Learning outside of the classroom is a valuable and effective way for pupils to achieve new skills and experiences.
Here at Snow Factor we understand the importance of making learning fun, while supporting children in a more healthy and active lifestyle. We offer a tailored programme of activities delivered by our experience and enthusiastic staff, young people will learn new skills in a fun environment.
We offer many products to suit your school or groups needs including lessons, recreational slope passes, sledging, and soon to be announced Ice Wall. You can also include food, clothing hire and gloves at a discounted price.
Kids (S3 aged 14) were greeted, kitted and briefed in 20 minutes. They really enjoyed their lessons with Malcolm and Rab. They progressed really well and by the end of the two consecutive evening sessions most were hurling themselves off the very top of the slope with abandon and lack of fear! Well done the instructors! School parties get a good discount and for what we paid was really good value for money.
– Trip Advisor May 2018
Ski and snowboard lesson are now included in the Curriculum for Excellence. You can download more information on the Curriculum for Excellence here.
Who are we?
Snow Factor is Scotland’s only indoor real snow slope and leading centre for ski and snowboard instruction.
Open 364 days a year, our students learn in the perfect environment to progress their skills – no wind, no rain and smaller classes ensure that they have fun and stay safe.
All of our instructors have internationally recognised qualifications, so you can rest assured that your pupils will be tutored by the very best in the business.
Located within Soar INTU Braehead, we are within 10 minutes’ drive from Glasgow City Centre and 20 minutes from Erksine Bridge, Snow Factor is the ideal destination for a learning adventure.
Snow Factor are winners of the Best Family Day Out Award 2016 at the Scottish Entertainment Awards.
What our Customers Say
“The planning, booking and service we received all went very smoothly and the price per head was really reasonable. Thanks to all the team for making it a great experience for all the children (and the parent helpers)! Looking forward to coming back again next year“
Valerie Wood, Cramond Primary School
“The dads absolutely loved the experience and would happily come back. In our group we have 2 children with Autism who present very challenging behaviour and the staff member on the day who instructed us took this well within his stride. The children all had a fantastic time and in large this was down to the instructor’s ability to acknowledge the challenging behaviour and adapt to it rather than attempt to shut it down which is often the case. The staff in the bar serving the drinks were also very welcoming and went out of their way to ensure that everybody was well looked after. The team all deserve a pat on the back and please let them know of our appreciation.”
Ryan Warren, Home Start Glasgow South
“We enjoyed our visit, high praise to the whole team there who made it stress free and enjoyable for all students.”
Mr Williams from Moffat Academy
“Please pass on our thanks and appreciation to all of the team at Snow Factor for facilitating such a great fun filled and memorable night, everyone in our party classed it as a major success. This is definitely something that we will recommend to other projects and project teams working in the area in the future.”
Ian, Honeywell UK
What we offer
With prices starting from only £9 per head, your school activity day out doesn’t get any more exciting than this.
Uninstructed Activities
Sledging – 3 yrs+
Sledging on real snow is the perfect activity for younger children – no skills necessary.
23776504 – teenage girl and boy skiing
Instructed Activities
* All instructed activities are 960 minutes for 7- 12 yrs, 120 minutes for 13yrs+.
Ice Climbing – 12 yrs+
The giant indoor ice climbing walls feature a wide range of ice climbs – for schools and youth groups we provide beginner sessions to give your pupils a taster on the ice.
Ski or Snowboard Lesson
Our lessons are tailored to ensure you get the most out of you time spent with us and have you mountain ready in no time.
Recreational Slope Time
For those who can already ski and snowboard.
Typical Day Package
Full Day Package:
10:30 – Arrive
11:00 – Instructed Activity or Slope Time.
Choose one from
- Ice Climbing (12 yrs+ )
- Ski / Snowboard Lesson
- Slope Time (Recreational standard ski/ snowboarders)
12:45– Lunch
13:30 – Non-instructed Activity
14:30 – Hot Chocolate and biscuit
Call 0141 885 7081 to discuss day package options with our team
Your Instructors
Chris
Disciplines:
Ski, Snowboard, Ski Racing, Ice Climbing
I learned to ski on a hill on the farm my dad lived at when I was a child. So I guess you could say my start to skiing was somewhat rural!
I furthered my ski education in the Scottish resorts with a local Adventure Club, who both asked me to return as an assistant and inspired me to become involved in the industry as a career. This was when I decided that I wanted to become an outdoor sports instructor and later to focus on snowsports. To accomplish this, I completed 7 seasons at Cairngorm before a spell teaching on the dry slope and eventually coming to work with Snow Factor.
The sense of freedom you get from skiing is addictive, it is the most amazing feeling sliding down on good snow and great scenery. It’s moments like these in which you forget everything else, it’s a sense of escape from the real world for a little while.
Seeing the expression in peoples faces change from anxious or fear to excitement and joy makes every day worth it. I love seeing them get that feeling of freedom and escape that comes with snowsports and then they’re hooked on skiing, just like the rest of us.
Working in Snow Factor is where I learned more about skiing and snowboarding for both personal performance and teaching. It’s a unique place with a controlled environment combining perfect snow conditions without the unpredictable Scottish weather to compete with. You couldn’t ask for better conditions to hone your technique before hitting the mountains.
Qualifications & Experience
- Alpine Ski Leader – Snowsport Scotland
- Artificial Ski Instructor Course – Snowsport Scotland
- BASI Level 2 Ski Instructor
What Chris’ students said about his lessons on Trip Advisor
“Moguls Coached session with Dylan, Nick and Chris were excellent lots of tints and tips. The session lasted 2 hours I was in a group none of us had a lesson in moguls before good constructive individual feedback.”
Find Out MoreKate
Disciplines:
Ski, Snowboard, Freestyle Ski, Ice Climbing
When I was younger I lived in Switzerland so I learned to ski on the Swiss slopes. After moving back to bonnie Scotland, I attended every school ski trip on offer.
Find Out MoreRoss
Disciplines:
Ski, Snowboard, Freestyle Ski, Ski Racing, Ice Climbing
After learning to ski and board on the hill I quickly came to realise it was something I loved to do.
I’ve been lucky enough to carve out a career as a ski and board instructor before expanding my skill base as an Ice Climbing instructor and Race Coaching for Snow Factor Racing.
Having taken a job with the company 8 years ago as Slope Team Leader and progressed through my teaching qualifications with Snow Factor I’ve now gained my BASI 1 Ski & Snowboard qualifications in addition to my UKCP Ski Freestyle and Race Coaching qualifications too.
It’s great to progress through a company and have them invest in your development, especially when it allows you to do what you love for a living. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else!
Qualifications & Experience
- BASI Level 1 Ski
- BASI Level 1 Snowboard
- UKCP Ski Freestyle Coaching
- UKCP Race Coaching
- Ice Climbing Instructor
Find Out More
