Sweden's CF Møller Architects has just signed off on the new and spectacular Skipark 360°- set to be the largest indoor ski resort in the world. The winter park will house the only indoor ski slope to meet the requirements for hosting the World Cup, measuring 700 meters (2,297 feet) long and with a drop of 160 meters (525 feet). With an impressive height close to 135 meters (443 feet), the sporting facility will create a striking landmark, positioned in a forest located in Balsta, 45 minutes outside Stockholm.
The man-made ski resort is designed to ensure that there's still plenty of skiing to be had during bad winters and it will also allow the country's elite athletes to train continuously all year round.
Obviously the downhill ski slope will be the resort's main attraction, however the facility will also feature a 3.5-kilometer (2.2-mile) cross country skiing tunnel; arenas for biathlons, ice hockey, bandy and figure skating; a snowboarding snow park; restaurants; shops; spa; hotel and conference facilities with panoramic views.
The park may be the biggest in the world, but the architects also hope to make it the greenest. It is envisioned that the building will be 100 percent self-sufficient, by incorporating renewable energy from sources such as geothermal heating, solar power, wind power and hydro power.
Skipark 360° is estimated to cost between 1.5 to 2 billion Swedish kroner ( US$219- 292 million), with work to start at the end of 2013.
