The Summer wave of LEGO® City sets seems to have an icy theme to them and whilst some residents are off exploring the Arctic tundra others and enjoying the snow in different ways. One of the larger of the new LEGO City Summer sets drops a Winter sports-themed outdoor pursuits centre into LEGO City. The Ski and Climbing Center includes a large slope to practice on, a working lift and continues with the modular design of various LEGO City buildings. Here’s a closer look at this interesting addition to the LEGO City range.
Product Details
Set Name: Ski and Climbing Center | Set Number: 60366 | Pieces: 1045 | Theme: LEGO City
RRP: £94.99/$119.99/104.99€ | Number of Bags: Bags x 10 | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: Sheet x 1 | Minifigures: Residents x 8
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & General Retail
With the latest LEGO City sets having a greater focus on buildings over vehicles, they have also implemented a modular design standard. This has seen many of the LEGO City buildings now constructed from similar-sized sections, which are then clipped together or stacked to create various structures. For this set, that structure is a Ski and Climbing. The actual building doubles as both a ski slope and a climbing wall. Although many of the sections are created on 8×16 plates, the overall style of the building makes it less likely to be compatible with other LEGO City sets. However, technically parts of it could be linked up to other buildings. It’s crafted from six different sections, which are split across three instruction booklets. The set can also be using the LEGO Builder app where it can be built by multiple people using the Build Together function.
The Center is built to feature the building within the elevation of the ski slope. So at the lowest point of the slop is a sort of half-pipe ramp, which forms the end of the slope and a great launching point for skiers, snowboarders or any other wayward extreme sport lovers. The next section is an 8×16 room, which has a sloped roof. Not only does this allow it to form part of the larger slope, but the building also houses the centre’s medical bay.
As the elevation of the slope increases, the next area is made of two 8×16 sections. The bottom section is similar to other LEGO City buildings and within the Ski Center, it becomes the reception area, complete with spare equipment and a potted plant. Above it is another sloped roof section, it has the exact same build as the lower section but the interior features a café. Despite being a small area, this section features some cool little details, especially the coffee machine. Once connected to the lower sections, it forms a continuation of the ski slope.
The largest part of the set is a three-storey tower which provides numerous functions. It acts as the top of the slope and the launching point to take to the piste. The entire back of the tower features a climbing wall. I love the design of this, with rock panels combined with other grey elements to create a textured surface, which is also dotted by different coloured shaft studs. These can be used as holding points or you can connect a minifigure to them thanks to the minifigure back plate, which is instead worn around the front. This can also be connected to the vibrant yellow string so you can wince climbers up the wall.
Inside the tower, you’ll find a stack of the new ‘worm’ gears. These elements were introduced earlier this year in the Police Academy set. Similar to its function in that set, it helps to create a lift. Rotating the tyre on the roof of the tower causes the gear pole to turn and raise the platform it holds. It’s a fun play and cleverly incorporated into the build.
Although the focus of the set is the building and the slope it creates, there is a small outdoor area bridging the slope and tower. This section of the set may seem a little sparse, but it has a few little Easter Eggs to other LEGO City sets. These include a travel banner urging people to explore and see seals and sea turtles – two of the new creatures featured in the Arctic Explorer sets. There’s also a slushie-drinking penguin, calling back to the Penguin Slushie Van set and finally, there’s a familiar-looking marshmallow, which has been featured on cups in past LEGO City sets. LEGO animal fans will be pleased to ses the set features both a squirrel and an owl.
The LEGO City sets have dropped named characters and the connection to the LEGO City Adventures animated series, it still features a colourful collection of minifigures. Each one of the eight minifigures is unique to this set, with most of them featuring new torsos. They are all kitted out colourful clothing associated with the wintery sports scene, with some characters also featuring the ability to swap hair for a helmet. The set also continues the trend of giving male characters long hair. Not really unusual but it does look fun on some characters. There are also various accessories that can be added to any of the characters including skis, snowboards, skates and snowshoes. These offer plenty of customisation options.
Overall
I did enjoy the period when LEGO City sets featured named characters through LEGO City Adventures, especially as it seems to herald a new era for the long-running theme. Although the characters may be long gone, the fun they injected into the City sets continues. This is a great set to build but one which is even better to play with. I love the way the slope is incorporated into the building, along with the climbing wall. I especially like the nods to other LEGO City sets, it’s also great to see interconnecting strings across LEGO sets and themes. Most of all I like that the set offers something different, I’m sure kids enjoy the seemingly endless fire and police sets, but it’s great when LEGO City offers something new and different.
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The LEGO Group provided this set for review purposes. The thoughts within this review are those of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of the set.
