Alpine-X, a Virginia-based development company, announced its vision for building indoor snow sports destinations across the United States, starting in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Fairfax Peak, the company’s first development project, will feature an indoor snow sports venue as the anchor attraction, surrounded by an upscale hotel, gravity-powered mountain coaster, zip lines, multiple food and beverage outlets, and additional amenities.
Indoor snow sports venues are common and successful in Europe and other parts of the world, but the United States has been slow to catch on. The company plans to expand the concept into 20+ additional North American metro markets.
The Alpine-X management team comprises seasoned entrepreneurs with vast indoor family entertainment and sports recreation experience and diverse skills across many disciplines. CEO John Emery and CFO Jim Calder previously served in those same positions for Great Wolf Resorts Inc., a family entertainment resort company, where their team led the company’s expansion to a nationally recognized brand and IPO. Great Wolf pioneered the indoor water park industry.
Alpine-X began working with Fairfax County more than four years ago when it first presented the county its proposal to develop an indoor snow sports destination resort on county-owned land. The county responded with great interest, as Fairfax Peak will be built on top of a capped, inactive landfill that the county had been seeking to repurpose in an environmentally conscious manner.
Capped landfills are well suited for Alpine-X indoor snow sports venues. They are sloped, which reduces construction costs, and are usually close to large metropolitan areas. Also, owners of landfills, especially if they are municipalities, are often seeking opportunities for beneficial reuse of those facilities. Alpine-X’s proposal was viewed as an opportunity to repurpose the landfill and provide an entertainment experience that can benefit the entire community.
Alpine-X’s properties will provide snow sports conditions for families, groups, and individuals year-round regardless of outside weather conditions. The company intends to complement traditional mountain resorts by expanding general interest and inclusive participation in snow sports. Guests can participate in skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and snow play, as well as other no-skill and low-skill activities. The
Learn more at www.alpine-x.com.
