A huge revolving ski slope in the style of a hamster wheel will soon let people take to the snow regardless of the climate.
Set to open in Australia in 2027, the indoor ‘Snowtunnel’ will stand at a colossal 41ft high and 52.5ft long (12.5 metres by 16 metres).
Snowtunnel will be the ‘world’s first endless mountain riding, real snow experience’ for both experienced skiers and novices, say its creators.
It will provide an endless spinning loop of ‘constantly ridable surface area’, ideal for visitors to ‘enjoy snow adventures all year round’.
Australian entrepreneurs plan to install several of the structures around the country, starting in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
And while a vast wall of white may not compare to beautiful natural scenery, at least the snow cover will be consistent.
Scott Kessler, CEO and co-founder of Snowtunnel Parks based in Melbourne, compared the upcoming experience to indoor rock climbing and skydiving.
‘Our mission is to unlock the magic of snow and ignite a passion for alpine experiences for everyone, all year round,’ he said.
A huge revolving ski slope in the style of a hamster wheel known as ‘Snowtunnel’ will let people take to the ice all year round
Set to open in Australia in 2027, the indoor ‘Snowtunnel’ will stand at a colossal 41ft high and 52.5ft long (12.5 metres by 16 metres)
‘Rock climbing, skydiving and even golf have all shown growing interest from new demographics keen to try new adventures and experiences enabled by the latest technology, in a convenient and consistently high-quality environment.’
The interior of the rotating metal air tunnel will be lined with real powdery, crunchy snow made from iced water.
Creators describe the interior as a ‘corduroy’ pattern in reference to the classic fabric, featuring narrow, perfectly-aligned lines, helping skis stay straight.
At 52.5ft long, the Snowtunnel is as wide as an average ski run – so dozens of paying visitors will be able to use it at once. As yet it’s unclear how much it will cost to use the Snowtunnel and for how long; the firm has been contacted for more information.
Also at the indoor facilities, there will also be graded downhill slopes and a snow play zone with powdery white snow produced fresh daily for ‘for fun alpine activities’.
They will also have ski gear for sale and a modern lounge area selling ‘iconic alpine food and drinks’ complete with a fireplace overlooking the snow.
Kessler’s company has successfully completed earlier investment rounds that enabled the delivery of a full-scale, 30ft diameter, proof-of-concept Snowtunnel.
The firm is now progressing an open capital round to raise funds for the first official Snowtunnel Park for visitors, although it’s not yet been announced where.
The tunnel’s interior is described as a ‘corduroy’ pattern in reference to the classic fabric, featuring narrow, perfectly-arranged lines
A vast wall of white may not compare to the beautiful scenery of the Alps, but at least the snow cover will be consistent
Entrepreneurs plan to install the structure around Australia, starting in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane (artist’s impression)
This flagship site will be ‘established in a major Australian capital city’ – likely Melbourne, followed by the expansion to Sydney, Brisbane and beyond.
If successful, the snowy hamster wheel could become commonplace around the world in the coming decades, including in Europe.
While it may seem extravagant and even needless, Snowtunnel addresses a genuine concern in the skiing industry – a lack of snow due to higher average temperatures.
Scientists say global warming is becoming such an issue that snow cover in popular tourist spots such as the Alps is too thin.
Already in some locations, machines known as ‘snow guns’ are relied upon to spray artificial ice crystals to mimic the attributes of natural ice crystals.
Even when there’s enough ice cover, snow seasons around the world are short, typically three to five months a year.
In Australia, the ski season runs from about June to October, while in the northern hemisphere it’s of course the opposite, from about November to March.
In Australia, skiing hotspots include Selwyn Snow Resort, north of the Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales, and Mount Baw Baw, about three hour’s drive east of Melbourne, Victoria.
Scientists say global warming is becoming such an issue that snow cover in popular tourist spots such as the Alps is too thin. Pictured, skiers ride a chairlift at Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland December 31, 2022
Already in some locations, machines known as ‘snow guns’ (pictured) are relied upon to spray artificial ice crystals to mimic the attributes of natural ice crystals
‘We still get excited seeing the first snowflakes on the ground as you head up the mountains,’ added Kessler.
‘However, growing up in Australia, we all know how inconsistent each snow season can be.
‘We want everyone to experience that thrill of alpine adventure by bringing the snow to capital city-based adventurer-seekers with the world’s first Snowtunnel Park.’
The company has launched numerous social media accounts including Instagram, TikTok and X (Twitter) and urges fans to follow them for updates on the project’s progress.
