£21m surfing and 'snow tunnel' attraction with beaches planned for old Surf Snowdonia site

A planned £21m surfing and snow attraction will “bring life back” the closed Surf Snowdonia site, developers believe. Ambitious new proposals have been announced for the world’s first inland artificial surf lagoon, which ran for eight years in the Conwy Valley before shutting last year.

Windsor-registered Global Shred Ventures aims to infill part of the site’s existing 300-metre lagoon to create two sandy “beaches” with new holiday lodges. What’s left of the lagoon will be split in two, with “tried and trusted” wave generation technology installed to create different conditions for surfers depending on ability.

Meanwhile, the site’s existing Adrenaline Indoors building will be transformed into a new leisure attraction known as the “Snow Tunnel”. To accommodate a slope, the building’s roof will be partially raised to create a year-round facility for snowboarders and skiers.

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To refine the plans Adventure Parc Snowdonia, which owns the site, been working with Global Shred Ventures, a company established in May this year. Company director is Australian entrepreneur Adam Lamond. The combined attraction is forecast to deliver 74,684 visitors-a-year and provide 75 FTE jobs, 20 of which are expected to be full-time roles.

A pre-application consultation has been launched with submissions by December 23. A public event is scheduled at Hilton Garden Hotel, Dolgarrog, on Wednesday, December 4, 4pm-7pm.

In a planning statement, agents Cadnant Planning said: “Part of the existing surfing lagoon would be filled to create a new plateau to accommodate a new lodge development, together with a shore-side/beach area for visitors to enjoy. The redesign of the surfing lagoon will significantly reduce the lagoon’s footprint.

"The compact layout will allow the facility to serve more users simultaneously, increasing throughput and enhancing the overall visitor experience." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone

The planning agents continued: “A major feature of the redevelopment is the introduction of the Snow Tunnel, a revolutionary indoor skiing and snowboarding facility. This state-of-the-art attraction provides a year-round opportunity for visitors to experience alpine sports in a controlled environment, regardless of weather conditions.

“The Snow Tunnel incorporates the latest snowmaking and slope design technologies, offering a realistic and sustainable skiing experience that complements the parc’s existing adrenaline-based activities. It would provide snowboarders, skiers and other snow sports lovers the chance to participate in their sports all year round, anytime, in any weather, close to home. It brings to the snow industry, what wave pools and wind tunnels have brought to the surf and skydiving industries.”

With the help of £4m of Welsh Government funding, Surf Snowdonia opened in 2015 as a signature attraction aiming to attract 50,000 visitors. Mechanical failures of its surf technology took their toll and in mid-2023 its owners released an emotional statement saying a decision to close the lagoon had been taken with a “heavy heart”.

Cadnant Planning said the original development, by the Ainscough family, had not been without its challenges. Built on the site of a former aluminium works in Dolgarrog, it had to deal with contamination and extensive concrete slab remains. The lagoon was also largely sited on a flood plain.

Flint-registered Cadnant Planning added: “Alongside pioneering the new inland surfing technology that had never been commercially delivered before in the world, the site required significant investment levels. However, the family were committed to the project long term to give the site a future. The site now has the opportunity to house another world-class visitor attraction using a new surfing technology.”

Surfing was not expected to be part of plans to revitalise the facility. But Global Shred Ventures has other ideas, aiming to use Wavegarden’s proven “The Cove” surfing technology. To facilitate this, the lagoon’s existing wave pontoon will be removed. Two separate surfing areas will be created, one smaller and shallower, the other larger and deeper.

Two plateaus are planned at the lagoon ends with “beach” areas. These are earmarked for 21 new holiday lodges. Adventure Parc Snowdonia already has 36 consented holiday units, 29 of which will be retained to give a net increase of 14 units across the entire site. The planning agents said: “The 21 holiday lodges would form an integral part of the scheme, and are critical to the commercial business case.”

A surf academy and bike pump track will remain unchanged. In March this year, Zip World took on the site’s indoor activity facility with climbing walls, high ropes, an assault course and a drop tower. Also on the complex is the Hilton Garden Inn hotel which has remained open.

The redesigned surf lagoon will have a capacity for up to 65,000 sessions a year while it is anticipated the new Snow Tunnel will accommodate up to 40,000 sessions a year. Transport experts expect many will use both facilities, lessening traffic impacts. It’s assumed third thirds of users will be in the summer months.

Commons on the proposed development must submitted by December 23. These can be emailed to PAC@cadnantplanning.co.uk. There’s more on the pre-application consultation here. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox.

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