Goa’s first freezing-n-icy, Snow World in Calangute started by four entrepreneurs is a cool idea for tourists entertainment, says Joseph Pinto Tourism in Goa is 365 days a year thanks to the place being the favorite travel destination of many. But while sightseers appreciate Goa’s scenic beauty and beaches they long for more entertainment options. A unique concept started by four chemical engineers coming all the way from Gujarat, for the first time in Goa is a snow park. The snow park near Tito’s lane, Calangute is spread over 500 sq.mtr of land is turning out a hit among families looking for clean entertainment.
The concept of starting a snow park was a unique idea that came to the mind of four friends who by profession are chemical engineers. Having worked for a steel company in Gujarat they dreamt of starting their own business. The meager salary in their job made them move to Gulf and earn big bucks. It was only after returning to India that the mates set their plan in motion and finally hit on the idea of starting a snow park.
In our short stint in Gulf we had come across a snow world which was highly popular with families and the idea of venturing into similar business came from that, says Mahindra Patil. His other three friend- partners are Nikhil Patil, Vishal Patil and Niruv Champareriyz.
Their first snow park was in 2012 in Rahul Raj Mall, Gujarat. It was in an area covering 200 sq. mtrs and successful. The concept picked up well with the locals and buoyed by the achievement the foursome decided to foray to other parts of the country. Goa as a location for a snow park was chosen keeping in mind the tourist potential and footfalls.
Patil says that the friends first came to Goa as tourist and went around the place for almost 15- 20 days checking out the market and gauging clientele. South Goa was a possible location and the friends first planned to start the snow world in Verna but the deal fizzled out after the tie-up with an aquarium dealer did not go through. He thought that the concept would be a failure and money would go down the drain, says Patil.
However in the beach belt area of north-Goa Baga they later we met Sanjeev Tharkar a land lord who had started a bazaar but it did not click. The foursome hired the place from him on a 10- year long lease after which they started working on the project.
The whole concept is our brain child, says Patil. The project planning and design is by us and there is no chemical of whatsoever used in the process of making snow, he says. Explaining the process of manufacturing artificial snow, he says that its is just pure drinking water with simple mechanical process aided by a compressor the water is thrown on a chilling surface that turns it into ice. Subsequently with the help of a cutter the ice is crushed to make ice flakes and snow machine is used to make snow.
The snow park is a unique concept in Gao and likely to be a novelty to even locals who have not seen snow. The state has a water park and a snow park occupies a niche space, feels Patil. From February 14 the snow park will be lit with disco lights and a DJ will add to the thrill of playing with snow. Entry fee is currently Rs 495 per person but in July the rate is set to increase to Rs 750 per person. The park offers the thrill of sledging, ice sliding, walk on a 8 inches of snow. There are sculptors of polar bear in the place along with an igloo. More snow based items are in the pipeline, says Patil who is the only partner in charge of the Goa unit while the other three friends-cum-partners look into business in other states.
Another amusement park in pipeline for Goa, says Patil. But he does not specify what it is. He does not want to let the cat out of the bag but promises that the next project will also be the first of its kind in Goa.