When Hazel Jaggers, General Manager of Knockhatch Ski & Snowboard School in Hailsham, SE England got in touch to request a downloadable version of our Stop, Look, Slide! video, we were so impressed and grateful for her enthusiasm. We’ve spent many months contacting the big indoor ski domes in the UK, keen to form partnerships and spread our piste safety messages to the core UK skiers and snowboarders, with no luck at all.
Here, Hazel explains why she feels the Piste X Code campaign is important, especially at grass roots level.
Hazel, tell me a little about the Knockhatch Ski & Snowboard School and your dry ski slope
Knockhatch Ski & Snowboard School sits within Knockhatch Adventure Park in East Sussex. The slope started life as part of a working dairy farm before being transformed into a family-run adventure park and ski centre. It opened for the 2001/02 season as the passion project of my grandmother, Annette Jaggers, who wanted somewhere the family could work together and share their love of skiing. We continue to run it in her memory and with the same family values she built it on.
Our slope is 110 metres long and uses Ski Grass, one of the safest and most forgiving artificial surfaces. It’s equipped with two Poma lifts and caters to a wide range of skiers — from complete beginners taking their first steps to those training towards instructor qualifications with Snowsport England, BASI, or CSIA.
Most of our users are beginners, families, and schools discovering skiing for the first time. We also host a large number ofschools, Scout and Guide groups, and community organisations for day trips and pre–ski-trip training sessions. Our youngest skiers are three years old, and our oldest learner so far was 80 — proving you’re never too old to start!
How and where did you first discover the Piste X Code?
We first came across the Piste X Code on BBC News last season and were instantly impressed by how engaging and interactive it was. We loved the approach — it made safety accessible, memorable, and fun, especially for younger skiers. From that moment, we started recommending it to all our junior skiers.
Why do you think it’s important to introduce the concept of piste safety to beginner skiers?
Safety is the foundation of everything we teach. Understanding piste safety from the very beginning not only protects the skier but also everyone around them. For beginners, these early lessons become good habits that carry forward into mountain environments. We’ve always believed that teaching safety isn’t about rules — it’s about respect, awareness, and ensuring everyone enjoys skiing together.
How are you integrating the various elements of the Piste X Code campaign into the venue, and what has the reaction been?
We’ve woven the Piste X Code into several parts of our operations. It’s included in every booking confirmation email for our children’s lessons, alongside the Snowsport England Skiway Code for adults (though we often suggest parents watch the Piste X video too!).
At the slope, the Piste X Code posters are displayed prominently in our café area, and the animated video plays on our menu screen roughly every half hour. It’s been brilliant watching families absorb the information without realising — a bit of cheeky subliminal learning!
The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. Children love the video — some even treat it like their favourite TV show and ask to watch it again. Parents have commented on how fun and clear it is, and a few have even admitted they learned something new themselves.
Do dry ski slopes play an important role in inspiring families to discover skiing?
Absolutely — and we see it every day. Dry slopes are often the first step for families who might never otherwise have the opportunity to ski. Many come for a school or Scout session and leave absolutely buzzing, begging their families to come back. Some even go on to pursue instructor qualifications!
Last season alone, three of our former school group participants began their instructor training, and all have now got their families skiing too. One mum told us she never imagined she’d be “hurtling down a slope” and loving it. That’s the magic of dry slopes — they open the door to a sport that might have felt out of reach.
Have you had any feedback on the campaign from your visitors? Do you think it is effective?
The feedback has been fantastic. The Piste X Code has turned what used to be a rather serious subject into something genuinely enjoyable. The bright, friendly tone captures the children’s attention, and the parents’ comments — especially the “oh, I didn’t know that!” moments — have shown just how effective it is.
From our perspective, your campaign has been invaluable. It’s made teaching safety simple, engaging, and positive — and for that, we couldn’t be more grateful.
At Knockhatch, everything we do stems from my Granny Annette’s original vision — that skiing should be fun, safe, and something families can enjoy together. She believed that learning to ski was about confidence and connection, not just technique, and that spirit lives on in every lesson we teach. Campaigns like the Piste X Code fit perfectly with that philosophy — they keep the joy of snowsports alive while reminding everyone, young and old, how to stay safe and respectful on the slopes. We’re incredibly proud to carry on her legacy and to play a small part in helping the next generation of skiers fall in love with the snow.
