World’s largest indoor ski slope to be dismantled

The Tokyo Skidome, home to the world’s largest indoor ski slope, is set to be demolished and the site used for a commercial and residential development.

Known as SSAWS – which stands for spring, summer, autumn and winter snow – the site was the first indoor ski slope ever built and opened in the Funabashi suburb of Tokyo in 1993.

It featured a vertical drop of about 260ft, its longest trail was 640ft and at the peak of its popularity drew over a million visitors a year.

However, falling visitor numbers caused by Japan’s economic slump saw the facility close last September. Real estate developer, Mitsui Fudosan, has now sold the site to an unnamed buyer and demolition will commence later this month.