The proposal to build Australia’s first indoor snow resort has received State Significant Development Application (SSDA) approval this week by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, following an 8 year planning and approvals process.

The indoor snow resort will comprise a 300+ metre advanced open run for skiers and snowboarders, as well as learn-to-ski runs and a dedicated snow play area. The building will act as competition venue for snow sports and include spaces for ice climbing and crevasse outdoor rock climbing, dining options, and a 170-room spa hotel with conference and function rooms.

Collins and Turner were appointed design architects for the facades and public domain of the project, following a design excellence completion organised by the NSW Government architect in early 2022.

All electric: In a world first, Winter Sports World has been designed to be net-zero carbon ready by reducing embodied carbon; eliminating fossil fuel use on site; minimising energy and water use; supplying energy with onsite renewable sources; buying green power for remaining energy needs; and offsetting remaining emissions.

The facade design was inspired by the shimmering, ephemeral, kinetic energy of snow clouds and integrates extensive renewable energy generation within a sculptural brise-soleil that also provides shade to north facing areas as part of a high performance system. At night, the more than 300m+ long northern facade to Jamison Road will glow softly with kinetic lighting giving the appearance of soft snow-fall, while the public areas and lower-level facades will feature clear and translucent glazed treatments evocative of melting ice.

Dharug nation representatives have been extensively consulted on the Winter Sports World development and will collaborate with local First Nations artists and designers throughout the development of the landscape design and include features such as water streams, pathway networks, landscaped plantings and message sticks to celebrate the stories of the First Nations people and Dyarubbin – the Nepean River.

Winter Sports World is expected to generate more than 1350 new ongoing tourism jobs once open and inject more than $220 million a year into the local economy with around 1 million visitors annually.