Already home to an indoor skydiving facility and an Olympic white-water rafting stadium, Penrith is on its way to welcoming Australia’s first indoor snow resort after the development received official endorsement at a local council meeting in May 2021.

After getting the green light from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment in January 2024, the team expects to start construction in the first half of 2025 – including an underground water tank for snow making – with an estimated opening date of late 2027 or early 2028.

The new attraction, Winter Sports World, is set to include a 300-metre ski run for advanced skiers, as well as a 4.5-star hotel, a revolving restaurant and ice-climbing facilities.

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Owners say the indoor alpine resort will attract 250,000 visitors annually, providing 900 ongoing tourism jobs. Developer Peter Magnisalis says it will be positioned close to the new international airport at Badgerys Creek (due to open in 2026). “It will be the first indoor snow resort and alpine winter attraction in Australia,” he said in a statement.

Winter Sports World is planned to be built on the site of a current 2.35-hectare horse paddock on the banks of the Nepean River. Developers are working with architecture practice Environa Studio to design a carbon-neutral resort with solar power and roof water harvesting to make the snow.

“I want people who have never skied to come here to learn,” says Magnisalis, who says the resort will be an affordable option for first-time skiers. “We will have perfect snow under perfect skies all year round, and Winter Sports World will be the coolest place to hang out on those scorching 40-degree summer days in Penrith.”

So far, the $400 million development has been over 10 years in the making.

Keep your eyes on the Winter Sports World Instagram or the website's FAQ pagefor up-to-date information on construction and open date.

wintersportsworld.com.au

This article was first published on May 25, 2021, but has been updated to reflect new information.