Snowsport fans at Chill Factore – the North West’s first real snow indoor Alpine Village, at Trafford, Manchester – will have the unique opportunity to preview and try out the latest Salomon skis before they reach the shops. Salomon has signed an agreement to operate its first and only UK Test Centre from the £31m development, which is due to open in November.

Andrew Lockerbie, Chill Factore’s Operations Director, said: “This is another amazing coup for Chill Factore – four months before it even opens to the public. The fact that an outstanding and respected brand like Salomon has chosen our venue as the location for its only UK Test Centre is testament to the quality of our snow-side offer – from the snow itself to the calibre of the instructors”.

“Coming just weeks after the announcement that the British Disabled Ski Team have selected Chill Factore as the UK location for their group training programme ahead of the 2010 Vancouver Paralympics, this will further enhance our reputation as the country’s snowsports Centre of Excellence.”

Sonia Prior, General Manager of Salomon, said: “The opening of our first UK Test Centre is a very exciting new venture for Salomon – and also for the users of Chill Factore who will have the opportunity to try out the latest equipment, enabling consumers to test the product on snow, before they decide to buy.”

Chill Factore’s snow experience – which features the world’s widest real snow indoor ski slope (180m long and 100m wide) – includes three separate but inter-connected real snow slopes, catering for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities, plus a cresta-inspired toboggan run, and a separate children’s snow-play world offering a unique year-round opportunity to experience snow and adventure play.

www.chillfactore.com