Work is reported to be progressing on what is set to be the new world's biggest indoor snow centre under construction in Shanghai.
The project, first announced nearly two years ago in 2018 and then called Winastar China now appears to have been re-christened Montigo Resort Shanghai but remains on track to open in Beijing winter Olympics Year, 2022, according to Montigo Resorts.
The complex will feature 90,000 square metres of indoor snow – around three times the size of SkI Dubai and taking the current 'world's biggest by snow area' title from another Chinese indoor snow centre, the 72,600 sqm ski and snow park currently known as: SUNAC Snow World Eternal Star Ice & Snow (Formerly run by the Wanda Group) which opened in 2017.
The Shanghai project is a joint venture between the Singapore-based property developer KOP, Shanghai Lujiazui Development Company and Shanghai Harbour City Development Company, and will aim to attract 3.2 million visitors a year, predominantly focusing on the domestic tourism market. It will be run by Majid Al Futtaim Group who operate Ski Dubai, Ski Egypt and currently have several other indoor snow centres in the Middle East under construction.
Montigo Resort Shanghai will have three ski slopes, including one described as "Olympic-standard" and there'll be more than 25 on snow attractions too. The complex will also include four hotels, at least one of which will provide slopeside accommodation. Along with shops, bars, restaurants and cafes the complex will also feature a spa complex, concert hall and a water park.
"This is KOP's largest project so far, and we are excited to work alongside our strong local partners to push new boundaries and introduce new and innovative concepts to the Chinese market. The large-scale mixed development will also offer opportunities for KOP to build new income streams, many of which are recurring in nature, for our sustainable growth going forward," said Ong Chih Ching, executive chairman and executive director of KOP.
Although it appears it will have the largest indoor snow surface by area it is unclear whether Montigo Resort Shanghai will also have the longest indoor snow slope yet. Currently two centres in France and Germany claim indoor slopes of over 60 metres in length which have remained the longest even though several centres in China that have opened in the past few years have much bigger slope areas and multiple indoor slopes.
Another complex under construction in Dubai, Meydan One (pictured below), is going for the 'longest indoor slope' title but this is believed to have decreased from an originally claimed 1.2km indoor slope to around 700 metres now, although that would still be the world's longest if completed. The complex was originally announced in 2015 and was due to start opening this year. It is currently reported to be opening next year but it is unclear if the ski slope will be part of the initial launch.
