Winter Sports World and the NSW Planning Department have unveiled the design of a spectacular new indoor snow resort set to open tentatively in the next few years. The $400 million Winter Sports World will be a home to winter sports enthusiasts and beginners alike, and offer a first-in-Australia snow park to enjoy. This January, the project was officially given approval by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, meaning the next step is preparing for construction to begin.
Set to be built in the heart of Penrith, visitors can expect a number of exciting features including a sprawling 300-meter indoor ski slope for skiers and boarders and a dedicated space for ice hockey, speed skating, alpine skiing and ice climbing. Meanwhile, there will also be a winter wonderland snow play area for younger guests to enjoy.
Winter Sports World will also feature a restaurant with stunning snow views all around to a 170-room hotel, conference and function rooms. The project is expected to boost the local tourism industry by generating around 1350 ongoing tourism jobs and could also contribute up to $220 million to the NSW economy annually. Access to international visitors will also be made easier by the opening of nearby Western Sydney International Airport, set to debut in 2026 and welcome 10 million passengers a year.
Once Winter Sports World is up and running, it is also expected to provide a relevant training ground for nine Olympic sports including alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, figure skating, ice hockey and speed skating.
The ambitious project has now been in development for eight years, but with the latest update, WSW developer Peter Magnisalis stated “For the first time […] WSW is no longer a pie-in-the-sky dream but a real project and on course to bring the snowfields to Sydney.’’ With approval secured, the next steps include more detailed designs and engineering plans, negotiating with suppliers and contractors, and the first stage of shovels in the ground: preparing the foundations and infrastructure works, such as a gigantic water tank for snow making (alongside vital but admittedly less cool stuff, like a car park). Magnisalis went on to say that “Our goal is for WSW to have the best quality snow in the world for an indoor snow resort.’’
Meanwhile, the complex will aim to reflect the icy interior; the exterior architecture of the resort has been designed by boutique Sydney architecture firm Collins & Turner to evoke the appearance of a blizzard. At night, it’ll be illuminated and the “ice shard’’ detailing will reflect the melting of glacial ice and mountains, helping to tell the stories of the First Nations people who live and protected the neighbouring Dyarubbin (Nepean River). On this point, WSW is keen to stress that Dharug nation representatives have been consulted on the project, and they’ll continue to collaborate with local First Nations artists and designers in the future.
In addition, WSW has been designed to be net-zero carbon ready; the site will aim to achieve this through eliminating fossil fuel use on site, using onsite renewables and green power, and offsetting their remaining emissions. There is, after all, less snow in a warming world, so their green credentials are a welcome step. We’ll keep you updated on the project’s progress, including any news of an opening date.