FAQ's

What is SnOasis?

SnOasis is the world’s first indoor winter sports resort. It is a destination leisure resort that will be built near Ipswich in Suffolk, approximately  70 miles to the North-East of London. The land on which the resort will be built is the size of 200 football pitches.

Who is behind SnOasis?

The development company behind the SnOasis resort is Onslow Suffolk Limited. 

Who will operate SnOasis?

To be confirmed at a later date…

Why is it being built where it is?

There are three main reasons why SnOasis is being built where it is. Firstly, in consideration of the construction specifications required, in order for an indoor slope to qualify under FIS rules for international slalom races (one of the original goals of the concept at inception), there has to be a vertical drop of 100m. There are very few places where construction of a one hundred metre high building is possible with the specifications of the entire resort considered. As the site is a quarry, we can have 50m in the ground and 50m out of the ground.

Secondly it’s the best possible use for a brownfield site. Thirdly, the location is perfect due to the transport hubs available. The resort’s own train station connects to London’s Liverpool Street station in 1 hour 10 minutes. It is 40 minutes by road to Stansted, 20 miles from Harwich and 55 minutes from Stratford Interchange Station which brings people from Europe.

How long will it take to build and when will it be open?

SnOasis will take three years to build and is scheduled to open in the spring 2014.

Can I visit the site?

For health and safety reasons, the site itself is closed to the public. We envisage opening a visitor’s centre in the spring 2011. 

When it is open will I be able to stay there?

SnOasis will have a number of accommodation options for guests including a 350 bedroom 4 star hotel, 350 chalets, 100 apartments and 200 bed sports hostel accommodation in the Winter Sports Academy.

What activities and attractions will be on offer when it opens?

• Ski slope 415m long x 70m wide with a 100m vertical drop;

• Nursery slope 100m long x 30m wide with a 6-degree pitch;

• Ice rink 60m x 30m;

• 400m speed skating track & short track;

• 100m bobsleigh push start track;

• 16m ice climbing wall;

• 1.5km cross-country dry ski run;

• Multi purpose sports hall;

• Health and fitness centre;

• Triathlon course;

• Outdoor sports pitches;

• 1.5km rollerblading track;

• Swimming pool;

• Tenpin bowling; 

• Tennis;

• Water sports;

• Sports academy with 200 beds and medical facilities;

• 350 room 4 star hotel & conference centre;

• 100 one and two bedroom apartments;

• 350 self-catering 2, 4 and 6 bed ski lodges;

• Shops, Bank and a Post Office; non-denominal place of worship

• Nightclub;

• Toboggan/bobsleigh themed fun ride;

• 17 bars & restaurants;

• Health Spa & Therapy Centre;

• Exhibition facilities;

• Crèche;

• Skatepark;

• Entertainment dome (to include: cinema, bowling, nightclub, community theatre)

• Ice Museum.

How much will it cost to visit SnOasis?

The price to visit SnOasis and to partake in all the activities on offer will entirely depend on the guest’s length of stay and the activities they choose to do. Guests will be able to visit as a day visitor or extended stay visitor, and the pricing will be versatile to individual demand. At this current time, the pricing strategy is not finalized, however the intention is to be able to offer most budgets an affordable experience.

How much is it costing to build SnOasis?

£300 million.

How can I apply for a job at SnOasis?

Disregarding the employment opportunities during the construction phase, when it is open, (in 2014) SnOasis will have approximately 1,800 full time employees involved in many different type of jobs requiring a wide range of different skills - from hotel/resort management to sports training and administration. Many of the jobs will be filled by people living in the region.

Whilst we will welcome applications for the resort and the many jobs that will require to be filled, we are not in a position to respond to any job enquiries at this time. In order to keep on top of any opportunities that arise, please check in with the website to update yourself.

Isn’t SnOasis going to cause a traffic nightmare when it opens?

The Highways Agency, Suffolk County Council and The Local Authority have been convinced through planning stages and the public enquiry, that traffic management will not be a problem.

I’m concerned about the environmental impact of SnOasis. What has SnOasis put in place to combat environmental concerns?

Sustainability is vitally important to SnOasis. At present the SnOasis resort is will be 60% sustainable through renewable energy. It will end up being 100% sustainable.

All ecological matters have been dealt with to the satisfaction of the appropriate bodies.