An indoor ski slope and hotel answers the desire in hot desert regions for more diversified seasons, including a cool snow environment.
The ski resort embraces the strongest of contrasts: desert meets ice, solar power generates snow, fire touches water, tradition versus innovation and combines these polar opposites into a unique architectural proposal. A quasi-outdoor atmosphere is achieved through light entering the building, filtered and diffused through a series of membranes. A changing artificial sky with a serene, light and ephemeral atmosphere enhances the indoor experience and disguises the technological nature of the environment. The boundaries between roof, wall and ceiling disappear as they would in nature.
The sports-driven venue provided an environment for the active lifestyle of visitors. It offers a total skiable distance of 5 km with slopes for beginners and experts. Ski pistes comfortably accommodate 2,400 users at one time, on about 270,000m2 of skiing surface.
A solar plant proves the technological availability of renewable energy sources for large-scale developments.
