Australia to welcome rotating snowtunnel park
Snowtunnel Park is dubbed the world’s first indoor skiing structure that rotates, has its own downhill slopes, and lets users glide around it all year round. Set to inaugurate in 2027, the design team, consisting of snow and action sports entrepreneurs, plans to install the structure around Australia, starting in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. Its main feature is the rotating tunnel that recreates the movement and surface of real snow slopes. The tunnel is 12.5 meters high and 16 meters long, lined with real snow made from water and air. The snow is groomed into smooth ridges so that users can ski or snowboard continuously, as if on an endless slope.
The Snowtunnel Park that will open in Australia rotates with variable speed control. The surface moves under the riders at controlled speeds, allowing beginners, learners, and experienced users to ride safely. The rotating system creates what the designers call an endless mountain. Riders stay in place while the snow moves below them, making it possible to ski or board without needing a large mountain or long track. The Snowtunnel is built with a metal frame that holds the rotating inner cylinder. The inner tunnel is covered with panels that hold real snow, cooled by built-in refrigeration systems that keep the snow frozen. Snow is made daily using water and air through a snowmaking system provided by TechnoAlpin, a company that specializes in snow production technology.
all images courtesy of Snowtunnel
Continuous rideable snow surface without long slopes
Sensors and motors control the rotation speed of the Snowtunnel Park that is set to welcome skiers in Australia. The surface speed can be adjusted for different skill levels, and the tunnel structure is enclosed inside a large insulated building to control temperature and humidity. Specs-wise, each structure covers around 3,000 square meters of space, with the main one offering more than 600 square meters of rideable snow surface. The snow play and learning areas use an additional 900 cubic meters of snow. The park is designed to fit in city areas. It takes up less space than a traditional indoor ski center because the tunnel creates continuous motion without needing long slopes. The smaller space also reduces the amount of building materials and energy needed for cooling.
The Snowtunnel Park is designed for all ages and skill levels. It includes rental areas for ski gear, learning zones for first-time users, and a lounge with food and drinks. Visitors can watch others ride through glass viewing panels. Snowtunnel technology was developed and tested in Australia, with the prototype tunnel having a diameter of 10 meters. The design has been refined to reach its full 12.5-meter size for the first park. The founders plan to expand to cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane after its 2027 opening. The company also plans to set up its global headquarters in Australia and then open parks in other countries where natural snow is limited.
Snowtunnel Park is dubbed the world’s first indoor skiing structure
set to inaugurate in 2027, the design team plans to install the structure in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane
the rotating tunnel recreates the movement and surface of real snow slopes
view of the tunnel
the company also plans to set up its global headquarters in Australia
project info:
name: Snowtunnel Park
company: Snowtunnel | @snow_tunnel
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