Cribbs Causeway to become Bristol's ultimate leisure destination?

Visitors to Cribbs Causeway can already shop, eat, pump iron at the gym, watch a movie and go bowling. Thanks to a number of new developments, soon it could be a destination where we will be able to ski, skate, skydive and bounce, too. 

Due to open later this summer inside what was previously a John Lewis distribution centre, AirHop is a huge trampoline park where more than 100 interconnected trampolines will line the floor and walls.

AirHop

Within the 60,000 square foot building will be the opportunity for a number of high-flying activities.

The Bristol Airhop under constructionLara Thomas-Nel

This includes parkour-style free running – called free jump – as well as dodgeball, trampoline-assisted basketball slam dunks, and a large foam pit where you can practice your aerial tricks.

New plans were revealed this week proposing that Cribbs Causeway could also be the home for a massive indoor ice rink, which comes complete with an indoor skydiving and ski centre.

The proposals are still subject to consultation, but the rink - which will be operated by Planet Ice, who run similar facilities across the country - will cater for ice hockey, speed skating and public skating.

Planet Ice rink in BasingstokeFlickr: davidgsteadman

The indoor ski and skydive centre is hoped to feature a revolving dry ski slope (sort of like a running machine covered with a fake ‘snow carpet’), which will enable skiers and snowboarders to refine their technical skills.

A giant wind tunnel is used to replicate the sensation of free falling, allowing people to experience the feeling of skydiving, without having to throw themselves out of a plane.

If the plans are approved, it's hoped that the facilities will be completed late 2016. 

In the meantime, there are still plenty of great things to do in Bristol this summer!