Trojena is part of the Neom project, a new special region developed in Saudi Arabia. The area is destined to become a ski resort for tourists and nationals. Trojena will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
In order to prepare for the post-oil era and establish itself as a leading tourist destination, Saudi Arabia is multiplying projects, each more grandiose than the last. There is The Line, the project for a vertical city built almost 200 km long; Sindallah, an island transformed into a luxury hotel for yacht owners; Oxagon, a floating city and industrial center; Leyja, a luxury resort set in the center of a desert gorge.
And there is Trojena, another improbable project and one of the most controversial, because it involves building a ski resort. Trojena is to be a future town where typical mountain tourism activities can take place, from climbing to hiking to skiing. The pharaonic project must nevertheless host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
What exactly is Trojena?
Trojena is an urban project which must include several different spaces, as well as an artificial lake. The site chosen for the establishment is located in a mountainous region, in the northwest of the country, 50 km from the sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. The highest peaks reach 2,400 meters, and it is an area with a naturally more temperate climate than the rest of the region, according to Neom.
The different spaces planned in Trojena are:
- The Vault, a V-shaped vertical futuristic village », which is reminiscent of The Line in certain aspects. The village must “ be the gateway » to the rest of Trojena, and will offer “ personalized experiences that combine reality and imagination “. He must also benefit from his “ own microclimate » (we do not know if it will be controlled or if it will be natural), and “ abundant vegetation and bodies of water “.
- An observatory, located in the heights of the region.
- An animal reserve, with “ high-end resorts » promising “ augmented reality elements “.
- Of the ” ultra luxury villas » — Trojena and the majority of Neom projects are primarily intended for the richest.
- A ski village, located at an altitude of 2400 m, with several “ outdoor mountain trails ” And ” many other adventure sports “.
- A huge artificial lake, with “ water sports and outdoor entertainment “.
- The Bow. This last space is the most mysterious, because the least clear, and also the most absurd. According to the site, it is a “ secret world under the lake, which includes large spaces that can be set up for conferences, concerts, sports » and even weddings. The space will also include a 5-star hotel, residences and restaurants. They will be “ all featuring advanced technology and located in the atriums of this water-immersed structure “. We’re not sure what the place is actually supposed to be, but, like every element of Trojena, the project looks over-the-top and far-fetched.
What is the connection between Trojena and Neom?
Trojen is part of Neom, a special economic region chosen by Riyadh. In addition to Trojena, the area will host several futuristic city projects, such as Line, Sindallah, Oxagon, and Leyja.
A ski station
If we remember one thing about Trojena, it’s its ski resort. A question then arises: will there be snow? Saudi Arabia assures that there will be some, even on open-air tracks. To prove that there is indeed natural snow in the region, Neom even published a short video where we can see shrubs covered in snow.
What is not said is that such a thin snow depth is not enough for skiing, and even less for organizing sports competitions. Although it has never been confirmed, snow cannons will certainly be necessary for the events to take place.
Upcoming projects in Trojena
The Asian Winter Games in 2029 are to be held in Trojena. The decision, announced in the fall of 2022, triggered a heated controversy in the media, while climate change is increasingly inevitable. However, the competitions were not canceled.
Where is the work progressing?
Like all other Neom projects, Trojena is currently being built. The latest images of the progress of the work were published in October on Neom’s YouTube channel, and we can notably see the foundations of The Line being dug.
As for Trojena, only one photo of the work is visible. We can see several construction machines at work in the mountains.
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