Trojena, NEOM‘s ski destination, is due to be completed in 2026.
The project has made significant headway, notably with The Lake, a 2.8km-long man-made freshwater body, and The Vault, a vertical village concept.
Philip Gullett, the executive director – region head for Trojena, has confirmed that progress includes the excavation of approximately three million cubic meters of material since early 2022 for the lake’s construction.
Technological advancements and sustainability
“The scale and ambition of Trojena are unparalleled,” said Gullett. “NEOM is becoming a hub for world leaders in sustainable construction, leveraging technologies like digital twins, artificial intelligence, robotics, and modular construction methods. This collaboration spans across globally-renowned architects, engineers, contractors, and specialists, aiming to redefine sustainable development practices. Trojena’s year-round skiing experience is supported by advanced techniques in artificial snow production and the use of synthetic surfaces, ensuring a consistent offering regardless of season.”
Commitment to eco-friendly practices
Sustainability is at the core of NEOM’s operations, with all water and power for Trojena being sustainably generated. The project boasts an operational wastewater treatment and water recycling plant that caters to both construction needs and environmental conservation efforts. Emphasising the eco-friendly mission, Gullett highlighted the reuse of excavated materials to limit the need for new resources.
Despite the complexity and inherent challenges of the project, confidence remains high.
“With the collaboration across NEOM’s sectors and support services, we stand ready to meet and overcome these challenges,” Gullett asserts, indicating a steadfast progression towards the completion of this groundbreaking venture.
The timelines and more details on Trojena
Trojena, one of the flagship developments within NEOM, is being developed and positioned as a year-round adventure sports destination that will include destination will consist of a series of facilities such as the ski village, a wide range of retail stores and restaurants, in addition to sports activities, including a ski slope, watersports and mountain biking, as well as an interactive nature reserve.
The project is set for completion by 2026 and will be the host of the 2029 Asian Winter Games. Along with a W Hotel and JW Marriott property, the development is expected to include apartments, chalets, retail, dining, and entertainment areas.
TROJENA will be made up of six districts: Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun, all of which are designed to offer activities catering to a variety of tastes and needs. It will be developed according to architectural specifications that consider environmental sustainability, preservation of all living organisms and nature.
To enrich the lives and enhance the well-being of residents and visitors, the development, in accordance with international standards, will feature sports, art, music, cultural festivals and a range of recreational activities. TROJENA expects to attract 700,000 visitors and 7,000 permanent residents to live in TROJENA and its adjacent residential districts by 2030. Highlights of the development include the all-year ski village; a man-made freshwater lake; ‘The Bow’ Hotel, an architectural element that will offer a hotel experience; and the Vault, a vertical village within the mountain with a fusion of technology, entertainment and hospitality facilities that will provide the main gateway into TROJENA.
Opulent hotel openings in the region
In June this year, Minor Hotels confirmed that an Anantara Trojena resort will open within NEOM. The luxurious hotel will have a big focus on its spa offering, and adds to a growing list of super-hotels earmarked for the Middle Eastern ski holiday haven. To add to this, NEOM this year also announced a third hotel for ski retreat Trojena. The Chedi Trojena will be located atop the Gulf snow retreat, a focal point of the giga-project’s Slope Residences.
The US$500bn city is also considering creating its own hospitality brand. While NEOM was expected to start announcing hotels by this year and opening them next year, the TROJENA boss said the site is very close to confirming its first hotel operators. “You don’t get the chance to create something from a blank sheet of paper and that’s what we’re doing. We’re close to appointing the first hotel operators. We’ve got Aedas appointed to design our ski village and there are two hotels in that first phase. So, we have to make sure we get the hospitality brand and the design right in our buildings, in order to suit those hotel operators or brands that we develop ourselves,” he said.
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