Archinect - News

'Of course we're not closing!': CopenHill ski slope operator pushes back against potential closure

2021-08-25T20:37:00-04:00

Following recent reports in the local Danish press that the famed CopenHill ski slope atop Copenhagen's Amager Bakke waste-to-energy plant could face temporary, or possibly permanent, closure due to unexpected wear and tear of its skiing surface, the operator of the BIG-designed attraction has now publicly denied the need to close.

CopenHill published a statement titled Facts about the ski surface on Amager Bakke: Of course we're not closing! on its website in which it acknowledges the faster than expected deterioration of the slope's surface fibers but assures that the damaged parts would be replaced soon without the need to close the slope.

"Yes, we experience that the steep part of the ski slope's surface wears faster than expected, and therefore, parts of the surface must be replaced," the statement reads. "When the ski base needs to be replaced, it is done in smaller areas at a time. It will therefore not go beyond opening hours, and you will continue to be able to ski in the ...

BIG's CopenHill ski slope may be closing after unexpected wear and tear incites insurance dispute

2021-08-24T12:00:00-04:00

Bad news for architectural tourists as local Danish publications are reporting that the ski slope atop the famous Bjarke Ingels-designed CopenHill waste-to-energy plant may have to be dismantled and repaired thanks to unseen wear and tear that could potentially close the popular urban destination until 2024.

The Copenhagen Post is reporting that an expected 9.5 million Kroner ($1.5 million) overhaul may loom for the feature pending the resolution of a dispute between the Amager Bakke Foundation and the Danish insurance company Tryg.

Located on the city’s Amager island, the multipurpose slope was central to the design of the nearly $670 million conversion plant which opened in March of 2017.

The slope itself opened two and half years later and is now facing a total reinstallation after a Foundation statement in June cited safety concerns that were the result of continued deterioration.

Previously on Archinect: BIG's waste-to-energy ski slope, Amager Bakke, is now open

Because Tryg ha...

BIG's Copenhagen waste-to-energy plant is finally getting the promised ski slope and rooftop park

2018-01-11T15:20:00-05:00

Remember that waste-to-energy incinerator Bjarke Ingels designed for Copenhagen with a ski slope on top a few years back? The plant itself (dubbed 'Copenhill') was already completed and opened in March of 2017, but the ski-slope-rooftop-park-cherry-on-top was left behind — until now: Danish landscape architects SLA just unveiled the final design for the 16,000 sqm Amager Bakke rooftop activity landscape based on the initial BIG master plan.

Image: SLA

From SLA: "When completed in September 2018, the green rooftop park will provide a host of outdoor activities for Copenhageners and visitors alike: Hiking trails, playgrounds, street fitness, trail running, vantage points, climbing walls and shelters – as well as 500+ meters ski slopes designed by BIG."

Image: SLA

"Creating a nature-filled activity park on top of the 88 meters tall waste-to-energy plant is a project without previous references: The extremely steep slope of the roof has put great demands on the planting design and the co...

The ski-slope-on-top-of-a-building's-roof thing may be coming to Kazakhstan

2015-12-02T13:53:00-05:00

A new housing complex planned in Astana, Kazakhstan's capital, is set to include a 1,000ft ski slope, running from the roof to the ground. The proposed project was devised by a group of architects, led by Shokhan Mataibekov, who were inspired by Kazakhstan's exceedingly long, cold winter. [...] Enter House Slalom, a multi-purpose, 21-storey building comprised of shops on the ground floor, 421 flats on the upper floors, and an outdoor ski slope running alongside the building.

The idea looks strangely familiar...

Bjarke Ingels designs incinerator that doubles as ski slope in Copenhagen

2011-07-05T12:02:00-04:00

How do you turn a 100-metre-tall incinerator in the heart of Copenhagen into a social and cultural hub? By building a ski slope on the roof, of course.

We also published news of this project back in January.