Mysuru: One cannot dream of experiencing snow in our city and for that we have to go all the way to the Himalayas, either to Kashmir or Shimla. However, Mysureans need not have to go that far now and instead experience the snow in all its chilly glory right here at the Snow Park.

The GRS Snow Park, right besides the GRS Fantasy Park on the Ring Road in Metagalli, was opened yesterday for the public. GRS Snow Park is an entertainment complex spread across an area of 40,000 square feet with an integrated restaurant and ample parking space.

The snow park boasts of a snow play area of 12,000 square feet, which is one of the largest in the country. The park has been designed with an inside temperature of -8°C to -10°C for the first time in the country.

When the customer walks into the snow area he is welcome by one foot of pure white snow made from edible water, under his foot. The management of the park has installed special RO plants in order to create pure ice and snow without any added chemicals.

GRS Snow Park has been themed realistically and has drawn inspiration from the icy mountains of Alps and Himalayas. Customers inside the snow park can have the experience of being in a valley surrounded by snow capped mountains, with slides carved out of stone and ice.

Artisans from all across the world were involved in the theming of the Snow Park. One of the main attractions, the frozen multi-lane slide has been themed to be carved out by the side of a frozen mountain with frozen trees.

GRS Snow Park also boasts of India’s longest Indoor Suspension Bridge, The Alpine Hanging Bridge, spanning a length of over 70ft at a height of 25ft off the ground. The other adventure attractions at GRS Snow Park are Pine Log Cabin, Hurricane Slide, Snow Carousel and Arctic Net Climb.

Amongst the other attractions is the Frozen Cafe which has been carved in the side of the Blizzard Slide tower. There is also a disco floor. Customers are served hot coffee and hot tea while experiencing -10°C. Another speciality of this cafe is the fact that all the chairs and tables here are made of ice.

Each show at GRS Snow Park will be one-hour-long and it is open from 11 am to 7 pm. Customers will be provided specially made jackets, boots and gloves. Cleanliness and hygiene are maintained using machines which disinfect and dehumidify the garments before it is provided to the next customer.

Tourism Minister S.R. Mahesh, speaking after inaugurating the Snow Park yesterday said, “The tourists visiting Mysuru visit the tourist places and return the same day. If tourism has to develop then the tourists should stay here for at least two days. That was the reason why Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said that KRS has to be developed along Disneyland lines. However, there were a few pro and anti discussions on the issue.”

Chamundi Hill is being developed at a cost of Rs.50 crore under the Prasad (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augumentation Drive) scheme which is an initiative of the Central Government. Along with this even in the Karnataka Exhibition Authority a Rs.150 crore project will be designed and developed, he said.

If hotels and business has to improve then novel schemes and projects are required. The aim of such projects should not be just for making money but it should be done with the idea of providing something new to the community, he added.

Twenty years ago GRS Fantasy Park was set up in city and today it has added something new which is the Snow Park. This will help in the development of tourism as there are many new things here not found in other entertainment centres in the country. The Government will also cooperate for such fresh initiatives, said Mahesh.

Star of Mysore Managing Editor Vikram Muthanna, who was the guest of honour, lauded the efforts of GRS management in launching a Snow Park.

MUDA Chairman Vijaykumar, Baliga Investments Pvt Ltd. Chairman Subraya Baliga, Pushpalatha Baliga, Maj. Gen. S.G. Vombatkere (Retd.), GRS Fantasy Park Directors Yogesh Dange, Dayanand Kudva, Manjunath Nayak, Business Head Ashwin Dange, Operations Head Balakrishna Kini and others were present.

It may be recalled that a similar “Snow City Theme Park” was opened recently in Nazarbad at Regency Theatre on Lokranjan Mahal Road near Mysuru Zoo.