Melburnians will soon be able to swap traffic for fresh powder without ever leaving the western suburbs.
Snowtunnel, the Australian‑born startup behind the world’s first “Endless Mountain” rotating snow experience, has locked in its Global Headquarters and Pilot Showcase Site at a purpose‑repurposed industrial precinct just 11 kilometres from the CBD.
Slated to open in late 2026, the Melbourne facility will be the first physical location where the public can step into the patented Snowtunnel technology.
The star attraction is a colossal, rotating Snowtunnel™, standing 12.5 metres high—roughly the height of a four‑storey building—and stretching 16 metres long, about the width of a typical ski run.
Inside, more than 600 square metres of constantly rideable surface are lined with real, groomed snow, creating a looped downhill experience for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The system uses variable speed control to keep conditions safe for beginners while still offering challenge for more advanced “shredders.”
From Concept To City‑Centre Reality
“Securing our first site in Melbourne is a definitive milestone,” says Scott Kessler, CEO and co‑founder of Snowtunnel. “We’ve spent years engineering the magic of the mountains into a city‑based experience.
By choosing Melbourne’s West, we’re putting alpine adventure within easy reach of a massive, sport‑loving population just minutes from the city centre.”
The building will house more than just the Snowtunnel. Across more than 3,000 square metres of snow play, learn, and ride zones, the venue is designed as a full‑blown alpine‑style destination.
A dedicated Snow Play Zone will cater to families and first‑timers, while a Professional Progression Program, led by certified instructors, will guide everyone from “snowbunnies” to expert‑level athletes.
On‑site gear hire means visitors can turn up and ride without owning a board or skis.
Snowtunnel’s First Melbourne Location
The West location is also strategic for jobs and community impact. The project will generate a mix of operational, hospitality, and technical roles in one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing employment corridors and tap into the city’s appetite for year-round urban adventure.
It forms part of the same wave that brought URBNSURF and other indoor sports hubs into the suburbs, but this time it swaps saltwater for snow.
“Global Momentum and International Expansion” is one of the company’s official talking points, and the numbers back it up. Snowtunnel has already secured an exclusive territory agreement for the United Kingdom, with regional conversations underway across multiple markets.
Developers are positioning the Melbourne site as the global showcase, creating a permanent stage where investors, partners, and media can try the technology firsthand before it rolls out overseas.
COO and co‑founder Daniel Portelli describes the Melbourne facility as the “bridge” between Snowtunnel’s engineering phase and its global rollout. “This Melbourne site is the bridge between our engineering phase and our global future,” Portelli says. “By establishing our Global HQ and first showcase here, we’re providing a permanent stage to bring this Australian innovation to the world.”
Test Riders & Snow‑Hungry Locals
The company is already building hype around its Test Rider Crew, an early‑access group that will experience the Snowtunnel before the wider public. The program will tap into Melbourne’s strong community of snow-sports enthusiasts, local influencers and families, building word-of-mouth momentum ahead of the official launch.
The company often points to striking statistics behind the concept, including that around 95% of people have never tried snow sports and that more than half of the world’s countries don’t have ski fields.
Even in established winter-sports regions, seasons usually last just three to five months and face growing disruption from changing weather patterns. Snowtunnel aims to remove the unpredictability of snow and deliver a reliable, climate-resilient experience year-round in the heart of the city.
If all goes to plan, Melburnians won’t need to chase snow up the Hume or at the airport. They’ll just head west—and keep riding the same mountain, over and over again.