A new exciting £21 million attraction is in the works at the former Surf Snowdonia site, promising to bring beaches and indoor skiing to the location. The planned development is set to inject life back into the iconic site, which closed down last year after eight years of operation in the Conwy Valley. Global Shred Ventures, a Windsor-registered company, is at the helm of the project, intending to transform the world’s first inland artificial surf lagoon into a multi-faceted leisure destination.
The ambitious plans involve infilling part of the existing 300-metre lagoon to create two sandy “beaches” and new holiday lodges. The remaining lagoon space will be reconfigured to offer various surfing conditions using advanced wave technology suitable for surfers of all levels. The redevelopment will also see the conversion of the current Adrenaline Indoors building into the “Snow Tunnel”, a year-round venue catering to snowboarders and skiers. These proposals have been refined through a collaboration between Adventure Parc Snowdonia and Global Shred Ventures, with expectations of attracting nearly 75,000 visitors annually and generating 75 jobs.
A pre-application consultation process is now open for public feedback until December 23, with a public meeting scheduled for December 4 at the Hilton Garden Hotel in Dolgarrog. According to Cadnant Planning, a part of the existing surfing lagoon will be filled to create space for new holiday lodges and beach areas, resulting in a more efficient layout to accommodate increased visitor capacity. The Snow Tunnel is described as a cutting-edge skiing and snowboarding facility that will offer a year-round snow sports experience, irrespective of weather conditions, using state-of-the-art technology.
Surf Snowdonia originally opened in 2015 with the aim of becoming a premier destination, supported by £4 million of Welsh Government funding. However, operational challenges with the surf technology led to its closure in 2023. Despite facing setbacks related to contamination and site location, the Ainscough family, who own the site, remained committed to revitalizing it into a world-class attraction. The redevelopment plans now include Wavegarden’s renowned “The Cove” surfing technology, introducing two distinct surfing zones and new holiday lodges to enhance the visitor experience.
In addition to the surfing and snow activities, Adventure Parc Snowdonia already offers a surf academy and bike pump track while Zip World has taken over the indoor activity facility earlier this year. The redesigned surf lagoon is projected to cater to 65,000 sessions annually, with the Snow Tunnel anticipating up to 40,000 sessions. Transport experts foresee reduced traffic impacts as visitors are likely to utilise both facilities, with a majority expected during the summer months. Comments on the proposed development are being accepted until December 23 via email to [email protected].
The comprehensive redevelopment plans for the Surf Snowdonia site represent a significant investment in transforming the former surfing destination into a thriving year-round leisure hub. With a focus on offering diverse activities for visitors of all interests and skill levels, the project is poised to breathe new life into the iconic location, creating employment opportunities and attracting a substantial number of visitors annually. The upcoming changes are set to redefine the site as a must-visit destination for adventure enthusiasts and holidaymakers alike.