NSW’s Snowy Mountains has long been an annual winter pilgrimage for the millions of Australian snow-loving adrenaline sneakers. Now, the emergence of a ski resort in Sydney opens the door for year-round action in the big smoke.
Snow in Australia is about as easy to come by as heat in Antarctica. Now, for a country that’s nearly 20% desert, tropics or just generally warm and sunny, this is unsurprising. Outside of the odd climactic anomaly, snow is typically reserved for the NSW Snowy Mountains and nearby peaks over the border in Victoria.
However, the proposed Winter Sports World in Sydney granted State Significant Development Application (SSDA) approval by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, will bring the snow to the NSW capital year-round.
This news was met with widespread euphoria from Australian snowsports fans and holidaymakers alike, with many now wondering where and where they can get their Sydney snow fix.
What we know about Sydney’s ski resort
Where will it be located?
Penrith
Located in western Sydney’s Penrith, Winter Sports World will set up camp in the Riverlink Tourism Precinct right by the Nepean River and next door to the region’s Cable Wake Park.
It’s far to say this pocket of western Sydney will soon be inundated with action seekers, whether it be on the water or the slopes.
When will it open?
TBC
Given the project was only greenlit in early 2024, it remains unclear at this stage when the site will be open for public use, although there are whispers it will be completed sometime in 2025. Developer Peter Magnisalis indicated the project’s timeline in a press release announcing the site’s SSDA approval.
“We need to take the time in this crucial preparation stage to ensure we get the project right before it can start to rise above the ground,” he said.
What features will Winter Sports World have?
When you consider the often scorching temperatures Penrith suffers through during most summers and even its relatively warmer winter climate, it’s incredible to think of the features offered by Winter Sports World.
According to its website, the $400 million facility will boast:
- A 300-metre advanced open run able to be utilised by experienced and amateur skiers and snowboarders alike, as well as a dedicated winter wonderland snow play area
- A competition venue for winter sports such as alpine skiing
- Ice climbing and crevasses outdoor rock climbing
- Restaurants and cafes with snow views
- A 4.5-star, 170-room hotel with conference and function rooms.
The multi-purpose venue will aim to masquerade its indoor feel through the inclusion of wonderful features such as water streams, pathway networks, landscaped plants and an 8-metre-tall feature that mirrors melting ice and mountains telling the stories of the First Nations people and how they lived on Dyarubbin.
In an attempt to mirror what avid skiers and snowboarders would experience in a natural environment, Winter Sports World will incorporate real snow into the facility.
Environmental considerations are a crucial element of the resort’s planning, with numerous sustainability elements incorporated into its design including; reducing embodied carbon, eliminating on-site fossil fuel use, minimising energy use and supplying energy with onsite renewable sources, amongst others.
It has been designed to be net-zero carbon ready by reducing embodied carbon; eliminating fossil fuel use on site; minimising energy use; supplying energy with onsite renewable sources; buying green power for remaining energy needs; and offsetting remaining emissions.
Now, for those wondering the resort won’t just benefit adrenaline junkies, with an expected $220 million annual injection into the Western Sydney economy inspired by an anticipated 1 million yearly visitors. Moreover, the resort could assist Australia’s efforts to improve its results at the Winter Olympics, a tournament in which, due to climactic conditions, the nations had varied success.
Is this the first ski resort of its kind?
In Australia it certainly is unprecedented. However, on a global scale, Ski Dubai is a similarly designed indoor ski facility in a hot, arid climate. In addition to Ski Dubai, plenty of other indoor ski resorts also exist.
