Posted on 05 December 2018
The Daily Telegraph reports that recently approved plans will make the Swindon Ski Centre, opening in 2020, one of the UK’s largest indoor snow slopes. The project, headed by the already famous Snow Centre will be built within the existing North Star Village, and when complete will offer 500,000 square feet of retail, dining and leisure facilities. The snow slopes are an added feature to many existing leisure choices.
Swindon Ski Centre
Seven Capital, the property development company heading the project, projected the construction cost to be £270 million. Featuring two pistes covering 15,800 square meters, and a sledging fun zone, it will be the UK’s 7th indoor real snow facility and join a growing trend for alternative sports that 20 years ago, just weren’t available in the UK.
As proven in Snow Centre’s success, as well as hosting families looking for light-hearted fun, many visitors go to brush up on their skills before they holiday in the French Alps, the most popular destination for UK skiers.
Qualified professionals will sell on-site lessons for skiers of all levels, and the targeted clientele is several places within south-west England including Bristol, Cardiff, and Bath.
Sister Project in Hemel Hempstead
The snow slope of North Star Village will complement its sister site in Hemel Hempstead. Founded in 2007, it is the closest indoor real snow facility to London. Hence it hosts 230,000 visitors every year.
Swindon’s slope will beat their slope by 10 metres and also offer lessons and facilities to snowboarders and skiers. To relax after a physical workout on the slopes, their on-site bar and kitchen are alpine themed to replicate an après ski experience.
At a recent press conference, Ian Brown, Snow Centre’s managing director said…
“We are delighted to be able to open a second real snow indoor slope and look forward to building on the success we’ve seen at our existing centre in Hemel Hempstead.
A few opportunities for new ski facilities have presented themselves over the last few years, but for several reasons have not progressed beyond ideas.
Swindon is a fantastic location, and we are thrilled that Seven Capital has been able to make this a reality.”
Facilities at North Star Village in Swindon by 2020
- 75m and 175-metre slopes
- 12 screen cinema
- 19 lane bowling alley
- 6200 sq. ft of food and beverage establishments
- 46,000 sq. ft of retail space
- Trampolining
- Oasis indoor themed water park and pool
- 130-bed hotel
- 16,000 square feet of gym facilities
- 900 car parking spaces
Location of Swindon Ski Centre
Further Reading
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