[Trae]

HtownWxBoy, on Friday, June 13th, 2008 @ 7:51pm, said:

I agree... I am surprised Texas doesn't have more. Add to all of this a warm climate, great economy and rapidly growing population... just seems like Texas would be the next "california" or "florida'.

I think this is what is happening. I would take Texas weather over Florida weather, too.

[dalparadise]

Trae, on Friday, June 13th, 2008 @ 8:56pm, said:

I think this is what is happening. I would take Texas weather over Florida weather, too.

Maybe, but both Florida and California offer weather that allows year-round operation of the theme parks. This indoor ski thing might be able to overcome our shortcoming in that area for a local audience, but nobody from outside this region really wants to come to Houston from December to February (too rainy and cold) or from July-September (too hot and humid). Despite similar heat, Florida just doesn't get as cold or wet for as long.
I know there are exceptions to this broad swath of bad weather here and many years, there are nine months of comfortable weather. But, the perception remains. and that still leaves three months when theme parks sit idle.
That's hard to live with at the investment levels it takes to build and maintain a California or Florida-style park.

This post has been edited by dalparadise: Friday, June 13, 2008 at 9:17 PM

[Houston19514]

dalparadise, on Friday, June 13th, 2008 @ 9:16pm, said:

Maybe, but both Florida and California offer weather that allows year-round operation of the theme parks. This indoor ski thing might be able to overcome our shortcoming in that area for a local audience, but nobody from outside this region really wants to come to Houston from December to February (too rainy and cold) or from July-September (too hot and humid). Despite similar heat, Florida just doesn't get as cold or wet for as long.
I know there are exceptions to this broad swath of bad weather here and many years, there are nine months of comfortable weather. But, the perception remains. and that still leaves three months when theme parks sit idle.
That's hard to live with at the investment levels it takes to build and maintain a California or Florida-style park.

Actually, Orlando's weather is remarkably similar to Houston's (except they get more rain in the summer months). Go to Weather.com and open up the monthly averages for each and they are almost indistinguishable.

[Trae]

I don't know. Houston and Orlando weather are basically the same. Orlando is even more humid.

[dalparadise]

Houston19514, on Friday, June 13th, 2008 @ 10:49pm, said:

Actually, Orlando's weather is remarkably similar to Houston's (except they get more rain in the summer months). Go to Weather.com and open up the monthly averages for each and they are almost indistinguishable.

Okay, I did that, even though I've observed both cities' weather. Our curve is a lot steeper, showing a much greater swing in temps. When you consider these are averages, it makes the difference I was trying to get across. Winter in Orlando is usually pretty nice, with only rare freezing days and little rain. Cold snaps occur, but are short-lived. Our winters here have almost no freezing days, true, but because they are much rainier, the cold is more noticeable.

My point is, when you dig a little deeper into the charts, like for instance, the record lows plotted side-by-side, you see that Houston is much more erratic and unpredictable, due to all the continental frontal activity that affects us in cooler months. Plus, Orlando's having three months longer in the 70s with four months of much less precipitation during these cool weather months is precisely the difference I was talking about. That's the difference between profitable and not for a year-round tourist destination.

[livincinco]

dalparadise, on Saturday, June 14th, 2008 @ 10:03am, said:

Okay, I did that, even though I've observed both cities' weather. Our curve is a lot steeper, showing a much greater swing in temps. When you consider these are averages, it makes the difference I was trying to get across. Winter in Orlando is usually pretty nice, with only rare freezing days and little rain. Cold snaps occur, but are short-lived. Our winters here have almost no freezing days, true, but because they are much rainier, the cold is more noticeable.

My point is, when you dig a little deeper into the charts, like for instance, the record lows plotted side-by-side, you see that Houston is much more erratic and unpredictable, due to all the continental frontal activity that affects us in cooler months. Plus, Orlando's having three months longer in the 70s with four months of much less precipitation during these cool weather months is precisely the difference I was talking about. That's the difference between profitable and not for a year-round tourist destination.

Sure, but the reason that you have a lot of attractions in Orlando has nothing to do with the weather being slightly better than Houston and everything to do with proximity to Disney World. Once Disney World was built, all the other parks were added because there was an automatic market of people that were going to spend three-four days at Disney and then look for something else to do while they were still in the area.

Houston doesn't have that kind of a major tourist draw right now and that puts it at a disadvantage when it's competing for mid-size attractions like this.

[dalparadise]

livincinco, on Saturday, June 14th, 2008 @ 11:55am, said:

Sure, but the reason that you have a lot of attractions in Orlando has nothing to do with the weather being slightly better than Houston and everything to do with proximity to Disney World. Once Disney World was built, all the other parks were added because there was an automatic market of people that were going to spend three-four days at Disney and then look for something else to do while they were still in the area.

Houston doesn't have that kind of a major tourist draw right now and that puts it at a disadvantage when it's competing for mid-size attractions like this.

Oh my gosh, you're right. It's all so clear now -- if you want tourism traffic, build Disney World!

Man, I don't know what I was thinking.

[livincinco]

dalparadise, on Saturday, June 14th, 2008 @ 3:14pm, said:

Oh my gosh, you're right. It's all so clear now -- if you want tourism traffic, build Disney World!

Man, I don't know what I was thinking.

I'm just saying that the weather comparison is pointless. Houston is not going to compete with Orlando anytime soon and it has nothing to do with weather. Besides if any city is going to have an amusement park cluster in Texas, San Antonio has a huge lead on Houston.

Let's just accept these for what they are - assuming they get built. Nice regional attractions with minimal national draw.

[Trae]

Houston gets more visitors than SA. It is a region of nearly 6 million people with no major theme park. This is the area in Texas that needs a theme park cluster.

[livincinco]

Trae, on Sunday, June 15th, 2008 @ 1:45pm, said:

Houston gets more visitors than SA. It is a region of nearly 6 million people with no major theme park. This is the area in Texas that needs a theme park cluster.

Yes, but those numbers are skewed by business and convention travel as opposed to vacation travel.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very pro-Houston and I agree that it would be nice to have more theme parks in the Houston area. I just think that the direction of this thread is based more on wishful thinking than reality. Snow Mountain (assuming it gets built) will get justified based on the population growth in the region and the void in the market, not because Houston is the next Orlando.

[Trae]

You never know. With EarthQuest and Snow Mountain (hopefully) going in near each other, and with Galveston/The Beach/Attractions on and around the Island, Houston could definitely go up a lot in the tourism ranks.

[moni]

A "rendering" for Snow Mountain, Houston:

http://www.s333.org/...168.Houston.pdf

[Deut28Thirteen]

moni, on Sunday, July 20th, 2008 @ 12:50pm, said:

A "rendering" for Snow Mountain, Houston:

http://www.s333.org/...168.Houston.pdf

NICE FIND MONI! I would guess this is a step closer to getting built. It says outskirts of Houston so I hope it is by EarthQuest.

[lockmat]

I guess this is the developers site: http://www.tex-stars....com/index.html

and the "cost consultants" - Here is a similar project they're workin on: http://www.franklinandrews.com/projects/?m...pe&id=15490

[lockmat]

bump for update
post 112

This post has been edited by lockmat: Monday, July 21, 2008 at 8:38 AM

[Trae]

I wish we had something on location. Hopefully it is up by Earth Quest.

[Vertigo58]

Yep, Houston is so far behind in theme parks. We would have more tourists with families staying longer or at least having something for the kiddies. Cal is so far ahead of us... as always. Its true.

http://www.themepark....com/USA_CA.htm

[KimberlySayWhat]

You mean this thing is actually happening? In the Houston area I mean.

That's good, but it's not very appealing to me personally. I am looking forward to Earth Quest, though.

[lockmat]

Hopefully it'll be a booming business in the summer. I wonder how it will do in competing with real ski resorts though. I'm sure it'll have its niche.

At least it won't be dependant upon precipitation.

Being near earthquest will help it for sure IMO, if that happens. They'll be able to feed off eachother and families with lots of money can do both on one vacation.

This post has been edited by lockmat: Monday, July 21, 2008 at 10:52 AM

[Pumapayam]

moni, on Sunday, July 20th, 2008 @ 12:50pm, said:

A "rendering" for Snow Mountain, Houston:

http://www.s333.org/...168.Houston.pdf

So the hotel is inside the mountain, but I can't tell about the ski slope, it looks like is outside in the 3D models, but maybe inside the the side elevations.

Any thoughts anyone?

Still using fake snow?

[moni]

Pumapayam, on Monday, July 21st, 2008 @ 1:25pm, said:

So the hotel is inside the mountain, but I can't tell about the ski slope, it looks like is outside in the 3D models, but maybe inside the the side elevations.

Any thoughts anyone?

Still using fake snow?

http://www.unlimited-snow.nl/

[Deut28Thirteen]

I know it is great we are getting an new park and maybe this Snow Mt. project (possibly all in the same area) I think adding a Great Wolf Lodge would tip it over as a place to be. Great Wolf Lodge is really fun place to go to. It may be asking for to much though.

[Trae]

I'll call Great Wolf . They built one up in Grapevine, Texas. I'm sure one would work near EarthQuest and the SkiPark. They include waterparks in their hotels.

[Pumapayam]

Snow Mountain vs. Ski Dubai

Height: 149 m vs. 85 m, or 44 vs. 25 stories

Of the 149 m, the end of the slope is at 24 m, so it is a true 125 m a healthy 47% advantage over Ski Dubai.

Ski Area: 40,800 m² vs. 22,500 m²

This area is covered snow.

It seems like finally Houston will have something bigger than Dubai, and it will look like a blocky mountain, rather than a metal slide.

[Trae]

Pumapayam, on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 @ 1:03pm, said:

Snow Mountain vs. Ski Dubai

Height: 149 m vs. 85 m, or 44 vs. 25 stories

Of the 149 m, the end of the slope is at 24 m, so it is a true 125 m a healthy 47% advantage over Ski Dubai.

Ski Area: 40,800 m² vs. 22,500 m²

This area is covered snow.

It seems like finally Houston will have something bigger than Dubai, and it will look like a blocky mountain, rather than a metal slide.

Dubai after learning the news:

[lockmat]

looks like a mod accidently deleted all our posts from today?

[Trae]

I think you're thinking about the Dallas ski thread.

[HtownWxBoy]

Pumapayam, on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 @ 12:03pm, said:

Snow Mountain vs. Ski Dubai

Height: 149 m vs. 85 m, or 44 vs. 25 stories

Of the 149 m, the end of the slope is at 24 m, so it is a true 125 m a healthy 47% advantage over Ski Dubai.

Ski Area: 40,800 m² vs. 22,500 m²

This area is covered snow.

It seems like finally Houston will have something bigger than Dubai, and it will look like a blocky mountain, rather than a metal slide.

Is this thing actually going to get built?... or is it still up in the air?

[livincinco]

HtownWxBoy, on Thursday, July 24th, 2008 @ 10:44pm, said:

Is this thing actually going to get built?... or is it still up in the air?

We don't even have a confirmed location yet, just a design document. I'm skeptical...

[wxman]

Pumapayam, on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 @ 1:03pm, said:

Snow Mountain vs. Ski Dubai

Height: 149 m vs. 85 m, or 44 vs. 25 stories

Of the 149 m, the end of the slope is at 24 m, so it is a true 125 m a healthy 47% advantage over Ski Dubai.

Ski Area: 40,800 m² vs. 22,500 m²

This area is covered snow.

It seems like finally Houston will have something bigger than Dubai, and it will look like a blocky mountain, rather than a metal slide.

Yes, but I'm sure Dubai's will be far more visually appealing.

[Pumapayam]

Swamplot post on this 7/23.

Update

Nevermind, I see HAIF the citation.

This post has been edited by Pumapayam: Friday, July 25, 2008 at 9:51 AM

[HtownWxBoy]

I really hope they build this. I LOVE skiing... it's probably my favorite sport... unfortunately I don't get to really do it much anymore since moving from Pennsylvania to Houston.

[Deut28Thirteen]

wxman, on Friday, July 25th, 2008 @ 8:49am, said:

Yes, but I'm sure Dubai's will be far more visually appealing.

Look at post 68 they have a pic of Dubai's and it is not spectacular. I like ours better it is more to the theme and bigger than Ski Dubai! :-) But I found some thing on the internet about the Snowdome in Dubai and it looks spectacular imo. Link to Snowdome
Arent they proposing to build some type of artic thing in galveston maybe they can take some of the architectual elements from the snowdome to ues.

[KimberlySayWhat]

An artic themed thing has been proposed for Moody Gardens. I don't think it will be shaped like a pyramid like the others. The Chronicle said they should have renderings of the building in a few months, I think.

[livincinco]

KimberlySayWhat, on Saturday, July 26th, 2008 @ 8:04am, said:

An artic themed thing has been proposed for Moody Gardens. I don't think it will be shaped like a pyramid like the others. The Chronicle said they should have renderings of the building in a few months, I think.

That's right. There's another thread on that topic already.

Moody Gardens may bring Glacier to the Island

[lockmat]

Just throwin this out there. The architect's website says the site is 8.5ha. That equals to a little over 21 acres.

[Vaughan]

Deut28Thirteen, on Friday, July 25th, 2008 @ 10:52pm, said:

Look at post 68 they have a pic of Dubai's and it is not spectacular. I like ours better it is more to the theme and bigger than Ski Dubai! :-) But I found some thing on the internet about the Snowdome in Dubai and it looks spectacular imo. Link to Snowdome
Arent they proposing to build some type of artic thing in galveston maybe they can take some of the architectual elements from the snowdome to ues.

The current Dubai facility is impressive on the inside. Here's some pictures I took on a visit a few months ago.

 5.jpg (94.12K)
Number of downloads: 73

 4.jpg (73.1K)
Number of downloads: 57

 3.jpg (68.54K)
Number of downloads: 66

 web.jpg (100.58K)
Number of downloads: 52

 web2.jpg (77.06K)
Number of downloads: 56

[livincinco]

Vaughan, on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 @ 5:07pm, said:

The current Dubai facility is impressive on the inside. Here's some pictures I took on a visit a few months ago.

5.jpg

4.jpg

3.jpg

web.jpg

web2.jpg

Hey, everyone's trying to figure out a use for the Astrodome...I can see that making an outstanding half pipe for snowboarding.

[20thStDad]

livincinco, on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 @ 5:59pm, said:

Hey, everyone's trying to figure out a use for the Astrodome...I can see that making an outstanding half pipe for snowboarding.

!!!!!!!!! DO IT!!

Best idea I've heard for that thing yet. It's already air conditioned, just add a lot of tonnage/units and make it downright polar.

[KimberlySayWhat]

They ought to turn the Astrodome into a giant roller disco. Talk about mad fun.

[katyresident]

Vaughan, on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 @ 5:07pm, said:

The current Dubai facility is impressive on the inside. Here's some pictures I took on a visit a few months ago.

5.jpg

4.jpg

3.jpg

web.jpg

web2.jpg

That's impressive?

[HtownWxBoy]

KimberlySayWhat, on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 @ 7:19pm, said:

They ought to turn the Astrodome into a giant roller disco. Talk about mad fun.

Oooo... that would be fun!

[bkjones98]

KimberlySayWhat, on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 @ 8:19pm, said:

They ought to turn the Astrodome into a giant roller disco. Talk about mad fun.

CASINO!

[KimberlySayWhat]

Ehh, no. World's largest wax museum!

I won't go off topic anymore.

[Vaughan]

katyresident, on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 @ 9:48pm, said:

That's impressive?

I was impressed. I guess you weren't. What are you looking for, an indoors Mt. Everest?

[VelvetJ]

20thStDad, on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 @ 8:19pm, said:

!!!!!!!!! DO IT!!

Best idea I've heard for that thing yet. It's already air conditioned, just add a lot of tonnage/units and make it downright polar.

Dude, I mentioned that here a few times over the past couple of years. We rarely get snow in Houston and what a way to make up for it. Because of the Dome's size, it could include a ice skating rink, a snow mobile run on one of the upper level concourses that runs the circumference of the dome, a huge Winter Wonderland for the kiddies, a ski lift from the floor up to the top levels, a snow boarding area complete with x-games styled ramps, and a shopping plaza with a few resturants to boot. And of course the whole thing would be heavily themed. It is possible. Plus Houstonians could boast about being able to snow ski, then relaxing on the beach in Galveston in 80 degree water within the same hour.

I say drop the Gaylord Styled Hotel plan, we already have one in Texas. Bring the 'Snow Dome' to life!

This post has been edited by VelvetJ: Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 3:32 PM

[lockmat]

Finally got a response from the architect:

Quote

I can confirm that we are the architects for the project and that we have worked for Mr. Villareal to produce a sketch design for the Snow Mountain to facilitate his search for funding and investment possibilities. At this moment, we are waiting further instructions from Mr. Villareal to proceed with the following stages of the design.

He also left me the contact info for the developer, Tex-Star Development.

[Pumapayam]

MidtownCoog, on Thursday, July 5, 2007 at 3:33 PM, said:

Please tell me this is fake:

Snow Mountain project slated for Houston, Texas

An exciting new snow-themed development for Houston, Texas has been unveiled by Unlimited Snow for Houston, Texas.

http://skirebel.com/magazine/2007/07/05/sn...-houston-texas/

Grand Texas Riverwalk? Is that what they plan to call the new Dome?

And two years later, nothing

Quote

Visitors to The Grand Texas River Walk will be beamed into a grandiose complex that will be contain an impressive virtual Alpine and Arctic world. While no timeline has been identified to begin working on this grandiose project, it is expected to begin construction in the coming year for a 2009 opening said the company behind this project, Unlitimed Snow.

Oh well.

[TheNiche]

Pumapayam, on Friday, October 2, 2009 at 2:51 PM, said:

And two years later, nothing

I guarantee you it's a dead deal. Commercial real estate is going to be like that for several years.

[lockmat]

Pumapayam, on Friday, October 2, 2009 at 2:51 PM, said:

And two years later, nothing



Oh well.

The website on the wiki says the design phase will last through 2009.