The world’s first indoor winter snow resort, to be located in the UK, has been given the go-ahead. SnOasis, which will boast Europe’s largest indoor snow slope, will be created in Ipswich, Suffolk.
The facility will not only house the 450 metre long by 70 metre wide ski slope, but will include a 100 metre nursery slope, 16 metre high ice climbing wall, ice rink, swimming pool, gym, skate park, rock climbing and water sports such as rowing, windsurfing, sailing and canoeing all based on a 350 acre site. SnOasis will also be home to the UK’s first winter sports academy, providing top-notch training to athletes.
The development of SnOasis is expected to be complete in 2012, will cost in the region of £350 million and will be a privately funded project. It is expected to attract around 650,000 tourists a year, and accommodation will include 350 ski lodges, a four-star hotel and an athletes’ village.
Godfrey Spanner, Managing Director of Onslow Suffolk, the developers of the scheme said: “We have been working hard behind the scenes with various winter sports bodies to attract major competitions to SnOasis. We can confidently say once complete it will host an ever growing number of international events, leading to it becoming a regular venue on the world winter sports circuit. These activities will undoubtedly bring further benefits and kudos to our country.”
For more information, visit snoasis.co.uk
Words by: Jo Fletcher
