Plans for Longest UK Indoor Slope Get the Go Ahead
5th January 2026
Last modified on January 12th, 2026
Plans for the slope at Rhydycar West in Wales have been approved by local councilors. Skiers & snowboarders have welcomed the move.
It is set to become the UK’s longest indoor real‑snow slope, measuring between 400m and 424m in length.
The snow centre will also include year‑round training facilities for skiing and snowboarding, designed to support GB and Welsh Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
The scheme includes a large indoor ski centre, a tropical‑style water park, indoor and outdoor activity zones, up to 418 hotel rooms, 30 woodland lodges, and around 830 parking spaces.
The application went to Merthyr Tydfil Council’s planning committee on Wednesday January 7th, following earlier direction from Welsh Government.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of the application subject to 53 conditions being met by developers.
The council leader, Brent Carter, dubbed the scheme a “game changer” for the town.
There were claps and cheers from the public as the vote went through.
Councillors previously voted against officer advice to refuse the scheme, and ministers then confirmed they would not intervene.
We reported on the moves earlier on PlanetSKI:
Computer generated image of Rhydycar West. Image c/o Rhydycar West.
The ski centre project first was first proposed in 2017 with planning permission put forward in 2023.
The Snow Centre in Manchester currently has the biggest indoor slope in the UK at 180m.
Marvel Limited, the developers behind the scheme, say the development would create 1,500 construction jobs.
1,200 from the local area and then 800 jobs at the centre itself.
While we are on the subject of skiing in Wales, last November PlanetSKI went skiing on real snow in Wales:
Skiing in Wales. Image c/o Mike Richards/PlanetSKI.
Skiing in Wales. Image c/o Mike Richards/PlanetSKI.
Skiing in Wales. Image c/o Mike Richards/PlanetSKI.
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