£300m Wales indoor ski resort clears final planning hurdle

Councillors at Merthyr Tydfil Council gave the ultimate inexperienced gentle this week, clearing the best way for what’s being billed because the UK’s longest indoor snow centre on land to the south west of the A470/A4102 roundabout.

The Rhydycar West growth will characteristic a 400m-long indoor ski slope, a tropical water park, indoor and out of doors exercise centres, as much as 418 resort bedrooms, 30 woodland lodges and round 830 automobile parking areas.

Developer Marvel mentioned the centre will develop into the official coaching base for GB and Welsh Olympic and Paralympic snow sports activities groups, placing Merthyr Tydfil on the worldwide winter sports activities map.

The proposals first emerged in 2017, with a planning utility submitted in 2023.

When the scheme went earlier than councillors in March 2025, members voted towards officers’ suggestions to refuse consent on the previous coal and ironstone mining land.

Following referral to the planning inspectorate, the Welsh Authorities confirmed in November 2025 it might not intervene, sending the appliance again to the council for a ultimate resolution yesterday.

Marvel mentioned the centre would eclipse the present UK benchmark at Manchester’s Chill Factore, which has a 180m slope, and rank among the many largest indoor snow centres globally.

The developer estimates the venture will create round 1,500 development jobs, with roughly 1,200 anticipated to be sourced regionally, adopted by round 800 everlasting roles as soon as operational.