The need for North American and European skiers to travel to the Southern Hemisphere for summer skiing seems to be disappearing.
Artificial ski slopes are trying to become the next big alternative after indoor ski facilities began popping up all over the world in recent years. These plastic surfaces are being built in several places worldwide because of their ability to simulate skiing on snow.

Neveplast, an Italian producer of artificial ski surfaces, recently won an international bid to construct a 350-metre downhill ski run in Sátoraljaùjhely, Hungary.
The company was awarded the contract because its product reportedly had a grip on skis that eliminated the previously common problem of lateral slipping. In addition, the surface is smooth enough so that users don’t get stuck or injure themselves falling and regular skis and snowboards can be used on it.
Dave Amirault with Freeskier Magazine produced this video while experimenting at Woodward at Copper:

The Woodward at Copper ski facility in the American Rockies installed an artificial surface made by British producer Snowflex for summer ski camps its launching this year.
With a combination of indoor Snowflex surfaces, outdoor snow-covered slopes, and other recreational facilities in it’s Colorado location, Woodward at Copper should become an attraction for skiers of all ages.

• Snowdomes: Read related news stories by clicking here.