Outside view of the massive Xscape complex, where visitors can ski, fly, rock climb, bowl, shop, and more. (Ben Murray / S&S)
Outside view of the massive Xscape complex, where visitors can ski, fly, rock climb, bowl, shop, and more. (Ben Murray / S&S)
With help from an Airkix instructor, James Allen, left, braves the 100 mph winds of a wind tunnel at the massive Xscape complex. (Ben Murray / S&S)
Skiers and snowboarders enjoy the 560-foot-long slope at the Xscape complex in Milton Keynes. (Sean Kimmons / S&S)
MILTON KEYNES — With a ski instructor at his side, 6-year-old Finlay Davies ventured down a snowy slope at Xscape, an ultimate entertainment complex about 50 miles west of Cambridge.
Davies, as well as other skiers and snowboarders, were wrapped up in full winter gear to protect themselves from 20-degree temperatures, quite a change from the sunny 80-degree weather outside the man- made snow dome, called the Sno! Zone.
Descending at about a 15-percent grade, the 560-foot-long skiing slope is a unique way to flee from the summer heat and stay proficient in your skiing or snowboarding skills.
But don’t be upset when you get there and find out you can’t hit the slopes solo right away. Everyone must meet the Sno! Zone’s minimum recreational standard before they can purchase untutored slope time.
Skiers and snowboarders must be able to link turns, control speed and use a Poma lift effectively. If you can’t do these things, lessons are available.
Tobogganing and tubing sessions also are offered on the slope.
The Sno! Zone is just one of numerous fun-filled delights at the Xscape complex, which seems to fulfill just about anybody’s adventure needs.
If the need to fly is on your list, then go to the Airkix. At speeds of up to 170 mph, the vertical wind tunnel that powers the Airkix allows thrill seekers to hover above the ground. The ride seems to re-create jumping out of a plane without the worry of a parachute malfunction.
Charlotte Allen, 11, was eager to take her turn in the Airkix. She leaped into the wind tunnel with her hands and legs spread out, as the high-speed winds quickly picked her up.
“You felt like you were flying,” she said after her one-minute ride.
Watching the Airkix participants is entertaining, too. A glass enclosure surrounds the Airkix, which allows people to see the distorted faces of thrill-seekers who are at the mercy of the forceful winds.
Maybe you are a climber and not interested in the snow or being able to fly. Xscape has you covered as well, with its two 43-foot towers for your climbing pleasure. There is even a smaller climbing wall without the security of safety ropes, but a mat on the ground to help soften a fall.
Besides these attractions, the complex has 24 lanes of bowling, an arcade room, a multiplex cinema, bars, restaurants, cafes and shopping.
If you go ...Sno! Zone: One hour on the man-made snow slope costs 21 pounds for adults and 18 pounds for children younger than 16. Lessons vary from 23 to 150 pounds. A 30-minute tobogganing session is 8 to 10 pounds, and a tubing session is 10 to 13 pounds, depending on the customer’s age.
Airkix: Two flights of one minute each, about the same as three tandem skydiving jumps, will cost around 40 pounds.
Rock climbing: An hour on the 43-foot towers costs 10 pounds for adults and 8 pounds for children younger than 16.
Location: The corner of Marlborough Street and Child’s Way, near the center of Milton Keynes.
