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On Sunday we headed to the Chill Factore in Manchester to review the new snow park and their Santa’s Grotto. Find out all about this great family day out below. We were given admission in exchange for this review. Chill factore is an indoor snow centre in Manchester. As well as skiing and snowboarding on a large indoor real snow slope, there is also a snow park and mini moose land area for children to enjoy snow play.
Chill factore
We’ve never been to the Chill factore before so we didn’t really know what to expect. Inside the main entrance is a lot different from what I imagined. It’s almost like a shopping centre combined with a French alps chalet. There are numerous shops, bars and cafes. We loved the large viewing windows through which we could see the snow slopes.
The centre is decorated beautifully for Christmas. We also loved the big Christmas tree all lit up.
Santa’s grotto at Chill factore
We joined the queue for the Santa’s grotto ticket desk where a friendly elf printed out our online booking and pointed us in the direction of the clothing hire area. It’s worth noting that the website says to get your clothing hire after visiting Santa however on the day we were advised to do it beforehand. I think it would have been fine either way but remember the queue for Santa is indoors. You’ll only be out in the snow area for about 5 minutes whilst in the grotto. Definitely don’t collect your helmet until afterwards.
Father Christmas at Chill factore
Once we were kitted out in snow gear we joined the queue for Santa’s Grotto. My husband stood in line whilst I took our two girls in the craft area alongside the queue.
There are a number of kid’s tables and chairs with Christmas colouring sheets and mini crafting kits for making cards. There are also a few bouncy reindeer toys for little ones to sit on in this area.
We found the art supplies were well stocked up by a friendly elf who was supervising the area. Note this isn’t an organised activity as such but more as a distraction from the kids having to stand in the queue for Santa. It’s worth noting that we queued for about 45 minutes here. It might be worth 1 parent getting inline as soon as possible to minimise the time spent hanging around.
Once we go to the front of the queue another friendly elf entertained our girls for a few minutes before letting us in and out on into the snow. We followed a short path to Santa’s grotto where another elf greeted us and led us into a room where Father Christmas was waiting for us.
The grotto is very traditionally decorated and Father Christmas was lovely. My girls had been so excited to meet him but as soon as we entered the room and he started talking to them they became very shy.
He was great with the kids though and eventually managed to get out of them what they wanted for Christmas. He also managed to get them to sit next to him to have their photo taken which was available to purchase afterwards. Then Santa gave them each a present (the 3 plus girls present was a Barbie style doll and my eldest daughter got a jewellery bead kit). They were both made up with their gifts.
Overall we loved the Santa’s Grotto experience. It reminded me of the grottoes from my own childhood. I still remember going to the local garden centre, the excitement of waiting in line to see Santa and those few minutes talking to him that seemed to be over in a blink of an eye and of course the gift.
After the grotto visit, we collected our helmets and went out into the snow park. Our 3 year old was suitable for the mini moose land and our 6 year old for the new snow park. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Myself and my husband took it in turns to be with each child so we both got to go on the slides etc in the snow park.
Mini Moose land, Chill factore review
Mini moose land is for under 4s. It’s the ideal place for them to experience snow for the first time. Our 3 year old has experienced snow a couple of times but is by no means familiar with it. She enjoyed picking up the snow, she did try to eat it a few times too.
In mini moose land there are a few mini donut ramps (suitable for 2-3 year olds) where toddlers can slide down them in a rubber ring. She loved this bit. There are also a good amount of other toys such as plastic sea saws, rubber bouncy reindeer, Soft play like reindeers that wobble over and a large igloo made of soft bricks. My daughter loved hiding in the igloo. The igloo soon got knocked down but was rebuilt by some parents.
Chill factore Snow park review
The snow park is right next to mini moose land and the entrance/exit to the changing village. The snow park is suitable for children 4 years and older. There is an ice slide, sledging and donut slides.
The donut slides were my daughters favourite. There were donuts for her to go in on her own and some 2 person ones too. We never had any problem getting a donut, there is a large supply.
Simply collect a donut and climb up the hill. There is a travelator but this didn’t seem to be working very often on the day we visited. It didn’t matter though, it isn’t too much of a long or steep climb and the slides more than made up for it.
As well as the donut slides, we also enjoyed the sledges. Again there is a very good supply of sledges to choose. There are some two-person and lots of 1 person sledges. The sledging hill is great fun and it was such a shame our youngest was too young to experience it.
Clothing hire
You can choose to wear your ski wear if you have them or hire it at Chill factore. Clothing is hired in the changing village and a wide range of sizes are stocked.
Gloves are compulsory and can’t be hired (but can be purchased on the day). Helmets are compulsory for under 17s and for anyone over 17 who is going on the snow park. These are free to hire and are stocked in a wide range of sizes, simply pick up yours from the racks before entering the snow park. These are the current clothing hire prices (correct November 2019).
- Jacket or trousers – £5
- Jacket and trousers – £8
- Snow boots £3.50
Our verdict
Overall we loved our time at the Chill factore. Father Christmases grotto was lovely and traditional with a really unique twist of combining it with time in real snow. The new snow park is fantastic fun for children over 4 years old. The sledges and donut slides are great fun for children and adults a like.
Our top tips
- Sant and snow park starts at £25. Santa and mini moose land starts from £9.50. Find out more and book here – The Snow Centre Manchester | The Snow Centre
- Arrive early, expect to queue to see Father Christmas and get one parent in the queue early. The queues are long, as Father Christmas spends time with each family. At no point did we feel we were being rushed through.
- Keep costs down by using your own waterproofs, clean wellies or walking boots.
- Dress for the cold. It’s -4c in the chill factore. We wore thermal base layers, trousers, tops and jumpers followed by ski trousers and jackets. Thick socks are good too. Don’t forget your gloves which are compulsory and can’t be hired but can be purchased for £6.
- Pick up your helmets after visiting Santa.
- Lockers can be hired for a returnable £1 in the changing village. We popped back to the changing village after seeing Santa and put the girls presents in the locker.
- If you have an under 4 and over 4 year old like us, it’s very easy to take it in turns so that both adults get to go on the slides and sledging.
- Chill factor is a Blue Peter badge attraction where kids can go free. Find out more here – Blue Peter badge attractions North West
Where to next?
Why not find out more about all the great Christmas events on in the North West this Christmas here. If you are specifically looking for events local to Manchester, then this is the post for you – Christmas events Manchester
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Disclosure – We were given family tickets to see Santa and enjoy the snow park as well as clothing hire in exchange for this review. All thoughts, opinions and photos are my own.