Soar

To my knowledge, there's nowhere else in Glasgow quite like Xscape (sorry, "Soar," not convinced I'll ever get used to that...) Certainly there's nowhere else like Snow Factor, an indoor ski slope with real snow and even an ice wall for learning to do ice climbing. However, there's more to Soar than skiing.

There's a whole bunch of bars, cafes and restaurants for a start. While these do tend to be branches of major chains (Nandos, TGIs, Chiquito etc) they aren't bad and can be a great place for a break and some refreshments after skiing or other activities. In particular, Bar Varia, a German ski-lodge themed bar, is well worth a visit.

A little retail therapy is also available here and it's probably the best place in Glasgow to buy outdoors-y sporting equipment with branches of Evans Cycles, Trespass and Snowboard Asylum. There is also a WHSmiths, but that's about it for non-sporting goods.

If you're after entertainment but don't fancy hitting the slopes there is plenty more to do. There's a cinema, climbing walls, a laser tag arena, a bowling alley, a games arcade and a soft play area. That should keep everyone busy (and happy), right?

For those occasions when you want something a bit different to do, Soar is your place.

I come here often to work with various clients I support. Soar is great for a number of reasons: it is a great base for activities to keep you occupied on a rainy day, lots of places to eat, lots of places for a coffee and a chat and lastly, every member of staff I have encountered has been friendly and helpful if I have needed help when someone I'm supporting is having a bad day.

During the week, the bowling alley is quiet and spacious; it also has an arcade and lots of pool/snooker tables. Soar also has a great Odeon cinema, mini golf and obviously the snow slopes. Along with plenty of restaurant choices, this makes Soar a great day out for all the family!

Why send off friends who are moving away with a nice meal and a few drinks when you could go to Xscape and do something FUN? That was my reasoning anyhow.

Braeheads Xscape is easy to get to by car or public transport and offers alot of activities and good quality eateries.

There is also a cinema, bowling alley and an excellent lazer zone - the sort of places you have been to before.. There is a fan drop (eek!), skypark, rock climbing and huge indoor snow zone with real snow that is always busy. Places you might not have been to before.

Virtually infinite potential in here and everytime I go I try something new. If it wasn't so dear though, I would go more often.

I just cant bring myself to try that fan drop though.. it's too scary!

The crazy golf is recommended, with 2 different courses that never get too busy.

Still cant get my head around the name change here. To me it will always be Xscape and its what me and my friends always refer to it as.

There is quite a good variety of restaurants inside with a few that keep closing and re-opening. There is also a bowling alley, cinema, crazy golf and kids soft play area.

Located at the back of the venue is the indoor ski slope which i never have used but quite like to watch from the bar area. There is also a climbing area with small zip slide which is in a rather bizzare area.

Upstairs there is a small amusement area and a golf simulation place.

For me its an ok place to meet a friend for a spot of lunch and a catch up as its handy off the m8 with plenty parking outside.

There is a lack of similar venues in Glasgow, therefor Soar is rather unique. Outside is a few activities, inflatable climbing slide and the bungee ropes. Inside you find a range of activities, including; skypark, snow factor, bowlplex, paradise island pitch and put, odeon cinema and a range of restaurants. There's ample free parking. A great venue for a night out with the kids or friends alike. This deserves 5 stars

I've not spent much time in this actual centre - I tend to just bolt through it to get to the ski slope.

It seems to contain a great many things to keep you entertained - there's a climbing wall with auto-belays, which looks pretty good, there's an Odeon cinema, and of course the ski slope, replete with real snow.

There's loads of places to eat - a TGI Friday, a Harvester, I don't know what else, I'm probably never going to eat there, and some shops selling outdoors clothing.

The lighting is horrible. Like really terrible. Overall too dark, with pink fluorescent efforts and other harsh harsh lighting in sections of glaring awfulness. Is that cool? Maybe it's cool. Maybe I'm just old, but I honestly do just bolt through this place as quickly as I can because the lighting makes it such a horrible environment to be in. They should think about this - if they really want to attract people that like doing activities that are typically done outdoors like climbing and skiing, maybe they want to make the environment a bit more sympathetic to that. And not like some tacky badly lit disco from the 1980s.

I have a theory - a hypothesis if you will.

The people who built this thing, modelled it on Super Mario.

Now that I have said it - you cannot get it out of your mind.

Take a look in the car park - Woody Level. All of the crossed trees in the car park are those initial levels in Mario where you learn that those cuddly turtles are there to kill you.

Next we have the climbing level. Look up. Look way up. Those are people who decided that being elevated several feet above you was a great way to spend an hour on a weekend.

Super Mario always had climbing levels, it is a platformer for gods sake.

Next - Industrial Level. Those columns with the fake rivets and the fake fans above were planned by someone. Someone who played Super Mario too much.

Finally, we have the Ice Level. You get it yet?

You have got to admit.

Xscape = Super Mario

Probably the NES edition.

Not Super Mario 64, that I would go to every bloody day.

Just to fly around - with a red cap on.

Review for the snow slopes.

I came here for my first snowboarding lesson and I loved it! As I had never snowboarded before I had to rent clothing which I think I payed around £3.50 for, for a jacket and trousers (I got the lesson as part of a groupon deal, I think the usual price to rent clothing is around £6), no issues with the clothing at all, however I did have to get trousers fitted for a 13 year old after a small size was literally hanging off me! also, you do need to bring your own gloves as they don't supply that. The equipment was included, which contained of a board, boots and a helmet.

There are 3 different slopes - the main slope for the experienced, a smaller/shorter slope for learners and another short slope for sledging.

My instructor for the day was Tiree who was absolutely great, very friendly and patient - considering I refused to use the rope to get to the top of the slope as I was too scared! She taught very well and by the end of the lesson I was actually able to snowboard down the hill all on my own (yay!)

As I had bought my lesson from a groupon deal it was much cheaper. Normal price is around £26 for a 90 minute lesson. They also have 4 hour and 8 hour lessons where you can learn all the skills in the one day. Not sure that's a good idea as I was knackered about an hour!

I have booked my next lesson already and am so excited to go back!

I love this place ,
the shops are cool inside climbing skying snowboarding skating they do it all.
Talk about eating,wow every taste under the sun, to many to mention,
theres bowling ans a place to leave the kids if u want also a cinema,,,
if you want to ski or snowboard its easy all the gear on hire is cheap and very good quality top- of the range infact. so what you waiting for a full days fun under one roof.

We'll I may as we'll review xscape now after that fumble.

We'll xscape is full of restaurants and full of activities for everyone it has a cinema a 36 course putt in gold course. It's got a a climbing zone, bowling and a big play are for the kids it's also got great shops and full of restaurants! And of course it has a massive ski/snow board zone which is like a massive snow zone going up hill!

It's definitely a place you could spend a day doing good activities for a day out.

Overall definitely a place for a day out.

Great location
Great atmosphere
Great activities
Great staff
Great decor !!!!!