Discover Shanghai’s L+SNOW: Indoor Ski Resort and Water World
In September 2024, Shanghai’s Lingang Special Area unveiled a remarkable attraction: Shanghai L+SNOW Indoor Ski Resort—the largest indoor ski facility in the world—alongside a water park named “Water World.” This new leisure complex is set to further elevate Lingang’s status as a premier cultural and tourism hub in China.
WhiteWater’s Vision for Water World
The Lingang Free Trade Zone is a significant catalyst for Shanghai’s economic development, attracting leading Chinese enterprises and enticing top global companies to invest. Concurrently, Lingang is becoming a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors to Haichang Ocean Park, museums, and Dishui Lake—China’s largest urban artificial lake—along with various hotels and attractions.
A primary strategic goal of Shanghai’s Lingang Special Area is to create a world-class cultural and tourism ecosystem. To realise this vision, WhiteWater’s extensive global expertise was enlisted to play a crucial role in the development of Water World.
We crafted the park layout and theme, supplying 20 water slides, two AquaPlay structures, 54 AquaSplash toys, and a 13-meter-wide wave pool for Water World, seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces to deliver a dynamic, multi-dimensional guest experience. The indoor water park, Viking Harbor, spans 17,000 square meters, while the outdoor section, Ice Fire Canyon, covers 12,000 square meters. Notably, the outdoor water park is situated on the rooftop, making it the only one of its kind in Mainland China.
“There are still very few water parks in China that feature both indoor and outdoor sections. Water World is an essential component of Shanghai L+SNOW Indoor Ski Resort, boasting nearly 20 water attractions that cater to visitors of all ages,” stated Bingrui Li, General Manager of the resort.
“It not only enhances the offerings of Shanghai L+SNOW Indoor Ski Resort but also helps attract more families.”
Design That Brings Stories to Life
WhiteWater played a pivotal role in the entire design process of Water World, from conceptual design to schematic design and development. Our Design Services team meticulously considered every aspect of the visitor experience, including safety, operational efficiency, and guest circulation, to create a seamless and engaging environment.
“It was a pure joy for us to collaborate with the client to bring their vision of a world-class destination to life. The park presented unique challenges and a visionary concept that resulted in a truly one-of-a-kind attraction,” remarked Rob Miksza, Design Team Lead at WhiteWater.
At the heart of our design for Water World is a Nordic theme, bringing to life elements such as hot springs, ancient volcanoes, and enchanting northern villages reminiscent of fairy tales. Through detail-oriented storytelling, we have infused depth into every element of the park, ensuring each attraction and slide offers something unique and provides a truly captivating experience.
“Water World is extremely popular, with young people and families as our main visitor groups. We have incorporated various Viking elements for both adults and children to fully immerse themselves in the joy of water play,” added Li.
Immersive Indoor Experiences for Every Explorer
Inside the 17,000-square-meter “Viking Harbor,” WhiteWater has designed three themed zones.
“We overlaid a series of experiences that the whole family could enjoy. Children can play comfortably in three distinct play zones focused on interactive and creative play set amongst fjords, bubbling geysers, and a village of wooden huts,” explained Rob.
The aquatic play structure here is inspired by the concept of a shipwreck island. The custom AquaPlay is designed in the shape of a boat and is surrounded by AquaSplash Toys. Additionally, the area features five kids’ slides and a children’s pool—all encouraging young visitors to explore.
The real thrill awaits: we have introduced an AquaLoop indoors, featuring a 20-meter drop and a total slide length of 110 meters. Starting from a 39-meter launch platform, riders experience a heart-pounding free-fall before being propelled at a 45-degree angle into a full loop.
An Exceptional Outdoor Water Park Experience
The 12,000-square-meter outdoor area, “Ice and Fire Canyon,” is filled with exhilarating attractions, offering an unmatched experience. Visitors can witness multiple slides cascading from a volcano-themed tower approximately 79.8 meters high.
One of the highlights is the six-person raft ride, a Family Blaster + Boomerango Fusion, which launches riders from the volcano’s crater into a dark enclosed tunnel before plunging into an exhilarating outdoor drop. The raft then surges up a near-vertical wall, creating a zero-gravity sensation followed by a free-fall, before making a grand splash into a landing pool.
On the opposite side of the volcano, the 56.82-meter-tall 4-lane Mat Racer invites visitors to compete against friends. Competitors launch simultaneously, racing down vibrant-coloured lanes, navigating thrilling drops, and speeding toward the finish line.
Beyond the adrenaline rush, at the base of the volcano lies the 13-meter wave pool called “Storm Bay” (667 square meters), a spacious relaxation area that accommodates large crowds, reducing wait times across the park. It also serves as a central hub where families can gather, unwind, and enjoy aquatic fun. Additionally, the outdoor area features an AquaPlay 1050 called “Viking Village.”
A Billboard for the Water Park
As visitors arrive at Shanghai L+SNOW Indoor Ski Resort, one of the first things they will notice is the striking blue AquaTube extending from the building. Starting from a 39-meter launch platform and stretching 142 meters in length, this slide is translucent, allowing curious spectators to see how riders begin from an outdoor platform before seamlessly transitioning indoors to finish in a runout lane.
“Overall, Water World combines adventure, relaxation, and a setting pulled directly from the imagination, providing a memorable experience for visitors of all ages. Our team is proud to have contributed to a destination that not only entertains but also creates that special ‘wow factor!’” concluded Rob.
