Rotating ‘Snowtunnel’ to Bring Snow Parks to the City

An Australian technology company co-founded in 2022 has unveiled plans for the world’s first Snowtunnel Park, featuring a patented rotating snow tunnel that provides an “endless mountain” experience with real powder snow.

The first venue is planned to open in 2027. Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane have been identified as potential locations.

Snowtunnel Parks was established by inventor Darren Visser and co-founder Chris Northwood, with Scott Kessler as chief executive and Dan Portelli as chief operating officer.

Former Urbnsurf chief executive Damon Tudor has joined as regional partner for the Middle East and the US.

The company completed a proof-of-concept prototype in Melbourne in 2023, featuring a 10m-diameter tunnel.

Each venue would comprise more than 3000sq m of snow facilities, including the namesake Snowtunnel attraction at 12.5m high and 16m long.

The rotating tunnel has variable speed and provides more than 600sq m of constantly rideable surface area lined with real snow produced from water and air.

“Our mission is to unlock the magic of snow and ignite a passion for alpine experiences for everyone, all year round,” Kessler said.

The founders said Australia’s inconsistent snow seasons had been the motivation for bringing alpine experiences to capital cities.

The projected construction costs is between $20 million and $25 million per venue, less than half the cost of most surf parks and a fraction of typical indoor snow slope developments globally.

The company has partnered with global snow-making technology provider TechnoAlpin and engineering firm WSP.

Snowtunnel’s reception at the Indoor Ski & Snow Centre Summit in Bolzano, Italy, last month was overwhelmingly positive, according to the company.

Consult-CHE managing director Kirk Edwards, who was also the former chief executive of Village Entertainment, said that “rarely does one encounter a start-up with such potential”, predicting Snowtunnel “would explode across the globe in the coming years”.

The venues would operate year-round in accessible urban locations, requiring substantially less space than traditional indoor ski centres.

▲ The technology uses real snow to being an “endless mountain” experience to city locations.

Kessler drew parallels with the surf park sector, suggesting Snowtunnel would do for snow sports what wave parks have for surfing.

Australia’s surf park industry has attracted institutional capital, with developments ranging from $120 million to $400 million.

Rock climbing, skydiving and golf are also experiencing growing interest from new demographics through technology-based facilities in convenient, high-quality environments.

Snowtunnel Park facilities would include graded downhill slopes, snow play zones, equipment hire, instruction programs, and alpine food and beverage offerings.

The company is progressing an open capital round to secure its first site.