Full Breakdown
Snow City to Close: Singapore’s First Indoor Snow Centre Bids Farewell
5/22/2026, 11:47:15 PM
Snow City’s Final Chapter: Closure Announcement
Snow City, the indoor snow centre in Jurong East, will close on 30 September 2026 after 26 years. The Science Centre Board (SCB) announced a “One Last Snowfall” farewell campaign (June–September) with Snow Play packages at S$19 for adults and S$16 for children, each covering an hour of snow play and a bumper-car ride.
From Novelty to Nostalgia: History and Evolution
Snow City opened in June 2000 as Singapore’s first indoor snow attraction, offering rare snowfall in a tropical climate. A 2015 revamp added climate-change education, new snow machines, igloos and playgrounds. Shifting visitor interests and difficulty modernising led to the closure decision.
Stakeholders and Staff
Key parties are the Science Centre Singapore (SCB), eight full-time staff offered redeployment, long-time ski operator Emeline Tan, actors Yang Yan and Dasmond Koh, junior college student Kate Ong, and tourist Kendrick Lim.
Visitor Experience and Pricing
A May 20 visit observed around ten families, including local celebrities, on the three-storey slope and bumper-car ride. The “One Last Snowfall” package cuts adult price from S$27 to S$19 and child price from S$23 to S$16.
Community Impact and Public Reaction
Snow City was a childhood rite of passage for many school-trip participants. Netizens called it “a good place to rekindle lovely memories” and mourned the loss of western-side recreation. Critics said the centre was “stuck in the 90s” and that rising affluence makes overseas winter travel easier, lowering demand for indoor snow.
Official Response from Science Centre Singapore
SCB said the closure aligns with its mission to keep attractions fresh, relevant and STEM-focused. It confirmed eight full-time staff will receive redeployment, outplacement assistance and severance per Ministry of Manpower guidelines, and that vendor contracts will be honoured.
Gaps in Information
Sources confirm the closure date and farewell campaign but give no data on annual visitors, financial performance or SCB’s criteria for deeming the attraction unviable.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Every part of the experience has been very close to my heart.” — Emeline Tan, ski operator
- “I think it’s an iconic place that Singaporeans grew up with, and we wanted to catch the last train, so to speak, and let the younger ones experience it.” — Dasmond Koh, actor and radio DJ
- “Nooooooo. Can't believe I took it for granted and now it'll be gone,” — Reddit user (anonymous)
- “Snow City’s closure reflects changing visitor interests SCB said the closure is part of an ongoing effort to keep its offerings fresh and aligned with changing visitor interests and its long-term focus on science education.” — Science Centre Singapore (SCB)
Looking Ahead: Farewell Campaign and Future Focus
The “One Last Snowfall” campaign runs weekly until 30 September 2026, allowing visitors to experience snow play and bumper-car rides at reduced rates. After closure, Science Centre Singapore will redirect resources toward expanding STEM-focused attractions and programmes.
