The slippery slope of success
BEFORE the creation of Snowflex, practising your angulation and anticipation on an artificial ski slope presented the very real danger of serious injury – or even death.
Despite the absence of some of the more usual hazards associated with skiing such as avalanches and hidden debris, skiers were at risk from the metal mesh used to create the surface itself. So much so, that amateur and professionals alike gave it a nickname – death mesh.
It took the patience and design capabilities of engineer and skiing enthusiast Brian Thomas to create an alternative that not only proved safer but much more snow like.
Today, Holmfirth-based Briton Engineering is considered a world leader in the fast growing world of urban snow sport centres boasting an impressive portfolio of global projects in Hong Kong, France, Brazil, Chile, Texas as well numerous closer to home in the UK.
Snowflex's success can be directly attributed to its remarkable imitation of snow. Slippy and grippy – two of the white wet stuff's essential if opposing qualities – skiers and boarders from the “nervous to the extreme” can plough and jump with little limitation.
The desireable likeness is achieved through a misting system that lies on top of a mesh mat brush surface in turn lubricating the slopes. The revolutionary system made its debut on children's programme Blue Peter in 1996 before being transported to Calshot Spit in Hampshire. The rest as the say is history.
But Snowflex is just one element of Briton Engineering's success story. As Terry Di Stasi, the firm's business development director, explains.
“We're not just a surface manufacturer. We are involved in the design, build and installation of urban snow centres through the consultancy service we offer.
“It's a complex process affected by location, geography and budget. It can mean the creation of a slope where there are no natural inclines, or the shaping of one. You've got to create a slope that is safe and works for everyone.”
It's this type of terrain re-engineering that award winning Briton has become famous for. The firm's services are currently being engaged by the project management team behind Bearfire ski resort in Fort Worth near Dallas, Texas. When finished the 100,000sq meter world class snow and ski resort will be classed as one of the world's largest buildings.
“It will be the biggest concrete and steel construction site in the world, or so the project managers tell me,” laughs Di Stasi.
“It's also technically challenging as they're having to create a mountain from nothing.”
According to Di Stasi, it's in the hotel sector that the urban snow centre is enjoying its greatest growth.
“Hotels are wanting to offer something different in their list of leisure facilities. As a result we are involved in a number of projects all over the world.”
But for the firm's employees, many of whom are skiers or snowboarders, the satisfaction of creating slopes that offer safe fun for skiers of all abilities and ages, is evident.
“Now people can enjoy skiing 365 days of the year, not just a week before they head off to the slopes,” says Di Stasi.
Name: Briton Engineering
Location: Holmfirth
Company turnover: Non-disclosed
Number of employees: 40 upwards depending on project commitments
Founder: Brian Thomas
