Chill Factore, Manchester

The ski pass won’t let you out of the changing area onto the slope until the start of your timeslot. But once through, you are immediately struck by the cold air. Several layers of clothing, gloves, salopettes and a hat were necessary. But there it is – real snow under foot!

There is a nursery slope, and a curly tube like a waterslide called the luge, plus an area where kids and adults can slide down on inflatable donuts.

The main slope is served by two Poma drag lifts. At the top they have snow cannons hissing away quite loudly. They generate fog rather than pretty Christmas card snowflakes, but the walls and roof trusses become encrusted in layers of snow which the staff presumably harvest for grooming the slopes.

My first four runs down were a bit uncomfortable as I got used to everything. The snow is great, if a little sticky at slow speeds, but the lighting is flat making it difficult to make out the surface contours. The ‘beginners’ drag lift broke down which caused queues at the remaining one. This is where the staff could have done more to keep things moving.

When skiing on the Continent, you expect to be handed your button pole by the attendant. All you have to do is put it between your legs and go. At the Chill Factore the attendant just watches as less experienced skiers make a grab for the pole – sometimes up to eight times before successfully getting one between their legs. Meanwhile a queue builds up.