The UK’s longest indoor snow slope, Chill Factore in Manchester, was the scene of another world record on Tuesday (15 December 2020). Snowsports instructor Callum Mackenzie completed his attempt at recording the ‘Greatest Vertical Distance Skied Up and Downhill in 24 Hours (indoors)’ which saw the 26 year-old having to climb up the 180m indoor slope 200 times, totalling a vertical height of 12km.
WAY DOWN: Callum starts another descent
For the purposes of this world record, Callum could not use the ski lifts or any form of assisted skiing. He was permitted to wear skis when he was climbing back up the slope at all times. To do this, Callum used a special type of skinned ski and heel lifts to ensure he didn’t slip. In total, Callum was on the snow for a total of 22 hours, only taking a five-minute break for every hour he skied.
Setting the complex world record required immense preparation, both for Callum and for the Guinness World Records team. Throughout the duration of the challenge, Callum was monitored by both a group of adjudicators and a highly accurate professional GPS tracking device. For the final distance figure to be valid, the adjudicators precisely measured the altitude of the starting and finishing point of each run. This data was then cross referenced by the adjudicator’s logbook and GPS traffic to verify the final figure.
GET PACKING: Callum gets a helping hand with his skis
Despite being a seasoned skier and a Chill Factore instructor for three and a half years, the world record attempt required months of intense preparation. Callum had been training for the 24-hour endurance challenge since the first lockdown, sticking to a punishing daily routine, which included runs, walks, cycling and home flexibility and strength workouts.
Callum said: “The challenge was definitely a lot harder than I expected, both physically and mentally. I was a little bit naive going into it but I got there in the end and I’m just so happy to end 2020 on a high!
“I would like to thanks Chill Factore for supporting me and allowing me to do the record here. In the future I’d love to take on a couple more records in this slope – if I do, I’d like to do them for charity, specifically DSUK (Disability Snowsport UK), to raise money and awareness for adaptive skiing.”
BREAK TIME: Callum takes a short but well earned rest on his way to making a world record
Chill Factore CEO, Morwenna Angove, said: “Callum’s World Record is nothing short of incredible. It’s something that all skiers, whether you’re a professional or amateur, can appreciate. This is the second time an individual member of our team has brought home a Guinness World Record, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the fact that the Chill Factore is open once again than with today’s achievement. If you feel inspired by Callum, come on down and experience the home of real snow this winter!”
To see a video of the world record attempt on the Chill Factore Facebook page CLICK HERE
The Chill Factore is now open following lockdown.
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Categories: Club & Slope News, News