INFORMATION

PACK

Briton Engineering Developments Ltd, Lee Mills, Scholes, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. HD9 1RT

T: 00 44 (0)1484 689933 F: 00 44 (0)1484 689944 www.snowflex.com

Briton Engineering Developments Ltd is a unique in the world

“Design & Build” company dedicated to creating 365 days a

year snowsports facilities.

Formed in 1979, Briton Engineering Developments has been

involved in over 200 snowsports-related projects both in the

UK and internationally.

With over 30 years experience in urban snowsports market,

Briton Engineering Developments Ltd is the only company to

operate a full design and build service, which includes the

award winning Snowflex® surface system.

In addition to being the UK's only manufacturer of ski lifts,

Briton is also sole UK agents for Doppelmayr, world leaders in

cable cars and ropeway systems.

It is fair to say that most people believe that urban snow sports are a good idea,

hence the many attempts over the last 50 years or so to try and invent and

develop a ski surface – there have been at least 50 attempts, as far as we know,

to do this.

Though the business concept is sound and commercially attractive, the

developments to produce a ski surface have not been. That is to say, these 50 or

so attempts do not simulate snow well enough. In short they have not been good

enough to create sustainable repeat business.

These surfaces are, without exception, manufactured as a “by product” from

other industries such as the brush, carpet or plastics industries where there is

insufficient knowledge of snow sports to create what is actually required by the

activity.

Briton Engineering Developments is a unique “design & build” company,

dedicated to 365 days a year snowsports activities. With over 30 years experience

in urban snow sports market, Briton has witnessed all the mistakes that can and

have been made. The failure of all of these products over the last 50 years to

reproduce a true “ski and snowboarding” experience is the single factor that led

Briton, to design and develop the Snowflex® surface system and the Snowflex

Urban Snowsports Centre concept.

and

Snowflex® is truly the only surface that has been designed and manufactured

purely as a surface to ski & board upon and was invented from a “What do

customers want?” viewpoint. This meant that the whole process including all the

manufacturing equipment had to be developed on a clean sheet of paper basis.

Snowflex® is also the only surface product to win two awards from the British

Department of Trade and Industry.

Snowflex® has been recognised as one of the most exciting innovations in the

snow sports market and is a real and credible alternative to snow, designed to

replicate all the properties that skiers and snowboarders experience with real

snow. It is low maintenance, requires no grooming as with real snow, and is softer

to fall on than hard packed snow.

Our experience and research shows quite clearly that Snowflex offers people

the opportunity to ski and snowboard all year round with no restrictions due to the

weather and is the first product where customers want to return again and again.

This emphasises the fact that the business model is sound and commercially

attractive.

“Skiing has evolved into one of the world’s most aspirational adventure sports,

competing with F1 for glamour and excitement but it is accessible to all, from

nervous novices to extreme experts.”

First Choice Holidays flight magazine

As unique Design & Build engineers, Briton Engineering Developments offer

normally includes for:

a. Slope design, incorporating interesting terrain shapes to take into account

abilities from beginners through to expert skiers & boarders

b. Supervision of all civil engineering works including the provision of specially

developed plant & machinery (in the UK we can also do all of these works but

internationally we would act as Project Managers for local labour & resources)

c. Manufacture and Supplying the Snowflex® system

d. Installation of Snowflex® system

e. Manufacture & installation of Briton lift systems

f. Supply & installation of Dopplemayr lift systems

g. Manufacture & installation of BritonMist slope lubrication system

Our experience is such that we can advise on the best way to achieve the

desired results and one that will look and perform like mountain conditions,

making Snowflex® the only economically viable artificial surface system. Not only

does the product look good but people experience a real snow feeling and will

not get bored of uninteresting slope design nor a surface that does not perform.

These facts will bring people back, time and time again.

The Snowflex Urban Snowsports Centre is an exciting new concept in the urban

snowsports market and one that is presently being developed on a world-wide

scale. The concept regenerates the snowsports market in much the same way

that the cinema industry or the health and fitness industry have undergone a

renaissance in recent years - by replacing failed surface products with one that is

cool, vibrant, attractive and commercially viable. An Urban Snowsports Centre

should include in its design full facilities such as bars, restaurants, retail, offices,

workshops, car parks and an infrastructure of appropriate quality and investment

commensurate with any first class leisure facility. A restricted budget will

undoubtedly be criticised by the customer, and could jeopardise the business

and the investment made - in our opinion this is a risk that should not be taken.

Slope Design

Ski Slopes are designed to be excellent training vehicles. The hunger for skill

acquisition means people will not just use the slope before going on an annual

skiing trip but will take up the activity as a hobby and pastime.

Whilst Snowflex® is a very important part of the successful slope, it really is only

part of the overall turnkey package supplied by Briton Engineering Developments.

Our design and operational team has expertise in all the essential aspects of

design, planning, construction and commissioning, both on the slopes and in the

associated ski lodge, retail and catering developments.

Measurements of the landscape profile, gradients and features can be taken

electronically and developed through our advanced Computer-Aided Design

systems. This enables the slope design to make best possible use of the site terrain

and of Snowflex®.

Terrain can vary greatly between developments - projects have included:

• Fun parks

• Quarter Pipes

• Half Pipes

• Spines

• Moguls

• Fun Boxes

• Table Tops

• Kickers

• Jumps

• Hips

• Bowls

• Cornice

Typical Slope Layout

Our slope designs take account of a number of key factors:

• The local ski / boarder experience and skill level

• Trends / appetite for particular features

• Data detailing the trajectories of jumpers / freestylers on different

gradients / features. This ensures landing zones are at the right

degree, and in the right place, and the features are successful and

popular

Factors affecting the success of a slope can be specifically catered for,

and will include things such as the skill set of the target market, land and

budget available.

Within any of our designs the slope will be laid out to ensure it will appeal to

all levels of the identified skill set, with the prime emphasis on safety. These

are all developed through our powerful CAD system and to our very

accurate and exacting specifications.

- The Product

Snowflex® is a revolutionary snowsports product providing consumers the

opportunity to go skiing or snowboarding anywhere, whether it is the city or

country - at any time. 24/7!

This innovative surface provides skiing and snowboarding with qualities

closer to mountain snow than ever before, allowing customers’ unrivalled

access to the world’s most advanced snowsport technology.

Snowflex® has been specifically designed to replicate the performance

qualities of mountain snow. In the past, previous attempts have been made

at producing credible surfaces; however they have not been specifically

designed for the sport and have fundamental problems.

Snowflex® overcomes these problems and provides:

• Maximum forward speed

• Extra edge control for turning & control

• Shock absorption layer provides ultra cushioning for falls

• No holes or voids in the surface to get caught in

• No sharp edges/surface metal to cause abrasions or cuts

• Formability with the capability to create adventurous and interesting

terrain and stunt formations

Snowflex® more than outperforms every other alternative on the market,

demonstrated by the above qualities.

“This (Snowflex) is the most exciting surface for skiing and snowboarding to

emerge in the past 30 years. It is safer to ski on than other surfaces being

easier to move on and offers the same or greater levels of control.”

John Shedden - Director of Coaching, English Ski Council & Former British

Olympic Team Coach

In recent years indoor manufactured snow has become a popular

concept. However there are a number of drawbacks to “real snow”. First

and foremost these are namely the price and the quality of the

‘manufactured’ snow.

Snowflex® provides 5 credible and valuable advantages over indoor snow:

• Real cost savings – both initial build costs and operational costs.

• No piste grooming - manufactured snow needs to have a grooming

machine run up and down it to keep the snow in a condition which

can be skied on.

• Complex shapes and features can be produced - Snowflex® doesn’t

need grooming therefore it can have features built in to provide

making it an exciting user experience.

• It is softer to fall on - Soft landings make for happy customers and are

crucial to encourage repeat visits. Jumps and freestyle features then

become a safe and enjoyable experience.

• The outdoors feeling – Most customers believe that Skiing indoors is an

unnatural experience.

BritonMist System

Briton Engineering invented the use of mist systems on all-season slopes.

‘Briton Mist’ transforms the properties of slopes. Reduced friction means

greater speed and closer “snow like” qualities for skiing or snowboarding.

Reduced friction also means less damage to skis and boards which

undoubtedly other surfaces are prone to.

The system makes the optimum use of water by making sure there is a

scientifically evenly spread distribution. The water is also re-cycled.

Briton Lifts

As well as being the UK’s only ski lift manufacturer Briton Engineering

Developments are the sole approved UK agent for Doppelmayr, the world

renowned cable car and ropeway manufacturers. Our experience in this

field has been gained from over 180 installations worldwide.

Our range of lifts includes:

• Quad chairlift for main slope applications. More passenger comfort.

Up to 2400/hr.

• 'T' bar lift. Soft start, easy to use for main slope applications where a

higher capacity lift is needed. Up to 1200/hr.

• Button lift. Soft start, easy to use for main slope applications. Up to

800/hr.

• BritonButton lifts for shorter main slopes. Good in high winds. Low cost.

Up to 1000/hr.

• QueueDodger rope drag for nursery slope applications, high

capacity (1000/hr+), very simple to use, trains people for other types

of lift system. Lost cost system.

• Travellators for nursery slope applications, high capacity, easy to use

for disabled.

Key Projects to Date

Sheffield Ski Village

South Yorkshire

www.sheffieldskivillage.co.uk

Snowflex Terrain Park, inc. Moguls, half pipe, cornice, big air jump, and quarter

pipe. Nursery slope.

Halifax Snowsports centre

West Yorkshire

www.ridehalifax.com

Full Snowflex slope, inc. big air kicker, moguls, quarter pipe, fun box and counter

slope

Ski Rossendale

Lancashire

www.ski-rossendale.co.uk

Snowflex intermediate slope, inc. Two kickers, landing area / bowl. Nursery slope.

Quarter pipe.

Gloucester Ski & Snowboard Centre

Gloucestershire

www.gloucesterski.com

Snowflex Fun Park, two quarter pipes, fun box and jump. Nursery Slope

Calshot Activity Centre

Hampshire

www.calshot.com/snow.html

3 beginner / Intermediate Snowflex Slopes

Midlothian Snowsports Centre

Edinburgh, Scotland

www.midlothian.gov.uk/

Snowflex Fun park Inc Big Air jump

Kendal Ski Club

Cumbria

www.kendalski.co.uk/

Full Snowflex slope, 2 jumps Curving quarter pipe, Moguls and nursery slope

Key Projects (Continued)

Norfolk Ski Club

Norwich, Norfolk

www.norfolkskiclub.co.uk

Snowflex Fun Park inc. Moguls, kicker and quarter pipe

British Royal Marines Condor Base

Arbroath, Scotland

Full Snowflex slope.

British Royal Marines HMS Neptune, Faslane

Arbroath, Scotland

Full Snowflex slope. Nursery slope.

Bowles Outdoor Activity Centre

Tunbridge Wells, Sussex

www.bowles.ac/snowsports

Snowflex Nursery Slope

Bearsden Ski & Board Club

West of Scotland Snowsports Centre,

www.skibearsden.co.uk/

Snowflex Fun Park inc. kicker and quarter pipe

Glasgow Ski & Snowboard Centre

Bellahouston, Glasgow

http://www.ski-glasgow.org/

Snowflex® fun park inc. grind rails and quarter pipe

Warmwell Snowsports Centre

Dorchester, Dorset

www.parkdeanholidays.co.uk/warmwell-snowsports.htm

Snowflex Fun Park inc. kicker and quarter pipe

Overseas Projects

Søhøjlandet, Denmark

Winter Games, Beirut, Lebanon

Ocean Park, Hong Kong

E&M, Madrid, Spain

Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Lake Placid, NY, USA

Nœux Les Mines, France

Meseta ski, Valladolid, Spain

Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia, USA

History/Landmark Dates

• 1979 Briton Engineering Developments Ltd formed

• 1979 Launched the Briton Portable Lift to huge success worldwide - used in

Albertville, French Olympics 1992 and Nagano, Japanese Olympics 1998.

• Briton Portable Lift first featured on the BBC Tomorrows World programme. Over 400

units sold overall.

• 1984 Briton Engineering is awarded sole UK Agent for Doppelmayr, the world leader

in cable cars, ropeways and chairlifts.

• 1989 Briton plays a key role in the building of Nevis Range, Scotland, the UK’s most

prestigious ski resort.

• 1992 The Snowflex® concept is born. Reacting to the desperate need in the market

for a better ski surface.

• 1993 Snowflex® is recognised by the Department of Trade and Industry and Briton is

given backing for research, technology and development as a result of winning the

DTI’s SMART award.

• 1996 Snowflex® Featured on the BBC “Blue Peter” programme, and first installation

at Calshot Activity Centre, Hampshire

• 1996 Briton’s bespoke Snowflex® manufacturing line wins the DTI’s SPUR award.

• 1998 Briton move production to Scholes to increase Snowflex® production

potential.

• 2003 Installed Snowflex® for the British Royal Marines at RM Condor

• 2004 Major international marketing campaign launched. Network of international

sales agents appointed.

• Briton Engineering Developments supply their first international Snowflex® project to

Beirut

• 2005 Production premises expanded to cope with increased international sales

activity

• Jan 2006 Briton Engineering Developments undertake the refurbishment and

development of Europe’s largest Snowflex® slope in Nœux Les Mines, France

• February 2007 Briton Engineering Developments undertakes the new development

of Europe’s second largest Snowflex® slope at Meseta Ski, Valladolid, Spain.

• May 2007 Briton Engineering Developments undertakes improvements to main

slope at Ski Rossendale incorporating new quarter pipe.

• June 2007 Briton undertake commences the refurbishment of the existing slope at

HMS Neptune ski & snowboard club together with the addition of a new nursery

slope and QueueDodger® lift and refurbishment to the existing lift system to the

main slope.

• July 2007 Briton commence installation of the new fun park at Bellahouston

Snowsports Centre in Glasgow, Scotland

• June 2008 Briton secures the first major Snowflex® snowsports facility in the USA at

Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia

• October 2008 First shipments of materials are shipped to Virginia for the

programmed installation early 2009.

• August 2009 Briton awarded phase 2 by Liberty University

FAQ’s: Q. How much does Snowflex® cost?

A. It really does depend on the design of the slope and the features to be built, but as

a guide it is comparable with technologically inferior mesh materials on the market.

Q. Can we buy it by the square metre?

A. Briton Engineering Developments price each contract individually- This can be

broken down to a sq metre price based on design, location, quantity and terrain.

We will always include transport and installation.

Q. Can we install it ourselves?

A. Snowflex® is a sophisticated and technologically advanced surface system and

the overall project quality is as important to us as it is to our clients. Our highly

experienced installation teams aim to do a first class job. We are happy to discuss

utilising your own labour within our teams to lower costs if this is an issue.

Q. Why has Snowflex® a reputation for being faster than any other materials?

A. Snowflex® is manufactured from an extruded monofilament fibre to exacting

standards that no-one else the industry works to, and as a continuous surface

spreads the weight over the full base of the ski / snowboard. Snowflex® also has an

integral misting system and an open pile which will not trap dirt causing the slope to

dry and slow down.

Q. Why does it “edge” any better than any other material?

A. Because it uses a strong, round section, extruded monofilament, which has even

distribution of the pile along the ski edge. It is dynamic and progressive, designed

to be slippy at low edge set (like snow), but then biting harder as more force /angle

is applied.

Q. How long does it last?

A. Depending on usage it can last anywhere between 5 and 10 years. Snowflex®

fibres are well proven as the hardest wearing fibre that has been used in synthetic

surfaces materials.

Q. How much must we do at once?

A. You do not need to do a full slope in one go if you do not want to. On the other

hand it is not advisable to do a few metres at a time. We suggest that distinct

features or zones are selected, say a jump, or a pipe, or in the case of nursery

slopes – per lane.

Q Can worn patches be replaced?

A. Only worn areas needs to be cut out - virtually any shape or size. Whole tiles do not

necessarily need removing and replacing.

Q Can we have demarcation lines in Snowflex®?

A. Yes. On a white slope we would use green Snowflex® and on a green slope we

would use normal white Snowflex®.

Q Can we use slalom poles on Snowflex®?

A. Yes. Please ask for details.

Q Can Snowflex® be installed and used in hot climates?

A. Yes, we have tested Snowflex® in the Middle East. Customers have ridden on

Snowflex® in temperatures of over 32°C = 90°F

Q. Can you ski or snowboard on Snowflex® if it is covered with snow?

A. Snowflex® can be used on slopes that may experience snowfall or frosts in

wintertime without any detrimental effect. Skiers & snowboarders are able to use

the slope as normal in such conditions.

Q. Can you ski or snowboard on Snowflex® if it is covered with frost?

A. Should there be frost or ice form on a Snowflex® slope then this should not prove to

be a problem for snowsporters using the slope. Frost or ice that forms should not be

solid as the fibres of Snowflex® ensure that such precipitation, in reality, is broken up

and relatively weak. Skis or snowboard edges further break up the precipitation

when used.

Q. What happens to the BritonMist system if there has been a heavy frost of snow?

A. The BritonMist ® system (as part of the Snowflex® system) is insulated against frost,

snow & ice by the integral shock absorption layer to help prevent pipes bursting.

The BritonMist system is also installed in such a manner that surplus water in pipes

can be drained down into the water tank at the end of everyday if need be, again

reducing the potential for this happening.

Q. Does Snowflex® cause undue wear to skis and boards?

A. All synthetic materials will wear equipment more than snow, but Snowflex® is much

friendlier than other materials. Skis & snowboards will do many runs on Snowflex®

provided the mist system is maintained and running properly.

Q. What are the best features to include on a Snowflex® slope?

A. Basically it is up to you and the budget. Generally any “fall areas” are the most

important – nursery slopes being the most obvious. Using Snowflex® in these areas

will increase repeat business for both skis and boards. Freestyle features are another

popular choice because this generates new business – particularly if you wish to

target snowboarding.

Q. What sort of electrical power do I need to run a Snowflex® slope?

A. It really does depend on the design of the slope but as a general “rule of thumb”

you will need:

1 x 30Kw for each Button lift on a main slope

1 x 3Kw for each QueueDodger® on a nursery slope

1 x 5Kw for the BritonMist® system

1 x 0.5Kw for each floodlight fitted

Q. What is water consumption like using the BritonMist lubrication system?

A. The system is ordinarily designed and set to mist the slope for 2 minutes every 4

minutes. This can however be overridden either automatically or manually if need

be. A 7500sqm slope will typically use 200 litres of water per minute. In dry, windy

conditions 70% of the water used can be re-cycled.

Q. If I was to build a Snowflex® Urban Snowsports Centre how much land would I

need?

A. As a general rule you would need approx 5 to 6 times the size of the slope to allow

for constructing a lodge complete with sufficient parking and supporting

infrastructure.

For example a 10,000sqm slope would need a 60,000sqm land footprint (6

hectares)

1 acre = 4 046 square meters

1 hectare = 2.47 acres

Contact Details

Head Office & Manufacturing Unit Address Briton Engineering Developments Ltd

Lee Mills,

Scholes,

Holmfirth,

West Yorkshire

HD9 1RT

PHONE: 00 44 (0)1484 689933

FAX: 00 44 (0)1484 689944

WEBPAGE www.snowflex.com

All press enquiries to: info@snowflex.com