt to give an authentic responsive and reactive feel. Other components in Snowflex include an integrated misting system, known as BritonMist, for friction reduction and an impervious membrane for recycling of water. The base is a woven controlling layer which prevents earth movement. The surface layer is manufactured in tile form and as such Snowflex forms a homogenous system which can be cut and formed into features and shapes such as those found in alpine environments.
Snowflex Qualities
Due to the complex nature of Snowflex, it is not possible to self-install. Instead the company which designed and manufactures it operates as installers as well. This is a first for snowsports surfaces as previous materials were able to be installed by slope operators at their own cost.
Following its launch in 1996 Snowflex has been installed at over thirty slope operations, including: Bearsden
, near Glasgow; Noeux les Mines in northern France; Valladolid
in Spain; Liberty University
in Lynchburg, Virginia
.
On February 28, 2009, Woodward Camp
opened the doors to the first year-round ski and snowboard training facility dedicated to terrain park and pipe progression at Copper Mountain (Colorado)
Resort in Colorado. The 20000 square feet (1,858.1 m²) indoor facility known as the Barn features a Snowflex big air jump into a 55' long foam pit as well as a Snowflex slope with rails and boxes that end in a quarterpipe.
Monofilament
A monofilament may be:* Monofilament fishing line, a type of thread* A monofilament as used in a monofilament test in a neurological examination* Monomolecular wire, a fictional type of wire consisting of a single strand of molecules...
fibre and impregnated carrier layer. This sits on top of a shock absorption layer in an attempt to give an authentic responsive and reactive feel. Other components in Snowflex include an integrated misting system, known as BritonMist, for friction reduction and an impervious membrane for recycling of water. The base is a woven controlling layer which prevents earth movement. The surface layer is manufactured in tile form and as such Snowflex forms a homogenous system which can be cut and formed into features and shapes such as those found in alpine environments.
Snowflex Qualities
- Slip and grip: Maximum forward speed; extra edge control for turning; realism is lost without speed and edge control
- Safety: Ultra cushioning for falls; no holes in surface layer to get caught in; no sharp edges/surface metal to cause abrasions or cuts.
- Form-ability: Ability to create adventurous and interesting terrain and stunt formations
- Authenticity: Creates the thrill of real snow
Due to the complex nature of Snowflex, it is not possible to self-install. Instead the company which designed and manufactures it operates as installers as well. This is a first for snowsports surfaces as previous materials were able to be installed by slope operators at their own cost.
Following its launch in 1996 Snowflex has been installed at over thirty slope operations, including: Bearsden
Bearsden
Bearsden ) is a town in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland. It lies on the northwestern fringe of Greater Glasgow, approximately from the City Centre, and is effectively a suburb, with housing development coinciding with the introduction of a railway line in 1863, and from where the town gets its name...
, near Glasgow; Noeux les Mines in northern France; Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
in Spain; Liberty University
Liberty University
Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Liberty's annual enrollment is around 72,000 students, 12,000 of whom are residential students and 60,000+ studying through Liberty University Online...
in Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
.
Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre
Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre in Lynchburg, Virginia, is the first Snowflex facility in the United States open to the public. LMSC is a year round outdoor ski and snowboard slope that consist of two slopes, a beginner and an intermediate slope and also three big air kickers with a ninety foot long landing ramp, a 11' tall quarter pipe and wall ride, also, multiple boxes and rail features for all levels of riders. There is a two carpet lifts that can get you to the top or, you can use the surface cable lift to tow you to the top.On February 28, 2009, Woodward Camp
Woodward Camp
Camp Woodward is a youth sports summer camp near State College, Pennsylvania with programming in Gymnastics, Cheer, Skateboarding, BMX Freestyle, Inline Skating, and dry land Snowboard and Freeski....
opened the doors to the first year-round ski and snowboard training facility dedicated to terrain park and pipe progression at Copper Mountain (Colorado)
Copper Mountain (Colorado)
Copper Mountain is a mountain located in Summit County, Colorado, about west of Denver on Interstate 70. Opened in late 1972, its most notable use is as a ski resort, owned and operated by Intrawest until Dec...
Resort in Colorado. The 20000 square feet (1,858.1 m²) indoor facility known as the Barn features a Snowflex big air jump into a 55' long foam pit as well as a Snowflex slope with rails and boxes that end in a quarterpipe.