Patrick Thorne, Author at InTheSnow

The SnowWorld Neuss indoor centre, run by the same company that has partnered with the operator of the UK's Manchester and Hemel Hempstead indoors now centres, has unveiled one of its most significant expansions in 25 years, debuting three new Sunkid family attractions designed to turn Germany’s original indoor ski hall into a full‑day, year‑round leisure destination, even for visitors who never set foot on snow. Opened in 2001, SnowWorld Neuss pioneered indoor skiing in Germany and is home to what is still one of the Europe’s largest indoor slopes, offering 365‑day access to Alpine conditions just outside Düsseldorf. Its slopes are kept winter‑ready by ceiling‑mounted snow cannons and a patented indoor snowmaking system that produces fresh powder regardless of season or weather. For two decades, the venue has drawn skiers, snowboarders, school groups, and beginners from across Europe. Now SnowWorld has sought to broaden its appeal with a new outdoor Adventure Alm expansion, anchored by three attractions from Sunkid, the company famed for its conveyor lifts but which is also broadening its offering. Adventure Alm has added climbing zones, play structures, water features, and a beer garden. Now, its headline features are three new Sunkid rides: two SKYDIVE free‑flying gondolas and a 10‑metre Eagle Tower. These installations mark the first major outdoor ride investment at Neuss since the ski hall opened, and they extend a long‑standing partnership. SnowWorld already operates three Sunkid Moving Carpets inside the ski hall, serving its 4,000‑square‑metre beginner slope.. The Eagle Tower rises 10 metres above Adventure Alm, themed as a giant eagle’s nest overlooking the outdoor zone. Four two‑seat gondolas are mounted around the tower, each controlled entirely by the rider. Guests can choose a gentle float or spin rapidly through the air, adjusting speed and duration themselves. SnowWorld describes it as “an unforgettable flying experience, almost as if you were circling with the eagles in the mountains,” offering panoramic views across the Adventure Alm and the surrounding leisure area. The two parallel SKYDIVE installations deliver the expansion’s biggest adrenaline hit. Riders launch from a mast that lifts the gondola upward before releasing it entirely, allowing it to fly freely along a 50‑metre steel cable. The gondola reaches more than 35 km/h and generates close to 2G of force in the first pendulum arc before being caught and cycled again. The twin‑track layout means two riders can fly simultaneously, racing or simply watching each other’s flight. The system is certified to EN 13814, the European amusement‑ride safety standard, and can operate in self‑service mode with a token terminal. Sunkid notes that SKYDIVE is its only fully free‑flying attraction, distinguishing it from traditional swing‑based family rides. Outdoor mountain resorts often add summer attractions to offset the loss of winter revenue. SnowWorld Neuss faces no such seasonal pressure, its slopes never close. Instead, the challenge is expanding its year-round audience. The Adventure Alm is designed as a half‑day destination in its own right, offering enough activities for families who do not ski at all. With AlmGolf, a high‑ropes course, water play areas, climbing zones, and now three major Sunkid rides, SnowWorld aims to transform a two‑hour ski visit into a full‑day leisure trip.

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