An exciting new snow entertainment complex is targeted for Houston, Texas

Visitors to The Grand Texas River Walk will be beamed into a grandiose complex that will be contain an impressive virtual Alpine and Arctic world. While no timeline has been identified to begin working on this grandiose project, it is expected to begin construction in the coming year for a 2009 opening said the company behind this project, Unlitimed Snow.

From the outside the building will look like a mountain with a snowy peak and a white water river through real grass alpine meadows with huts and trees and optional terraced apartments. The inside features a giant cave connecting the various parts of the building, themed indoor slopes, snow circuit and ice cave with 3D and photo mountain ranges with blue sky’s, snowy trees and huts and projected moving ice bergs, auroras, sun and clouds, a mountain setting with waterfalls for the indoor water park and spa / wellness facilities, colourful show lights within all play areas, snow and water related animatronics animals, themed food and beverage as well as special effects.

The Grand Texas River Walk will also incorporate outdoor lake, white water river, hotel, condominiums and a large alpine themed shopping mall. The spectacular Snow Mountain, a mixed use building with a combination of approximately 500 hotel and fractional condominium units, congress facilities. The indoor snow centre will be the first in the US, and of its type, worldwide. Other features include a snow circuit, indoor water park, an action factory and a multiplex cinema.

“Existing indoor snow centres lack a variety in slopes and activities and can therefore be considered a compromise, far from being ideal for any specific target group. The Snow Mountain however, features a one of a kind, new generation indoor snow centre providing a truly total winter sports experience for all ages and levels within an extensively themed winter world. It provides a continuous new learning and training opportunity effectively stimulating repeat visits.” Said Kees Albers of Unlimited Snow.

The complete Snow Mountain and overall Grand Texas River Walk Project can be serviced by its own environment friendly and efficient energy plant on bio oil. Any excess heat generated by cooling and refrigeration installations is used for heating other parts of the building including the indoor water park and spa / wellness facilities. The latest state of the art snow making equipment is capable of producing large amounts of 100% natural, environment friendly snow at any temperature. Among other things it saves a lot of energy, prevents much hated icy slopes and enables fresh snow at all times while also the melt water is recycled. Surplus snow making capacity can be used for creating an outside glacier on top of the Snow Mountain. Within the Arctic snow circuit real snow Igloos serve as adventurous bedrooms.

The five ski slopes are each vary in length from 160 to 180m (500-600 feet) and in vertical from 20 to 45m (65 – 150 feet). This allows for a variation in slope gradient from the gentlest beginner slope pitched at 7.5 degrees to steep expert runs with 25 degree gradients including slalom courses, big air and jumps. There will also be a World Cup standard half pipe and a fun park.

All slopes are serviced by special ski lifts, such as a conveyor lift for beginners, tow lifts for the half pipe, fun park and slalom slope and the new multi purpose Wie-Li lift especially servicing the intermediate slope with the advantage that also spectators can enjoy a ride to the top.

Underneath the ski slopes is a year round Arctic themed playground with all imaginable snow and ice related amusement throughout the year, such as a worldwide patented indoor snow circuit with bridges and tunnels for snowmobiles, snow karts, sled dogs, cross country skiing, biathlon and Nordic walking. This section also features real ice climbing, a high ropes course and real snow igloos as exciting overnight accommodation.

The long list of snow and non-snow attractions continues with everything from winter related virtual reality games and simulators to a real snow play area for creating snowmen, igloos and snow castles. The anticipated approximate number of visitors per year is 680.000 for the snow slopes, 500.000 for The Arctic and 1.175.000 for the snow related food & beverage facilities.

www.snow.biz