LYNCHBURG, Virginia, July 21, 2008 –A portion of Liberty University’s 5,000-
acre mountain range will be receiving a monumental makeover in the coming
months with the construction of a year-round ski slope known as the Liberty
Mountain Snowflex Center.
Upon completion, the artificial snow sports incline will be the first in the U.S.
surfaced with Snowflex®, a synthetic material designed to simulate snow. The
Discovery Channel is documenting this historic event and will air several phases
of the construction on a future episode of Daily Planet.
Invented in 1993 by Brian Thomas of Briton Engineering, Snowflex originated in
the UK and has been installed in several facilities throughout Europe. This
innovative technology features small, built-in misting devices that lubricate the
slope’s surface, recreating the slip and grip of real snow.
The idea of building a snow-free ski slope on Liberty Mountain began three years
ago when the university hired Alpentech Inc., a Salt Lake City, Utah consulting
firm, to investigate several ways LU could use its mountain property to meet
Liberty’s academic, financial and recruiting goals. In addition to giving students
more recreational, physical education and fitness opportunities on campus, the
slope will help establish skiing and/or snowboarding as LU club sports.
“When the LaHaye family donated the ice rink and student recreation center at
LU, Mrs. [Beverly] LaHaye stated that her goal was to give prospective students
as many reasons as possible to choose LU over secular institutions,” stated
Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. “The slope has the same purpose.”
Falwell added: “Liberty University is also attempting to reconnect with its alumni. Our plan is to bring alumni and their families back to Lynchburg for weekend visits so they can become reacquainted with the university. The ski slope will provide a unique form of entertainment for these families and help us attract
more of them to Liberty for weekend visits.”
The Snowflex Center is just one element of a multi-faceted expansion of Liberty
University’s extracurricular and student activities divisions. One hundred percent
of the slope’s cost is being funded by a charitable donation to the university.
While the future slope will be available to the public, students will receive priority in both pricing and usage.
The Liberty Mountain Snowflex Center will consist of a main ski slope and a
beginner slope for ski and snowboard instruction, totaling about 40,537 square
feet of skiable area. Jumps and additional features on the main slope include a
tabletop, a big kicker, an 11-foot high quarter pipe, two grind rails and an extreme tube chute. Those who prefer tubing may do so at designated times.
A ski lodge will also be installed, permitting parties and other special events.
Construction is slated to begin late August or early September with an anticipated grand opening around the start of the new year, 2009.
For more information about LU’s future ski slope, please visit
liberty.edu/snowflex.
