The Gravel Rally Snowdonoa
THE GRAVEL RALLY: SNOWDONIA
We were incredibly honoured to play host to those taking part in the Gravel Rally across the weekend, where riders pushed their limits on an 80-mile course through the dense forests and up the steep, mountainside ascents of Snowdonia over six different timed stages. Rewarding the ultimate all-round cyclist who can take on this intimidating combination of technical riding, dizzying downhill speeds and challenging climbs, The Gravel Rally is an all-new event from the outdoor enthusiasts behind The Pan Celtic Ultra.
Paying homage to our legendary lands that have seen many motor rally events roar through forest and valley, the Gravel Rally will see riders climb over 10,000ft and allow them to have exclusive access to some of Snowdonia’s most stunning secret spots. Starting and finishing at the parc, the total route boasts an impressive 14 sectors which are covered in detail in the event’s Tulip Guide. Six of these leg-shredding sectors are timed, ultimately championing the most versatile rider with the most resilient quads!
The event isn’t completely about being pushed to your vein-popping limits - it also offers 8 transition sectors where riders can admire the breathtaking beauty that Snowdonia is known for.
Particular route highlights include:
- Llyn Cowlyd, one of our sustainable water sources for the lagoon and the deepest lake in North Wales. - Picture-perfect panoramas of the Snowdon Massif and Glyderau
- Scenic stretches along the Lledr Valley Trail
- A crossing of the famous Pont y Pair bridge in beautiful Betws-Y-Coed, the heart of Snowdonia National Park.
- The legendary Marin MTB circuit
- Llyn Crafnant, a three-quarters of a mile long lake and beloved local leisure spot.
- A post-event soak in one of the heated vitality pools at our Wave Garden Spa.
While this event was limited to 100 riders and sold out almost straight away, we can’t wait to see how it develops and takes shape over time. The atmosphere across the parc is already one of excitement and anticipation for the next edition.
To all those that too part this weekend - llongyfarchiadau
Inspiring Young Lives at Adventure Parc Snowdonia
Inspiring Young Lives: Welcoming Wigan youth Zone
A Wigan-based charity that supports and inspires young people to navigate their way through personal challenges were complementary guests at Adventure Parc Snowdonia, in Conwy recently thanks to Chairman, Martin Ainscough CBE.
Wigan Youth Zone (WYZ) opened its doors to young people aged between eight and nineteen years old in 2013 and has provided first-class facilities at its purpose-built centre at Mesnes Field in Wigan town centre, to hundreds of young people.
In May, thirty children, accompanied by their guardians, spent a weekend at Adventure Parc Snowdonia and took part in confidence building activities such as surfing in a natural 300-metre lagoon, whizzing zip wires and indoor Ninja Assault and Slides course all nestled in lush green Conwy Valley in the foothills of the mountains of Snowdonia. The group stayed overnight in the parc’s woodland camping pods before heading back to Wigan the following day.
Twelve-year old, Emily from the WYZ said, “Thank you for a once in a lifetime experience. I have never done anything so awesome and daring and this is an experience I will never forget.”
Sikander Ali, Youth Work Manager at WYZ said: “The patience and attitude of the staff was phenomenal. All the instructors were constantly encouraging our young people and motivating them. Amazing experience.”
A word from our Chairman
Martin Ainscough, Chairman, and owner of APS, said, “To be able to extend a vital experience to the young people at Wigan Youth Zone at somewhere like Adventure Parc Snowdonia, is an honour. We opened the doors, to what is now known as one of the UK’s premier destinations in 2015 and it not only provides people with fun, but also essential life skills.”
2023 Surf Memberships are back! #surfmore
SURF Membership
Up your wave count and #surfmore in Snowdonia with our 2023 surf memberships! Giving you 30% off your next 20 'Just Surf' sessions in 2023!
People and sense of community are what makes sharing our waves so enjoyable for us here is Snowdonia. We hope to see many of our friends and locals returning to #SurfMore and up your wave count. One way we hope to make this a little easier is through our 2023 surf memberships. Whether you're a local or travel to the remarkable location we call home in the hunt for waves and good times, we look forward to seeing you spend longer in the lineup!
2023 Surf Loyalty Membership - £75
- 30% Discount on Advanced, Intermediate 2 and Intermediate 1 Waves
- 20% discount on APS/Surf Snowdonia branded clothing items
- Applicable up to 20 bookings per membership
PLEASE NOTE THAT SURF MEMBERSHIPS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE
BUY NOW
Winter Breaks In Snowdonia
Winter Breaks In SnowdoniaStay Explore Relax at Adventure Parc Snowdonia
Welcoming you to Snowdonia this winter
Staying active and getting outdoors during winter is essential for our wellbeing. Exposure to daylight regulates our circadian rhythms and raises serotonin levels, in turn bolstering our immune systems and lifting our overall mood. Despite it being the wettest and coldest season of the year, winter in Snowdonia is an enchanting experience of clear, starry night skies, rushing waterfalls and cosy accommodation and brilliant hospitality. Nestled in the perfect spot for exploring everything that Snowdonia has to offer.
Our very own Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia is ideally placed for exploring the entirety of the Conwy Valley and the endless natural attractions of the National Park. With comfortable, contemporary interiors designed around our passion for adventure and surfing, the hotel is also home to Zephyr’s Bar & Grill with linked access to the spa.
There’re a range of rooms available, designed with families, couples and friends in mind. You can also bring your dog along, as our entire site is dog-friendly and there are a number of rooms reserved for those travelling with their four-legged friend. Rooms offer views of the stunning woodland that surrounds us as well as the sparkling surf lagoon below.
With mesmerising moody mountains, quiet clusters of slate-roofed villages and serene lakes like glass, Snowdonia is a place of wonder whatever the season. During winter, climbers take to the crags of the Snowdon massif, dark-sky photographers await the appearance of the milky way and confident cold water swimmers take bracing dips in the many llyns nestled between the mountains; in short, winter in Snowdonia is all about embracing the elements.
You don’t have to be an extreme explorer to enjoy the outdoors during winter, as there’s lots of local walks and landmarks nearby to visit. We’ve explored a few of our favourite walks for you to enjoy whilst staying with us.
We appreciate that rain during winter in Wales is pretty much a given, which is why we specialise in providing an indoor adrenaline fix that can go ahead whatever the weather. With extreme slides, a ninja assault course, adventure climbing walls and a via ferrata inspired high ropes course, we’ve got plenty of activities on offer that will push you to your limits and make for some fun competition between friends.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our captivating corner of North Wales. To book your Snowdonia break, get in touch with us today by calling 01492 353 353 or checking our availability online.
Welcoming Boardmasters to Snowdonia
Welcoming BoardmastersPOOL PARTY IN SNOWDONIA
We were recently lucky enough to host something seriously special on the lagoon here at Surf Snowdonia, involving some of our friends from the team behind Boardmasters!
Bringing some of their best-loved locals along with them, the team visited us a few weeks ago to shoot the video for their first wave line-up announcement. Festivals are something that we certainly don’t take for granted after the last 18 months, which is why we were all the more excited to get involved with this project.
We were honoured to have professional surfers Luke Dillon, Tassy Swallow and Lukas Skinner in the water, each of them taking full-advantage of our free surf sessions and experiencing our all-new surf stay packages for themselves. This creative collaboration with Boardmasters is one that we’re really excited about, and we hope to see more of our friends from the south west in the future.
Go Behind the Lens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXaJ3BrEDpk
Boardmasters will take place from the 10th-14th August 2022 in Newquay, Cornwall. Acts including Kings of Leon and Disclosure will perform in the main arena in Watergate Bay and the Boardmasters Open Surf Competition will take place at Fistral beach. You can purchase tickets on their website, here.
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An Autumn Escape
An Autumnal EscapeSeasonal highlights in Snowdonia
Autumn in Wales is an awe-inspiring event that everyone should bear witness to at least once in their lifetime. Changing leaves turn the landscape into a kaleidoscopic quilt of stunning colours, darker skies reveal sparkling stars above and a fresh chill in the air is guaranteed to awaken your sense of adventure. Waterfalls surge, lakes rise and sprawling moorlands turn to shades of amber and ochre beneath crisp blue skies. Clouds roll in and cast moody shadows over the mountains, driving a refreshing rain across the valleys and sending adventurers indoors for the warmth of an open fire and the comfort of butter-smothered Welsh-cakes.
In the midst of it all, seasoned surfers glide effortlessly atop the waters of our wave pool, friends and family members challenge each other on our adrenaline-fuelled indoor assault course and spa-goers recline in comforting pools of bubbling warm water. Autumn here onsite at Adventure Parc Snowdonia offers a certain type of experience for everyone, whether it's retreating indoors to the cosy comforts of your hotel room with a good book, savouring the stomach-dropping sensation of our extreme slides or standing up for the first time on a surfboard. With staycations set to continue into the new year, we invite you to embark on the ultimate autumn escape, right here in our captivating corner of North Wales.
Soak up the scenery
For us, autumn is a captivating contrast of hot and cold. Cool, crisp blue skies above fallen leaves of red, amber and orange; the chill of the great outdoors followed by the comfort of a roaring fire and the call of cold water waves alongside heated hydrotherapy pools. This combination is what our Wave Garden Spa experience is all about. Follow our thermal journey through the steam room, Himalayan salt sauna, and jacuzzis, replenish and restore aching muscles with a treatment or simply soak up the serenity and scenery that surrounds you.
Surf longer for less...
Whether you’re finetuning
your stance, practicing your pop-up or just looking for clean, uncrowded
conditions, our surf membership scheme provides the ideal excuse for a return
trip to Snowdonia. Running throughout autumn and into winter, you’ll only pay a
£10 membership fee to enjoy 25% off your next 10 ‘just surf’ sessions. Designed
with cool autumn conditions in mind, you’ll also get a reusable keepcup which is
ideal for a warming post-surf ‘paned.’ Alternatively, if travel restrictions have got you
swapping your usual sub-tropical surf trip for salty shores closer to home, you
can take advantage of our SURF | STAY package designed with progression and wavecount in
mind.
Experience stargazing in Snowdonia
A recognised International
Dark Sky Reserve, Snowdonia itself transforms into one big outdoor observation
centre as the nights begin to draw in during autumn. Perfect for adding some
wonder to your short break in Wales, there is plenty of opportunity for
stargazing and dark sky photography. For more information about the best spots
to seek out captivating constellations and even occasionally the Northern
Lights, follow @visitwales on Instagram.
Admire the Autumn landscapes at bodnant gardens
To witness autumn truly awaken, you can choose to visit the nearby National Trust location of Bodnant Garden. Based just six miles away from our Adventure Parc, this world-famous garden is sure to put you in a spellbinding state of botanical bliss. At over 80 acres, the terrain of the garden shifts between ambling, undulating meadow through to enchanting riverside dells and perfectly polished terraces. A delight for all of the senses, the garden is even home to Katsura Trees, which give off the delicious scent of caramel as their leaves turn from copper-tinged green to red.
hIT THE TRAILS IN THE MAGNIFICENT GWYDIR FOREST
Ideal for lovers of alpine air and adventure, our local mountain bike trails at Gwydir Forest offers some impressive descents and unparalleled views across the Conwy Valley. Located only 10 miles from us, Gwydir offers 25km of snaking, stony single-track combined with unforgettable open stretches of Snowdonia scenery. An exhilarating activity that is sure to spark your appetite, we recommend heading back to base afterwards to hose your bike down at our bike wash and tuck into a fresh, wood-fired pizza served in the Surfside Bar & Kitchen.
Stay Explore relax in the heart of north wales
The ideal autumn destination for both awe-inspiring adventure and family-friendly weatherproof activities, Adventure Parc Snowdonia is the perfect place to stay, explore and relax. With a spa, adventure parc and all-new Hilton Garden Inn based onsite, you’ll be able to experience the very best that Wales has to offer right from your doorstep.
Plan your autumn escape today...
Launching Surfline Sessions in Snowdonia!
Surf. Relive. ShareLaunching Surfline Sessions in Snowdonia
We are super stoked to have teamed up with the good people from Surfline and Magicseaweed to bring you the latest technology to film your surf!
Welcome to Surfline Sessions! With 3 cameras currently positioned around the lagoon it is now easier than ever to watch you waves and improve your surfing. Hit the button to read more and keep a look out for upcoming our upcoming #wipeoutwednesday and #waveofthewinter series!
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Surf Club Competition | Adventure Parc Snowdonia
Local surf club competitionWrapping up an awesome event in Snowdonia for our local surf team Syrffio Dyfryn Conwy
On Sunday we were super stoked to host our local surf club, Clwb Syrffio Dyffryn Conwy, and Pen Llyn’s surf club, Clwb Syrffio Llyn for the first on-site surf competition since 2020.
The buzz of excitement and community around the lagoon was one we’ll be savouring for a long time to come thanks to all the young surfers and eager spectators who came along and made it the spectacular morning it was!
Here’s how it all went down…
At 7:30 surfboards were being waxed and excitement was already building around the lagoon as young surfers from both North Wales based surf clubs braved the crisp, Autumn morning and were eagerly preparing to get out on the waves to compete in a number of heats for the opportunity to take home a memorable team victory.
As 8:00 neared, competitors climbed onto the lagoon side and paddled out ready to get into the line-up for an opportunity to show the rest of their community and the judges what they could do. The atmosphere was brimming with anticipation and an undeniable eagerness from both surfers and spectators alike. As the first wave broke through the stillness of the morning, the anticipation in the air shifted into a joy as everyone’s eyes settled on the awesome scenes being created by all the young surfers involved. From the Beginner Bays to our Advanced Waves, everyone in the lagoon put on a spectacle, showing off all the skills they’ve been working away at throughout their club sessions and sharing their passion, solidifying a comradery and community of surfers of varying ages and abilities.
After two hours of competition from both clubs’ young surfers, we saw several the volunteers who help run the club sessions take to the Advanced Wave for one final hour of rolling waves and wipe outs.
At 9:30 the celebrations began at the lagoon-side tepee. As everyone tucked into a well-deserved warm post-surf breakfast, the focus shifted from the lagoon to the prize giving ceremony. Surfers, spectators and staff all gathered to hear the long-awaited result of the morning’s efforts. Both teams competed with great skill and fierce spirit which led to a very close result. Clwb Syrffio Dyffryn Conwy showed consistent performance across all their heats, using their home advantage to their strength however Clwb Syrffio Llyn showed depth and strength in their individual performances. Ultimately, Clwb Syrffio Dyffryn Conwy took the home win by just one point, leaving both teams eager to get back out on the waves together again in the new year for a second event which will be held on Clwb Syrffio Llyn’s home waves.
Although both teams put out an amazing effort in pursuit of the overall win on Sunday, Roger Pierce founder of Clwb Syrffio Dyffryn Conwy summed up the morning perfectly when he said, “the spirit between both teams and their members was unmistakable even though it was a competition and both teams helped each other out in the waves”.
It was an absolute pleasure to host Sunday’s event and be able to engage with the young surf community here in North Wales. We’re looking forward to seeing how both teams progress and we’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for their performances in next year’s event!
Summer in Snowdonia | Adventure Parc Snowdonia
Summer in SnowdoniaWrapping up an awesome return to life around the lagoon
Thanking you all, who visited, surfed, climbed, explored, relaxed and embraced an incredible summer in Snowdonia!
With collective relief felt far and wide, the summer of 2021 was much more enjoyable than 2020. We were able to welcome you back to the water, watch as family and friends reconnected and of course, embark on our new adventure with the Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia and Wave Garden Spa.
Alongside millions of other businesses in Wales alone, we’ve adapted to the challenges brought about by covid-19 and eventually overcome them, with socially-distant surfing and safe protocols put in place to protect us all. As we look forward to an autumn of adventure, there’s a few things we wanted to mention that made this summer a memorable one.
With too much to cover in one here are highlights and notes from what has been a remarkable year in our story so far...
Waves returning to Snowdonia
On the 18th May 2021, after over a year of a lifeless lagoon, we were able to finally fire up our wave-foil and watch as the waves rolled by once more. Entirely inspired by nature, our enchanting environment made this all the more emotional. With a backdrop of thick, dense forest from one end and a sweeping valley at the other, it seems only natural for the lagoon to be glistening and sparkling with the movement of our waves. It was great to see some familiar faces again too, with many locals taking their boards to the water after being deprived of the more tropical surf destinations dotted around the globe.
Our new hotel & spa overlooking the surf lagoon
One particular highlight of this year was the much anticipated opening of our brand new Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia and adjoining Wave Garden Spa. Immersed within the Snowdonia scenery and based onsite for easy access to all the adventures we offer, the hotel boasts beautiful rooms that look over the lagoon and a serene spa area with treatments centred around wellbeing. The opening has gone excellently for everyone involved, and we’ve had some great feedback from guests that left feeling refreshed, inspired and well-rested.
The team at Adventure Parc Snowdonia
We are immensely proud of how hard each and every single member of staff has worked in order to facilitate safe learning environments and enjoyable experiences even in times of difficulty. It goes without saying that we would be nothing without the people who keep the cogs turning here at Adventure Parc Snowdonia. Our team has also grown during this time, and we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming more passionate, professional individuals across surf, adventure and hospitality. We can’t wait to see where autumn takes us, and we look forward to welcoming you here soon.
What the landscape looks like post-covid
While we are still remaining vigilant in terms of safety and protecting others, we have enjoyed seeing people connecting with nature both here onsite and around the local area. If there’s anything we learned during lockdown, it’s how beautiful our scenic surroundings are, and how good it is to be able to connect with kindred spirits who enjoy the great outdoors as much as we do. With the restrictions now significantly eased, we are taking the time to celebrate local sites and attractions such as our local mountain bike trail Gwydir Forest and the beautiful Bodnant Garden.
Stay | Explore | Relax
The perfect escape.., Combining active outdoor adventure with serene relaxation or to simply unwind in Snowdonia. Our Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia provides contemporary comfort and warm hospitality in a truly remarkable setting. The hotel features stylish and modern bedrooms with big views on all sides, a beautiful restaurant and bar, and the new Wave Garden Spa.
Surfmore this winter!
People and sense of community are what makes sharing our waves so enjoyable for us here is Snowdonia. We hope to see many of our friends and locals returning to to #SurfMore and up your wave count. One way we hope to make this a little easier is through our 2021 surf memberships. Whether you’re a local or travel to the remarkable location we call home in the hunt for waves and good times, we look forward to seeing you spend longer in the lineup!
2021 Surf Loyalty Memberships!
SURF LOYALTY MEMBERSHIPEXPLORE
Up your wave count and surf more with our surf memberships! Giving you 25% off your next 10 'Just Surf' sessions in 2021!
People and sense of community are what makes sharing our waves so enjoyable for us here is Snowdonia. We hope to see many of our friends and locals returning to to #SurfMore and up your wave count. One way we hope to make this a little easier is through our 2021 surf memberships. Whether you're a local or travel to the remarkable location we call home in the hunt for waves and good times, we look forward to seeing you spend longer in the lineup!
EXPLORE
https://www.adventureparcsnowdonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Surf-Snowdonia-I-Biggest-Wave-Garden-in-the-World.mp4