Sydney BridgeClimb operators Hammons Holdings will run and manage the snow attractions at Australia’s first indoor snow resort while hospitality operator Trippas White Group has been chosen to run the food and beverage offerings.
Winter Sports World managing director Peter Magnisalis will announce the selections during a presentation at the NSW Major Projects Conference at the International Convention Centre Sydney today (Thursday).
Currently the largest private tourism construction project in Australia, Winter Sports World is exppected to put Penrith on the global map and accelerate tourism for Western Sydney and NSW.
“To ensure that happens, we need to place this project in the best hands in the world,” Magnisalis said. “After a global search, we have discovered the best tourism attractions and food and beverage operators in the world right here in NSW, and I am confident that Hammons Holdings and Trippas White Group will help drive the success we expect this project to achieve.’’
Hammons Holdings
Hammons Holdings is a third-generation family business and has operated Scenic World since it was established in 1945 and has operated BridgeClimb since 2018.
“Winter Sports World is an exciting one-of-a-kind drawcard for tourism in Western Sydney, the Blue Mountains and more widely, Australia, and will be pivotal to growing the local and NSW tourism economy over the coming decades,” Hammons Holdings CEO David Hammon said.
“Hammons Holdings has been in the business of creating lifelong memories for millions of visitors from all over the world for almost 80 years,” he said.
“We’re thrilled to have been selected as preferred operator to run and manage the snow attractions at Winter Sports World and look forward to doing what we do best – delivering world-class fun and exceptional experiences.”
Trippas White Group
Trippas White Group, established in 1990, is a wholly Australian-owned enterprise, and oversees a diverse portfolio of more than 150 venues nationwide, including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Tower, Taronga Zoo, Queen Victoria Building, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Centennial Parklands, Australian War Memorial, and National Gallery of Australia.
“Our experience managing some of Australia’s most iconic venues has equipped us to deliver unparalleled experiences that cater to locals, domestic and international visitors,” Trippas White Group CEO Kevin Zajax said.
“We are absolutely thrilled to partner with WSW and bring this expertise to Western Sydney – not only creating hundreds of jobs for the hospitality sector, driving tourism to the region as well as being able to celebrate some great local products and offers.”
Dubbed “the giant Esky”, the $500 million-plus Winter Sports World project will inject an additional $222 million annually into the local economy, contributing $2.5 billion in economic growth over the next decade.
Winter Sports World was granted State Significant Development Application approval on January 11, 2024.
It is now undergoing a phase of detailed design and engineering development to prepare for construction, which is on track to begin in 2025 and open in 2028.
Located within the vibrant Riverlink Tourism Precinct at Penrith just 12km from the new Western Sydney International airport, Winter Sports World will be Australia’s first indoor snow resort.
Using real snow, it will include:
- A 300m advanced open run for experienced skiers and snow boarders, learn to ski runs and a dedicated winter wonderland snow play area;
- Competition venue for snow sports such as alpine skiing;
- Ice climbing and crevasse outdoor rock climbing;
- 4.5-star 170-room hotel, conference and function rooms;
- Restaurant and cafes with snow views;
WSW will provide a training venue for Olympic sports such as alpine skiing, freestyle skiing and snowboarding.
