Good for Business, Investments, Lithuania, Markets and Companies, Tourism

The total value of this project seeks almost LTL 111 million, from which the money of the structural funds of the European Union comprises LTL 40 million (EUR 12 million), while the funds of UAB Stamita, the private investor which built the complex – LTL 71 million (EUR 20.6 million).

"Bank Snoras financed prospective business projects even during the difficult times," says Raimondas Baranauskas, the President and the Chairman of the Board of the bank. "We are sure that Druskininkai complex of closed ski slopes with artificial snow covering will contribute to expansion of the infrastructure of tourism, active recreation and health improvement as well as increasing the fame of Lithuania."

According to Baranauskas and the head of the construction company Skirnuva, which was building the complex, Andrius Stasiukynas, Snoras Snow Arena, which is perched on an impressive hill in Mizarai village, just half a kilometre away from Druskininkai, is one of the largest indoor ski slope complexes in Europe, whereas according to the whole of the technical parameters it claims to be among the top five indoor skiing resorts in the world.

"People from Scandinavian countries, Poland, Ukraine and other Baltic States have already expressed interest in the arena. As a matter of fact, a similar all year round operating complex is more than a thousand kilometres away in Hamburg (Germany)," says Stasiukynas. Three ski slopes and snowboard runs are arranged on the territory of 8 hectares, from which two operate inside the arena and one outside. Visitors, who do not have the outfit or gear for skiing, will be able to rent it. Apart from the indoor and outdoor skiing runs, a lot of other types of entertainment will operate in the snow arena: skiing and snowboarding school DruSkiSchool will be founded in the complex, DruFunPark – the park of four level slopes and entertainment – will be waiting for children, as well as shops and restaurants. Up to 1,000 visitors will be able to have entertainment simultaneously in the complex.

"If within a year we have about 130,000-140,000 visitors, the investments in the construction of the winter entertainment complex would pay off in 15 years," Stasiukynas said.

It is planned to build a hotel with SPA centre and to offer more additional services: climbing artificial rocks and Aerodium vertical flying tunnel. Presently 59 persons are employed in the entertainment complex, and 10 additional new jobs will be created in the nearest future.