Plans for UK’s Longest Indoor Ski Slope Get the Go Ahead

14th March 2025

Last modified on March 16th, 2025

It had been thought the development in Merthyr Tydfil in Wales would be rejected after an official report failed to support the project. The local council ignored the advice and the Welsh Government will now consider the plans.

The development, called Rhydycar West, would include a snow centre, a tropical waterpark and an activity centre, all indoors, while there would be an activity area outdoors.

There would also be as many as 418 hotel rooms, up to 30 lodges and potentially 830 parking spaces.

The plans have been endorsed by GB Snowsport and Snowsport Cymru Wales.

However councilors were recommended to reject the planning application from Marvel Ltd.

Opponents said the application was contrary to planning policy.

They claim it would badly affect the landscape and historic designations and could damage the canal and affect public rights of way.

There were also worries about congestion, pollution, noise, litter, anti-social behaviour and destruction of natural habitat.

However the local council has backed the planning application in a meeting this week.

At the meeting, members voted against the report’s recommendation and instead voted to support the proposal.

Ali Tyebkhan, Rhydycar West’s chief executive, said the decision was a “huge step forward” for the development.

“As the UK’s national centre of excellence for snowsport, Rhydycar West will be the home and training HQ of the Welsh and GB National, Paralympic and Olympic teams, while boosting local businesses, the town centre, and cultural attractions.

“Above all, we are deeply grateful for the overwhelming support we have received, thousands of messages, letters, a public petition in support with over 2800 signatures in just under a week.

“Thank you to the people of Merthyr, local businesses, neighbouring councils and Merthyr’s MS and MP for believing in this project,” he added.

The centre would be built on a site southwest of the centre of Merthyr Tydfil, just off the A470 dual carriageway, one of the main north-south roads through Wales.

We reported on the recommendation to refuse the application earlier:

Planned artificial slope in Wales set to be rejected

There was reaction to the rejection from PlanetSKI readers:

Stuart Marlow – Absolute fools! This would bring so many benefits to the area, crazy to refuse permission.

Chrissie Drake – Ooooo nooooo this is so needed

Tim Lowe – Typical Wales….computer says NO

Ian Colton – Probably didn’t get enough of a ” backhander” to say yes to the project…

So short sighted of a typical council who have an fantastic Welsh ski team making great inroads with the ever decreasing funding available to them…

Carl Taylor – it’s Merthyr Tydfil FFS. It has had piles of coal etc for decades and they claim this is a blot.

Nick Davies – Classic… economic and social benefit, but councillors can’t see it and claim a blight on the landscape !!

Johnny Hanvey – So it’s not just Northern Ireland councillors that say no to something that would benefit the community. I’m sure if the planning application was for housing it would have been approved a long time ago.

Image c/o Rhydycar West

The longest indoor real snow ski slope in the UK is Chill Factore in Manchester which is 180m long.

The other main UK indoor slopes are between 150m and 170m long.

The plans will now be referred to Welsh government ministers for further consideration.

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