Abandoned ski slope to be turned into major new karting and e-sports attraction
AN ABANDONED skiing attraction in the United Kingdom looks set to be transformed into a brand new entertainment venue.
The Braehead indoor ski slope in Glasgow was closed permanently in October 2023 after almost a year of being shut.
Its owners, Braehead Leisure Partners (BLP), took the decision to close the facility permanently after conducting several investigations into its viability.
However, the site looks like it could be given a new lease of life soon, with a planning application that has submitted to Renfrewshire Council.
If given the go ahead, the plans would transform the vacant indoor ski slope into a brand new e-karting attraction.
A bar/restaurant and e-sports area are also part of the proposals.
The idea has been put forward by Edinburgh-based firm Pritchett Planning Consultancy (PPC).
They hope to make use of the space available inside the XSite building where the slope was based.
They described the development of the site as “essential” for the future of the leisure complex.
In their application they said: “There have been several changes within the building since its inception.
“However, the ski slope has remained since the outset until its closure in 2022 due to safety, ongoing maintenance, and repair considerations, as well as the sustainability of operating a real snow indoor ski slope which requires 5900kwh of energy to run every day which is unsustainable.
“The reuse of the vacant ski slope is essential for the future wellbeing of the XSite centre which requires the replacement of the former anchor use in the building to support the creation of new jobs and the long term viability of the centre.”
Currently, XSite has climbing, laser tag, a cinema, adventure golf and ten pin bowling among the entertainment it has on offer.
The new e-karting attraction would reimagine the area and create a track in place of the slope that used to be used for indoor skiing and snowboarding.
Extra space remaining would house the bar and restaurant as well as the gaming options that have been proposed.
An application for full planning permission was validated by the council last month and developers are currently awaiting decision, according to the Glasgow Times.
New Karting Experience in London
Sun Travel's Ryan Gray visited the new Gravity Max Urban Theme Park in East London - here's what he made of it.
“Gravity Max already has sites in both the north and south of the UK, including in Liverpool, Castleford and Wandsworth, but last month opened a brand new site at London’s Westfield Shopping Centre.
“The main draw of the attraction is its E-karting super track, which runs on two separate tracks across multiple levels, offering different racing experiences.
“Traditional racing is on offer for those who like to simply go as fast as possible, while interactive Mario-Kart-style games can also be played, with racers able to affect those they’re up against with fun digital obstacles and weaponry.
“The track is impressive in its size and fun to drive around too, with visitors in for a fun day out, racing one another around the different circuits.
“What’s more, the multi-level circuit adds a more exciting dynamic to a traditional flat karting track.
“There’s also Tokyo-inspired gaming zones, special The Voice-themed karaoke and a sports bar all set up and ready for the Euros this summer.”
Should it be given permission, the site would finally be able to replace the ski slope that has been closed since 2022.
Tests concluded that the cost of running such an attraction is “unviable” and all of the snow and ice had to be removed.
At the time, there had been eight million litres of snow in the ski slope – the equivalent to three Olympic sized swimming pools
Concerns had initially been raised before it closed down about the high energy consumption that was needed to keep the snow a certain temperature.
Meanwhile, this seaside town is set to get a new adventure golf attraction.
And this new Friends attraction is set to open in the UK this summer.
