New project wants to bring snow to large urban centers such as Lisbon, Porto and Algarve in 2025, but still depends on collaboration with municipalities. Ski slopes indoor and covered areas would operate “all year round”.
With only one destination to ski, the Portuguese have long lamented the same thing: “if it snowed here…”
The Fruit Salad enigma may have a solution very soon. THE Tourist trapconcessionaire of the ski resort in Serra da Estrela, is developing a project to take the sport to less likely parts of the country, such as Lisbon, Porto and Algarve.
With the aim of promoting a taste for sport in regions outside the country’s only natural snow destination, the initiative includes investment in snow production technology neve artificialwith cannons capable of operating even at temperatures above 0°C, the concessionaire tells , as a plan for 2025.
The company intends to install “ski slopes, indoor and covered, operating all year round” — a “trend” that has been seen in many countries such as Belgium, Holland, Germany or Spain, lists the president of Turistela, Artur Costa Pais.
The proposal depends, however, on collaboration with municipalities in urban and tourist centers that welcome the idea of installing ski slopes.
“Our goal is to take this snow experience to the large urban centers of Lisbon, Porto and Algarve”, adds the person in charge. “It is a challenge that we are going to make to the municipalities so that they can find conditions for us”, he appeals.
During the festive season, the Serra da Estrela resort is the most popular attraction for those looking for natural snow. However, Turistrela believes that it is necessary diversify offer and create alternatives that complement the existing experience, reinforcing Serra da Estrela as the main snow destination in the country.
“Serra da Estrela is a successful destination, with 10 months of high season. We need more investors, because the Serra is unique in the context of mountain tourism in Portugal”, warns Artur Costa Pais, highlighting the exclusivity of the mountainous area. “In Spain there are 32 mountains similar to Serra da Estrela, in France there are 48 and in Switzerland 39”, he states: Estrela is “an opportunity”.
