Just been talking to Rhea on MSN, and it turns out that both of us quite like snowboarding. This prompted me to think that a MAP trip to Xscape for a snowboarding day out, followed by a meal might be a good call. Since I'm proposing this, I'm also going to state that I mean the Milton Keynes slope because it's easier for me to get to! If anyone's interested in going along, either for a lesson or just for some slope time, then post here. If enough people are interested we might even be able to get a group discount! I guess we could allow skiers along too, but only if you promise to be good!
Never been on a snowboard in my life... So, providing they'll let me on the slope, I'm in! Judging on my skate boarding abilities that should be a laugh...
Well, they have lessons, so if I know in advance who needs lessons and who is going to terrorise the general slope population with me, I can see what I can do to accommodate everyone, assuming this is a plan people don't mind me looking into seriously!
For the couple of people who've asked me so far, I'd probably be looking for about a month's time, so early November or thereabouts. Probably go for a saturday early afternoon slot to beat the evening rush. Obviously for a group I'd need to book, and lessons will already be filling up for the pre-Christmas season learners, so if you want to come along, let me know ASAP.
Damn ... I'm an avid snowboarder ! Too bad you all an't come over to board in Vermont. Unfortunately I have to wait a couple months for the snow !
Maybe one day I'll make it over for a trip... I'll have to get a bit better first! Did I mention that anyone coming along WILL see me fall over and make a fool of myself on numerous occasions? Picture taking will be encouraged for the gallery
NO! Because children are often far too good at skiing/boarding! I accidentally knocked a small child over next to a ski lift in Norway!!! It didnt cry....
I've got no personal objection to people bringing along a kid, a friend, family, random strangers they met on the way, etc. As long as I know who I need to get tickets for in advance, I'm happy. Others can turn up on the day, but if the slope happens to be really busy they may not get in. At this point I should probably lay the ground rules for what I will and won't arrange! Will: Recreational skiers/boarders* Individuals or groups of beginner-level people who want a lesson at the same time as the recreational (this I will arrange if I can, I'll let people know what options there are by e-mail when this gets off the ground) The meal afterwards for anyone attending and any others who want to come along. I will try to book something in advance so that we're guaranteed enough seats, so extras may or may not be able to join in Won't: Arrange lessons for people with previous experience, as I'm not good enough to guess ability levels and don't want to disappoint if I get it wrong! Transport... goes without saying that I'm not going to individually arrange transport, but I will offer lifts in my car if enough people can go from London so that we all save on the train fares. Hope this clears it up a bit! * note that the MK Xscape policy for being allowed on the slopes without lessons is that you can link your turns, control your speed and use a drag lift. This applies to both skiers and boarders
By the way, if the idea takes off, I will probably need people to cough up some money in advance. I'm a nice guy, but I'm not quite nice enough to arrange all this at my own financial risk... If that's a problem with anyone for any reason (either not trusting me, understandable, or unable to pay by the event, then I won't be able to advance book for you, but you should still be able to get slope passes if you get there early enough and the meal after shouldn't be a problem at all.
I do, yes. Will have to work out how to do anything other than spend money with it, but it shouldn't take me too long to do. I'll make a couple of calls tomorrow and find out what we need for discounted rates and get back here with an estimate of price, a confirmed date we'll try this on, and a request for people who are definitely interested to PM me so I can keep track of this a bit better! If it works out well, I'll be more than happy to arrange more "MAP Social Club" trips
