Fairfax County is looking to open a year-round indoor ski and snow facility.
With the cherry blossoms blooming and the birds chirping, we all know that ski season is coming to a close. However, you don’t have to be sad for long because it looks like Fairfax County will soon provide us the opportunity to ski and snowboard all year long.
The Fairfax County Sports Tourism Task Force released a subcommittee report detailing an opportunity for the county to partner with SnowWorld USA and build the United States’ first indoor ski and snow sports facility right in Fairfax County.
The year-round ski facility would be built on a landfill in Lorton and use land in the Occoquan Regional Park near the Workhouse Arts Center. It would feature downhill skiing and a half-pipe, allowing the center to serve as a year-round training center and potentially host nationally televised competitions. The facility will also include a 100-room hotel and restaurants for anyone visiting the area. In fact, Fairfax County predicts that the center will become a major tourist destination for the area with an estimated annual visitation of 350,000 to 400,000 people, bringing in $25 million in direct economic impact for the county.
SnowWorld USA is an affiliate of Netherlands-based SnowWorld and is looking to build 10 similar facilities across the United States. According to the Fairfax County Sports Tourism Task Supervisor Pat Herrity, “SnowWorld clearly expressed interest in doing this and they clearly have experience doing this around the world.”
Although much of the planning is in its early stages, construction is expected to take 18 to 24 months. So, within two years we might be able to ski and snowboard in Fairfax County year-round.
Let us know if you’re excited for the potential snow facility and how you plan on celebrating!
