Thanks to the indefatigable spirit of American capitalism, the snow-starved residents of Central Florida might eventually have a ski hill all their own. A company called Xero Gravity Action Sports is planning to spend $309 million on a sports facility in Orlando that will include, among many other things, a "14-story ski and snowboard mountain with nine snow tubing lanes," according to the Orlando Business Journal. Rather than an indoor solution, it looks like Xero Gravity plans to use a year-round surface called Snowflex. The company's website says the ambitious "multi-faceted action sports and entertainment complex" is coming in early 2018, but the Orlando Sentinel reported that Xero Gravity doesn't technically own the 75-acre site yet.
Apparently, it took a call from a reporter to remind the current landowner, Westgate CEO David Siegel, that the parcel is under contract, but plans for the sport complex look like they are well under way.
Just some of the features touted for the final project:
· 150,000 square-foot snow mountain that will be 140 feet tall
· Indoor snow zone for snowball and snowman activities
· 30,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor skate park
· 14 story high double extreme water slide
· Up to 140-foot high rock climbing tower
· 250 room hotel with rooftop bar and observation area
· 3 surf and boogie board wave machines
· Indoor trampoline and dodgeball arena
The list really does go on, and on.
Xero Gravity bills the complex as an alternative to "typical 'thrill ride' and 'dark ride' amusement parks" with the potential to draw 1 million guests per year. Right now, according to the Orlando Sentinel, the company still is investigating the 75-acre site, doing its due diligence and discussing incentives and financing with local officials.
· Xero Gravity Actions Sports [Official site]
· Breaking: $309M extreme sports resort planned for C. Fla. [Orlando Business Journal]
· Massive ski ramp proposed for new $309M Kissimmee resort [Orlando Sentinel]
· Get Stoked Boston, Indoor Ski Facility Coming Soon! [Curbed Ski]
· $215M Hard Rock Hotel & Indoor Ski Resort Planned for Dallas [Curbed Ski]