Trojena will be a unique four-season destination that goes beyond winter athletics within Saudi Arabia’s futuristic Neom project. Olivia Palamountain reports
Saudi Arabia has announced plans to construct Trojena, a one-of-a-kind mountain destination that will serve as a sustainable ski resort within the innovative Neom project.
Located 50km inland from the Gulf of Aqaba coast, Trojena will span nearly 60 sq km across elevations from 1,500m to 2,600m, and will house six distinctive clusters that blend real with virtual architectural and engineering innovations.
The area experiences sub-zero winter temperatures, along with a year-round moderate climate, making it ideal for winter sports – however surreal that sounds.
According to officials, Trojena aims to be an engineering feat as one of the world’s most environmentally friendly ski resorts, with renewable energy, minimised water usage and maximum water recovery enabling carbon neutral snow production without chemical additives.
An all-year Ski Village will offer hotels, outdoor activities, dining and entertainment so that visitors can enjoy winter sports in colder months and other pursuits during warmer months.
The destination will comprise a man-made freshwater lake to accommodate water sports and offer over 100 indoor and outdoor activities to attract adventure seekers – think hiking, kayaking, water sports, skiing, zip lining, alpine coaster, mountain biking, skateboarding, bicycling, climbing, snow sports and ice skating.
Trojena will also also host concerts, festivals, exhibitions and other cultural events. There will even be a 3,000-seat mountainside amphitheatre. Other highlights include “The Vault”, a vertical village carved into the mountainside with retail dining and nightlife.
In total, Trojena will house more 3,500 hotel rooms and 42,000 sqm of retail space. Luxury Slope Residences with panoramic views are also planned.
Officials say a key goal is making new sports such as skiing accessible to Saudis and others in the region.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced plans for Trojena in 2022; engineers have already broken ground on infrastructure to turn the ambitious sustainable mountain resort concept into reality.