NEWS: Massive "Ski Resort" planned for Kissimmee, Florida

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/brinkmann-on-business/os-sky-ramp-xero-gravity-resort-20150211-post.html?utm_content=buffera2d90&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

A team of developers unveiled a proposal for a $309 million Kissimmee area resort Wednesday, including a “14-story ski and snowboard mountain with nine snow tubing lanes” and surfing pool.

 

Xero Gravity Action Sports LLC said it is planning to develop the Action Sports & Entertainment Resort, near the the intersection of U.S. 192 and State Road 535.

 

The company said the large resort would offer an alternative to "ride-oriented theme parks." It anticipates one million guests annually and 1,000 employees.

 

The location is a previously wooded area just east of the Target store at 4795 West Irlo Bronson (U.S. 192). It is about four miles east of Celebration.

 

Xero Gravity said in the release that a 75-acre site is under contract with Central Florida Investments, Inc., parent company of Orlando-based Westgate Resort. But David Siegel, founder and CEO of Westgate, said that's not true, and he has only had conversations with Xero Gravity.

 

Larry Walshaw is CEO and founder of Xero Gravity. He said in a phone call Wednesday that the new project had been kept secret during planning phases.

 

The company expects to employ about 1,000 people at the resort. The developers said they had a study by Texas-based Impact Data Source that projects about $1.97 billion taxable sales over a ten year period.

 

“We will be hosting televised pro and amateur competitions. Think X-games, with sports shows and clinics, and we will have daily competitions at all venues for visitors who like to compete,” Walshaw said.

 

Here’s the additional features of the resort, as outlined in the news release:

• 250-room Hyatt branded hotel with roof top pool and bar
  
• International Action Sports Hall of Fame
  
• 25,000 square foot indoor/outdoor skateboard park
  
• USA-BMX sanctioned race track
  
• Two “skydiving pods”
  
• 20,000 square foot indoor dodge-ball trampoline arena
  
• Challenge course, rock climbing up to 140 feet and zip lining throughout the park
  
• A “rapid river” and two 14-story waterslides by WhiteWater
  
• 2,000 seat amphitheater
  
• Swimming pools, cabanas, day spa, and more restaurants

 

Other executives that will be on the new project include Jim Hunt, COO, and Steve Pollack, senior VP of asset and development management.

 

Pollak said the company is still investigating the property involved, in the “due diligence” phase and is having discussions with the Osceola County regarding incentives and financing.

Source: The Orlando Sentinel

Source: The Orlando Sentinel

The prophecy of Blizzard Beach is coming to pass!

^If that prophecy includes giant Yetis wandering all over the place, than I am in complete support of this particular prophecy.

dt

Sounds eerily similar to the failed Gotcha Glacier project that was supposed to be built in Anaheim.

http://snowboarding.transworld.net/news/gotcha-glacier-to-be-completed-in-2002/

Not holding my breath, but I do believe in these indoor ski places and I hope it gets built!

^ Did I miss something, this one looks outdoors. I just don't see it happening though. Oh well.

Sounds eerily similar to the failed Gotcha Glacier project that was supposed to be built in Anaheim.

 

http://snowboarding.transworld.net/news/gotcha-glacier-to-be-completed-in-2002/

I had never heard of that before!

This does sound really similar to that though.

I am going to assume this will use a technology like Snowflex. Google it. Liberty University has a ski complex made of this.

I really like the proposed selection of outdoor attractions. I'd go there for those alone! Who needs skiing in Florida?

^I'd live there if it meant that I could ski in Florida.

Here is the latest Snowflex project that's located in Turkey:

I don't understand indoor ski resorts, Mountain resorts already get easily overcrowded so I can't imagine something even more cramped. I just hope it turns out better than this disaster:

Mountain resorts already get easily overcrowded

So do amusement parks....

This will be perfect for Orlando. I'm loving these unique attractions that are on the way. This ski resort will be awesome. They'd need multiple lifts, several surface lifts for beginners and atlas one fixed grip or detachable chairlift. (preferably a quad or six pack for capacity.) So excited to see what happens!

I am going to assume this will use a technology like Snowflex. Google it. Liberty University has a ski complex made of this.

I haven't heard of Snowflex until now. Sounds cool! Does it really ride like snow, or manmade snow? I like the idea of having a sports center with ziplines, water slides, ski area, trampolines, etc. Hopefully it becomes a reality and TPR can give us an opening day report!

I am going to assume this will use a technology like Snowflex. Google it. Liberty University has a ski complex made of this.

What is your basis for assuming using someone like Snowflex? They could make there own snow like they do in Dubai.

I don't understand indoor ski resorts, Mountain resorts already get easily overcrowded so I can't imagine something even more cramped. I just hope it turns out better than this disaster:

It's now owned by the group that operates Mall of America & West Edmonton Mall and hoping to open in 2016.

I am going to assume this will use a technology like Snowflex. Google it. Liberty University has a ski complex made of this.

 

What is your basis for assuming using someone like Snowflex? They could make there own snow like they do in Dubai.

Isn't Dubai indoors? This is outdoors according to the artwork. I assume they are using the soil from the excavation of the lakes/ponds shown to build up the hill much like they do to build the land for overpasses and so on. There were lots of talk of complexes like this right beforethe 2008 collapse. The Dallas area was touted for one. As for performance, seems like it's very close to the real stuff. I figure this is about as close to cost effective that something like this can get.

It seems to host several competitions geared toward snowboarding and extreme games. With the economy better, I think we'll see these pop up more. Search Snowflex on Youtube, plenty out there.

If this is really outdoors then it's dumb and will never happen. The weather here is terrible for outdoor activities most of the year.

If this is really outdoors then it's dumb and will never happen. The weather here is terrible for outdoor activities most of the year.

The artwork clearly shows jumps on a slope outside. Snowflex uses a water mist to lubricate the surface, it's immune to hot, now the user may not be but simple waterproof ,thin clothing makes it feasible.

I'm not advocating for or against, I just know that this product is out there and it was coming before the money spigot got cut off in 08. Now that the dollars are starting to drip again, here come the proposals and likely revivals of pie in the sky proposals. I see this more suited for Pigeon Forge and Branson where man made snow is still a struggle but the climate less intense than Orlando, but it's not my money.

Amazingly, this webpage is still active for the Dallas area snowflex project that was proposed in 07

http://www.bearfireresort.com/

Not very clear if it is indoor or outdoor but It looks like a building to me. Of course the roof could be used as the ski slope. I think it would be nuts to make it an outdoor attraction. One of the draws in my opinion would be escaping the Summer heat.

Wow...People think it's going to be outdoors? I thought people knew that it has to be below freezing to even start snowmaking. Most resorts actually wait til' the temps hit 24 degrees for snowmaking.

It's not possible to blast snow in Florida. The only possible way to do this is to have it indoors. I think it's a fabulous idea. Skiing has a HUGE fanbase. Many people live to ski, especailly up here in New England. This will bring a whole new concept and group to Orlando. I'm really hope this becomes a reality.

Not very clear if it is indoor or outdoor but It looks like a building to me. Of course the roof could be used as the ski slope. I think it would be nuts to make it an outdoor attraction. One of the draws in my opinion would be escaping the Summer heat.

Looks like a building to me too. But perhaps the roof will be the fake snow material as well.

Wow...People think it's going to be outdoors? I thought people knew that it has to be below freezing to even start snowmaking. Most resorts actually wait til' the temps hit 24 degrees for snowmaking.

It's not possible to blast snow in Florida. The only possible way to do this is to have it indoors. I think it's a fabulous idea. Skiing has a HUGE fanbase. Many people live to ski, especailly up here in New England. This will bring a whole new concept and group to Orlando. I'm really hope this becomes a reality.

You're missing the point. It's a fake snow surface. The problem is it's too hot, humid, and stormy in Florida to make this work. Indoor could work, outdoor would be miserable!

Not very clear if it is indoor or outdoor but It looks like a building to me. Of course the roof could be used as the ski slope. I think it would be nuts to make it an outdoor attraction. One of the draws in my opinion would be escaping the Summer heat.

It does look like a building with slope on the roof. Sorry for thinking it may use fill to build up a hill. In any case, if it's outside in Florida, it's a safe bet it's a synthetic surface like the one i've referenced. Good luck to them on getting it built. Right now, it's nothing more than an idea with a picture.

Wow...People think it's going to be outdoors? I thought people knew that it has to be below freezing to even start snowmaking. Most resorts actually wait til' the temps hit 24 degrees for snowmaking.

It's not possible to blast snow in Florida. The only possible way to do this is to have it indoors. I think it's a fabulous idea. Skiing has a HUGE fanbase. Many people live to ski, especailly up here in New England. This will bring a whole new concept and group to Orlando. I'm really hope this becomes a reality.

 

You're missing the point. It's a fake snow surface. The problem is it's too hot, humid, and stormy in Florida to make this work. Indoor could work, outdoor would be miserable!

Fake snow? If this is a real indoor ski resort, it would have real man made snow like all the other indoor resorts. I've never heard of a fake snow surface before. Can you explain?