Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, is obviously constructing a multimillion-dollar ski resort in the desert. This most recent addition to the nation’s architectural repertoire, Trojena, is a part of the ultramodern metropolis of Neom in the Sararwat mountains, which are around 2,600 meters above sea level. The tourist destination, which is expected to be finished in 2026, is advertised as being 33 times bigger than the bustling city of New York City.
“Trojena will redefine mountain tourism for the world by creating a place based on the principles of ecotourism, highlighting our efforts to preserve nature and enhance the community’s quality of life,” the Crown Prince said in a statement.
“It will be an important addition to tourism in the region, a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity.”
Let’s just say that the Crown Prince is no stranger to breaking boundaries for those who might not be aware of his prior endeavors. He has already started on huge initiatives like creating a floating metropolis with eight sides and a 170-kilometer straight-line city.
Oh, and in his leisure time, he organized a significant uprising against professional golf. These initiatives have already established Saudi Arabia as a center of innovation (among other things), and Trojena is poised to carry on this tradition.
According to Neom’s website, the man-made carved village will include “bespoke experiences where reality and imagination are combined”, although there were few details on the specifics.
Among other things, this most recent project will include year-round outdoor skiing, a spa resort, and an interactive wildlife reserve. The Vault, a folded vertical village intended to “link the physical and digital worlds,” will be the focal point of Trojena.
Trojena’s executive director Philip Gullett, a Brit, said: “In a way, it’s similar in concept to The Line, in that it’s concentrating that vertical village or city in one place, minimizing the land take – and maximizing walkability – rather than spreading all those elements out across a large space.”
The tourist destination will have a man-made lake that spans three kilometers and is filled with fresh water, adding an added touch of “natural” beauty.
In a news release, Trojena stated that by 2030, it aims to receive 700,000 tourists and 7,000 permanent residents. The project is anticipated to provide an estimated 3 billion riyals ($800 million) to the Saudi economy and generate 10,000 new employment.
The Middle Eastern country furthered its credibility by announcing that the resort would be the new location for the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
Trojena has received negative online reviews from certain architects despite a widespread appreciation for the plans. “They’ve been telling us for years that you can’t construct a future folded-vertical village, and we believed them.
