Australia isn’t the first place that comes to mind when we’re talking snow, ski and ice. But that’s all about to change with the launch of Winter Sports World – our country’s first indoor snow resort.

Traditionally, if you want to carve up the slopes or frolic in the snow down-under, it involves a couple of hours drive and expensive ski passes. Of course, snow sport is very weather dependent and with our temperate climate, there are only a few months of the year which makes skiing and snow boarding viable.

But that is all due to change, with the plans to construct a world-class $300 million indoor snow resort called Winter Sports World.

The development, which is going to be an all-year-round game-changer for winter sports, is earmarked for a 2.35ha site at the corner of Jamison Road and Tench Avenue in Penrith, Western Sydney.

Massive Ski Slope

The facility will feature a 300-metre advanced ski slope, dedicated learn to ski, Winter Wonderland snow play, Olympic standard ice rink auditorium, ice climbing Mountaineer training, 4.5 star, 120-room hotel, conference and function rooms, 360-Degree fine dining restaurant, bar and cafes.​

According to the Winter Sports World website, the resort “will cater for a wide market – from the first-time snow experience, learn to ski, corporate team bonding, schools, tourists, through to recreational skiing and advanced training.”

Training Olympic Athletes

The centre will also be “a training facility for our Winter Olympians in alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, snow board, figure skating, ice hockey, speed skating, curling with the possibility of also catering for cross country and biathlon.”

Developer and Western Sydney resident Peter Magnisalis is the power-house behind this project, which is expected to generate 900 new ongoing jobs, attract 250,000 tourist visits and bring $80-million annually to Western Sydney.

“Underpinning this concept is an indoor ski centre with a ski slope designed to be one of the top 10 high-performance training centres in the world,” Mr Magnisalis said.

The cutting-edge architecture is designed by sustainable architecture studio Environa Studio, with the aim to be carbon neutral and to set new environmental benchmarks.

Construction is poised to start later this year, subject to planning approval, and is targeted to open in 2023.

Would you make a special visit to Penrith to visit the Winter Sports World? Tell us in the comments below.