Review: 41756 Holiday Ski Slope & Cafe
Posted by MeganL,
Those looking to expand their Winter Village have two options from a non-traditional source: this year's Friends sets.
Previously I looked at 41760 Igloo Holiday Adventure that showed Paisley and Aliya pursuing the Northern Lights. Now let's take a look at the other Friends holiday offering, 41756 Holiday Ski Slope and Cafe. The Friends haven't had a ski resort since 41324 Snow Resort Ski Lift, which focused on the lift and the hill was more of an afterthought.
Summary
41756 Holiday Ski Slope and Cafe, 980 pieces.
£74.99 / $79.99 / €84.99 | 7.7p/8.2c/8.7c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
A great winter scene with lots of play value that belongs in any Winter Village
- Nice inclusivity touches
- Sophisticated building techniques
- Adorable snow fox
- More fabulous trees
- How do you get to the top of the hill?
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Inside the box there are eight bags numbered 1-7, one 8x16 plate, another long flex tube used previously as a handrail, and a cardboard folder containing the instruction book and a moderately sized sticker sheet. From the looks of the sticker sheet, every Friend's favourite brand of bubble gum, Guble Bubble, makes another appearance here.
Minidolls and animals
There are three minidolls in the set. Of those, one is a new character, Aaron. Aaron has mobility challenges, so he has some walking sticks to help him get around. He has a lovely Nordic-patterned sweater and some very sturdy boots.
Liann and Zac are also suitably dressed for the weather with snowboard jackets and pants. Liann makes a striking figure in the bright colours she's wearing, while Zac is a tiny bit more subdued in blue and purple.
There's a new cute Friends animal in the world, and it's a snow fox! It's a very contented looking snow fox. I wonder if it gets snacks from the café because it's so cute?
All three minidolls get appropriately kitted out for the ski slope. Aaron trades his walking sticks for ski poles and has a ski chair for enjoying the slopes. Liann and Zac have coordinating helmets to match their gear. Aaron has a helmet, too, I just forgot to put it on for the picture.
Backprinting for all three minidolls is suitably detailed. And the snow fox is still adorable.
The completed model
The ski shop and café combined with the ski slope is a pretty impressive structure. I'm immediately struck by all those fabulous trees along the slope.
The slope starts over the shops and winds down the side. There are studs on the slope to allow a minidoll to hang out on her snowboard.
We can see both Liann and Zac in action. Love the snow slope, but I'm bothered that there's no discernible way to get to the top! We could probably use the ski lift from 41324 here.
Taking a closer look at the building, there are a lot of details packed in the front. I like all the advertising for the different businesses in town over the front door, such as the Organic Market and the Sports Center (review forthcoming). Guble Bubble makes an appearance again!
Over the front door to the market there's a sign with a sticker detail, a map of the slope next to the door, and two mugs of hot cocoa waiting on the window sill. Upstairs - and this time there is a way to get upstairs - the front of the ski shop has some nice log detailing on the front of the building. Storage for skis and ski poles can be found outside on the balcony.
It's worth noting that there are some nice building techniques used for the stairs to the ski shop, as well as the roof. It definitely felt like a Winter Village set while building.
Taking a look at the back of the model, there's plenty of access to the market and the shop.
The designer has also included another little cave, similar to that in 41760. There's a crystal tucked in the back. The crystal isn't the only "treasure" to be found in the set. There's a spider lurking under the snow of the ski slope, and a coin to be found in the floor of the café.
The café is small, but has a few details. I like the snowy footprints just inside the door.
A soda machine is the most imposing build in this area. The two largest stickers for this set are to decorate the sides of the machine.
The other side of the café shows some of the wares on offer, including, of course, Guble Bubble.
Upstairs, inside the ski shop, everything is ready for whatever the outdoor adventurers need.
Speaking of outdoor adventurers.....
(Note: bench warming sloths not included in this set.)
(Note: snowboarding sloths not included in this set.)
Overall thoughts
This was a fun set to build, and I expect more fun to play with. I'm glad that the designer paid a lot more attention to the ski slope this time around, even if there isn't a way to get to the top! You can just place a minidoll at the top and they'll make their way down on their own, but I like the ability to pose them part way down the slope.
The Friends team continues to really roll with the diversity theme, and Aaron's inclusion in this set is wonderful. I really like how so many sets this year have been accommodating for Friends of all kinds of abilities.
There are plenty of great details here as well - from the brickwork on the front of the building to all the little accessories in the store. Of course, there's more of the fabulous trees, which really ties this set to 41760. And there's a snow fox!
This set will definitely be going into my Winter Village - I think it's a perfect addition, and the minidolls will looking great swooshing down the ski slope into the main street of the village.
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22 comments on this article
I know it's such a little detail, but that vice....
I always think it's fascinating when Friends and City tackle essentially identical subjects in the same year, especially when those are not common subjects for Lego sets. I'd love to see a comparison review of the Friends and City ski slopes.
There's a lot of fun details here. I like the bench made out of an old snowboard. You'll often find furniture made out of old skis and snowboards near ski resorts. The black diamond and green circle markers to denote difficulty depending on where you start on the slope is a good touch. And all the little appliances and equipment look great.
Really love this set. The very best Friends sets are among the best mass-market sets LEGO produces.
Is it weird that I want to buy this, get rid of the minidolls, and use it in my Winter Village with regular minifigures?
Good review! I wasn't expecting your second winter Friends set review to go live THIS soon but it's a delightful surprise!
Can't help but notice that one of the stickered souvenirs for sale is a yeti plush like the one on Maya's bed in the igloo set! That's a charming bit of continuity. The stickered red panda snowboard is also ADORABLE!
Aaron definitely adds some nice diversity to this set, and I love the use of paint roller pieces as assistive crutches. However, his outfit is kind of overshadowed by the eye-catching snowsuits of the two main Friends IMO, and doesn't really tell us much about his character. I guess this more generic, less sporty winter look was chosen so it could be reused for Leo in the upcoming Friends Advent Calendar.
The curvy mountain landscaping and snow-covered trees are even more impressive here than in the Igloo set. The caves in the back make a cozy shelter from the cold for both skiers and the little arctic fox, and the leaves covering the entrance make discovering it seem all the more exciting! The lack of access to the top of the slope IS a pretty noticeable drawback, though, especially in a set that does include stair access for the upper level of the ski shop/cafe.
That said, I'm impressed by the natural flow of the ski slope build, even with that 45-degree turn in the middle! I hadn't noticed the studs on the slope in the official pics, but they certainly make it easier to display the figures "in action"! Out of curiosity, how smooth a ride is it when sliding the characters down from the top?
The architectural flourishes on the cafe/ski shop (like the stone wall on the ground floor and the wooden logs on the top floor) are gorgeous, and very fitting for the setting. And their subdued, natural colors balance nicely with the brightly colored wall paint and signage. I also love the balcony, snow-covered roof, and wooden spiral stairs with intermittent snowy patches. Even the bench outside looks both flashier and cozier than the one in the igloo set, with its curved snowboard-based backrest!
The cafe's furnishings and refreshments are nice and varied — I am quite impressed by that brick-built kettle design for the hot cocoa, although it's an odd choice to have just a shelf rather than either a stove or a cocoa machine to warm it up prior to serving! Upstairs, I love that ski shop includes not just a range of supplies for sale/rent, but also a vise and workbench for touch-ups and repairs. I'm a little surprised not to see some paints there as well, to tie in with both Liann's love of art and the gorgeous colors/patterns on the snowboards!
Thanks for the great review and photos! Your excitement for the fun and unique details of this set definitely come through, and it's hard not to share that excitement!
@WesterBricks said:
"Is it weird that I want to buy this, get rid of the minidolls, and use it in my Winter Village with regular minifigures?"Not at all
Crikey this looks like the leaked image for this years winter village set!!!!!!! But cheaper and with an actual slope!
Thanks for the review!
It may not have a ski lift like 41324 , but this set appeals more to me.
It's compact and complete.
I guess one could build the other side of the mountain to build a ski lift and have the set open and close in order to play... I mean stage scenes in the interior.
It does feel like a theme park ride to me.
Have fun going down the slope and hey! time to shop, drink and get that silly photo of you going down the hill.
Snowboarding sloth! Fantastic!
@MeganL thanks for the review. Always love your reviews, and I hope that one day you will forget to put in the disclaimer 'no sloths included in this set' (just like I hope Huw will forget to put in the 'no goat' disclaimer).
That said, sloths became a little less cute this week, after reading this review on the Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/aug/30/slotherhouse-movie-review-killer-sloth
This is a very good looking set, with just minor color swaps we have a perfect City build! Intersteingly here in Poland there was a retail chain called Fresh Market with quite similar logo to the one in this set! https://cdn.galleries.smcloud.net/t/galleries/gf-wHRb-sVtr-ZZJW_freshmarket-1920x1080-nocrop.jpg
I am *extremely* tempted to get this and mash it up with 41324! We still have that one on our shelf.
@Ridgeheart said:
"That cave is - man, what IS that cave? Dark sorceries are afoot."
It's where they perform arcane magic to summon Dreadflipper.
I am developing a growing pile of Friends characters because Friends sets are too hard to pass up for a thriving Lego City.
This review got me wondering how sloths handle winter weather. "Liann makes a striking figure in the bright colours she's wearing, while Zac is a tiny bit more subdued in blue and purple." Maybe she's less confident in her abilities and wants to make sure she'll be visible to the rescuers she's sure will be coming?
@WesterBricks: Personally, I think there'd be too much of a style contrast between this set and the Winter Village sets, but, you know, that's just like my opinion, man.
Oh look another friends set that BLOWS City one out of the water.
The slope is way better designed and incorporated!
Aslo guys go and sell the Minidolls, they sell well on Facebook parents groups for 2$ each
@lordofdragonss said:
"Oh look another friends set that BLOWS City one out of the water.
The slope is way better designed and incorporated!
Aslo guys go and sell the Minidolls, they sell well on Facebook parents groups for 2$ each"
What about bald minidollls...? I really like their hairpieces.
@PhantomBricks said:
" @lordofdragonss said:
"Oh look another friends set that BLOWS City one out of the water.
The slope is way better designed and incorporated!
Aslo guys go and sell the Minidolls, they sell well on Facebook parents groups for 2$ each"
What about bald minidollls...? I really like their hairpieces."
Swap them with any headgear you have lying around. I often give them bicycle helmets
@MeganL said: "How do you get to the top of the hill?"
@Ridgeheart said:
"Alternatively, maybe that's just how people get on top of the slopes - by teleporting up, from the cave?"
Let me help out you, Lowlanders.
Clearly, you walk to the top of the stairs. Pop on yer board/skis. Hop on the railing. Hook a gnarly 180 with a half twisty 'n side grab. Bob's yer uncle, you're there and ready to slice pow or crunch corduroy.
@Ridgeheart said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @MeganL said: "How do you get to the top of the hill?"
@Ridgeheart said:
"Alternatively, maybe that's just how people get on top of the slopes - by teleporting up, from the cave?"
Let me help out you, Lowlanders.
Clearly, you walk to the top of the stairs. Pop on yer board/skis. Hop on the railing. Hook a gnarly 180 with a half twisty 'n side grab. Bob's yer uncle, you're there and ready to slice pow or crunch corduroy.
"
Sure, but as I've mentioned in my first comment in this thread - at this point I'm closer in mobility to Stephen Hawking than Tony Hawk. Give me some time. Or maybe throw me a rope.
I'm already very content with @Zordboy 's explanation that the cave is probably where Dreadflipper will be summoned (or possibly where he'll ascend to Frostflipper). It just tracks, you know?"
I can't do it anymore, either. Sigh.
But, those nubile youngin's can.
God speed Ridgeheart!
Surely it's a case of the properly old school approach - backpack on, skis attached, climb to the top.. Properly earn the speed on the way back down!
This looks great. I've never bought a Friends set before - generally too focussed on Icons and Technic - but this might well break that streak!