A PR agency has published information and artistic renderings on the Trojena ski area that Saudi Arabia is planning to build and for which it has already been awarded host status for the 10th Asian Winter Games in 2029.
Called Trojena, first announced several years ago now, and part of a larger carbon-neutral future-living city project called Neon, the ski resort is being built in some of Saudi Arabia's highest mountains, which see overnight temperatures below freezing at times in winter and very occasional dustings of snow.
The media release confirms that the plan is to offer year-round skiing at the site, which has already secured two Marriott hotels and many other international corporations as operators, using a combination of dry ski slope surface, all-weather snowmaking machines and, when cold enough to operate, conventional high-efficiency snowmaking machines.
"Scheduled for completion in 2026, the resort will include year-round skiing (3 months on snow and year-round synthetic "dry" skiing), retail stores, restaurants, luxury mansions, apartments and luxury hotels including serviced apartments operated by prestigious operators. By 2030, the tourist attraction is expected to host 700,000 annual visitors and be home to as many as 7,000 residents," the press statement says, without noting if construction has begun.
The press release also notes that the roof structure of the village, will house 2 kilometres of the planned 36 kilometres of ski slopes.
"During three months of winter, the low temperatures in the 2,400 metre high altitude Ski Village allow for snow making, which is also offset by the natural snowfall. The Trojena snowmaking system will be one of the most advanced snowmaking systems in the world and comprise an integrated dual system using both traditional and all-weather snowmaking systems, using 100% renewable energy, incorporating heat recovery systems for nearby developments, maximising water recovery and re-use and using water drawn from renewable energy powered desalination with zero brine discharge to the sea," the statement continues, adding, "Over the last three winter seasons snowmaking technologies from all the major snowmaking equipment providers have been tested to assess quantum, quality and longevity of snow produced; energy and water consumption and reliability of equipment to ensure best value from both a performance and sustainability standpoint."
