FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

We've received thousands of comments and a great many questions. Unfortunately it has not been possible to answer them all individually so we have created this list of the most commonly asked questions. We'll add new questions and answers to this section progressively.

Q: Where will the Snowpark be built? A: We are currently evaluating several options. Our criteria are that it must be easily accessible by road and public transport; there must be sufficient land available to create what will be a large facility; and it must be wanted by the local resident and business community. There may be advantages in developing the Snowpark on an existing slope.
Q: How much will it cost to build the Snowpark? A: We are currently envisaging a budget requirement of $50 million, however recent advances in snowmaking technology could reduce this considerably.
Q: How much will it cost to visit Snowpark? A: We will aim to make a visit to West Coast Snowpark comparable in price with other premium leisure activities.
Q: Can we invest in West Coast Snowpark Pty Ltd? A: There may be future opportunities for investment. We will ensure that Snowpark supporters are advised of any opportunities that arise.
Q: What sort of packages will be available? A: We envisage making Snowpark accessible for short term visits of 2 hours, half day and full day visits. We will also have multi-visit packages and ‘season’ passes available.
Q: Will there be a ski school? A: Yes. Group and individual tuition will be a major part of the Snowpark program.
Q: Will boarders be catered for? A: Absolutely! Our planning includes a range of rails, boxes and a half-pipe. The activities program will also include competitions and events specifically for boarders.
Q: How can I apply for a job at the Snowpark? A: It will be some time before we will be recruiting for operational positions, but we will certainly ensure that Snowpark supporters are given advance notice of any positions.
Q: How good will the snow quality be? A: Well you’ll still need to travel to get to knee deep fresh powder, but we recognise the importance of a quality skiing experience so we’re doing international research to find the best compromise between quality and cost.
Q: When will the Snowpark be open for business? A: Our current planning is targeting a 2010 opening.
Q: Are you looking for funding? A: Not at present, but funding will be required in stages as the project evolves.
Q: How much water will the Snowpark use? A: Don’t have the exact details as we haven’t settled on a snowmaking technology. There will be a filtering and recycling system to reduce water usage and we don’t anticipate this being a major issue.
Q: How much energy will the Snowpark need? A: This will depend on the snowmaking technique used and other construction and operational factors. Our initial estimates put energy consumption at about the level of two shopping malls.
Q: How many people will the Snowpark employ? A: At this stage we anticipate around 50 full time and 100 part time staff will be required to operate the Snowpark.