Greek-Australian’s winter sports dream hits the slopes by 2028, as Australia is closer than ever to having its first indoor ski resort. The ambitious $700 million Winter Sports World project — to be built in Penrith, New South Wales, in western Sydney — has secured a landmark partnership with leading Chinese operator BonSki Group, widely regarded as the world’s biggest indoor-snow operator.
What the resort will offer
- The development will feature a 300-metre Olympic-class indoor ski slope, real (chemical-free) snow, snow-play zones, ski schools for beginners, and facilities suitable for advanced training too.
- A 4.5-star hotel with around 200 rooms, restaurants, cafés, and hospitality services — making it a complete winter-sports and leisure destination.
- The resort is designed as more than just a ski slope: snow-play areas, alpine-style dining, and even the possibility for winter-sports events and training.
Timeline & location
Planning approval for Winter Sports World was formally granted in early 2024 by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, giving the project a State-Significant Development rating.
Construction is expected to begin in 2025, with a targeted opening around 2028.
The resort will sit near the Western Sydney International Airport — set to open in 2026 — potentially boosting its international appeal.
Economic impact & vision
Project backers forecast that Winter Sports World will attract more than 1.5 million visitors per year, including both domestic and international tourists.
Up to 2,700 jobs are projected to be created during construction and once operation begins.
According to the resort’s founder Peter Magnisalis, the goal is to make Penrith — and by extension western Sydney — a globally recognised destination: “We’ve got the Opera House, we’ve got the Harbour Bridge, and soon we’ll have Winter Sports World.”
Wha sets winter sports world apart
Unlike traditional ski resorts in Australia’s mountains, Winter Sports World offers snow — and a full alpine-style experience — year-round, irrespective of weather. That means reliable snowfall, indoor skiing, and snow-play for all seasons. Winter Sports World+1
It aims to “democratise snow”: make winter-sports and snow experiences accessible to people who’ve never had the chance to see snow — nearly half of Australians, according to Magnisalis.
