Suffolk’s SnOasis Sports Complex Gets Go-ahead

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Planning permission has been approved and Suffolk is set to be the home of the largest indoor ski slope in Europe – at 70m wide by 415m long (230’ x 1,365’), with a 100m (328’) vertical drop.  The 300 acre SnOasis complex will also have a 100m beginners slope, snow-tubing, ice skating, cross-country ski circuit, 100m bobsleigh push start, luge run, and 16m (52’) ice and dry climbing walls.  A half-pipe and plenty of other challenges will keep Boarders happy.  Other facilities will include a sports hall, cycle track, health and fitness centre, triathlon course, swimming pool, tennis and squash courts and rollerblade track.  Water sports will include windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, fishing and rowing. 

The anticipated 650,000 visitors per year will have the chance to recharge their batteries and relax in the 17 restaurants and bars, four-star hotel and conference centre, 200-bed hostel, retail outlets, entertainment dome, ten-pin bowling alley, cinema and nightclub.

The proposed location for the resort is on the site of an old gravel pit in Gt. Blakenham, Suffolk (just NE of Ipswich) at a cost of approx. £350 million. It is a mammoth project and there are still objections to the plans involving wildlife, environmental, and legal concerns.  It is estimated that once given the go-ahead construction of the complex will take about  30 months.  Energy will be provided from renewable, low-carbon sources and there are plans to plant 130,000 trees, provide habitats for wildlife, and use the facilities for educational purposes.  The resort will also provide thousands of much needed jobs.

If the location of SnOasis is out of the way for you – don’t worry;  plans also include putting in new roads and a rail link with Liverpool Street station. The British Ski Team will use the facilities and there are plans to eventually attract major international sports competitions and events.  It will provide a great place to learn to ski or keep ski muscles toned for next season.

In the meantime, if you plan to ski on real snow on real mountains don’t forget Ski Insurance.