I have ski friends in Manchester and when I go and visit them, we usually aim to spend some time on the piste. Whatever time of year, Chill Factore offers fun on real snow - we go to ski but there is also a luge track, tubing and a snow play area on offer.
Chill Factore is located just off junction 10 of the M60,. Yup, the Trafford Centre turnoff so be aware that there can be some big traffic jams if you're aiming to get to the Chill Factore for a certain start time. You'll also need to factor in some time to change and to get kitted out with boots and skis. Parking can be tight but we've usually found somewhere to park eventually.
There is a lovely big changing area with lots of lockers. The staff are quite efficient at getting you the necessary equipment and also making sure that your bindings are set at the right DIN settings for your height, weight and ski ability.
Access to the slopes is controlled with a swipecard giving access to the button lifts on either side of the main slope.
There is one main wide slope - they sometimes build little little jumps and even the odd rail but it's certainly roomier than the Snowdome in Tamworth. Hard to accurately compare the distance of the slopes as Tamworth has a 90 degree bend halfway down its slope but Chill Factore feels a little longer. The other nice thing is that there is a separate area for lessons and the main slope is just for recreational skiing.
In the same building, there are retail shops specialising in sporting activities as well as a choice of eating options, from juice bars to sit down restaurants.
Chill Factore is certainly the best indoor ski dome I've experienced in the UK.