A massive indoor ski resort with the longest slide in Europe has been given a major boost by the Welsh government. Rebeca Evans, Wales' Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, has passed down the decision for the £300million Rhydcar West site to Merthyr Tydfil's local council.

If constructed, Rhydcar West would see Merthyr Tyfdil host the largest indoor ski centre in the UK, as well as an indoor tropical water park, an artificial beach, hotels, woodland lodges and a conference centre. The complex is also expected to become the official headquarters for the GB and Welsh Olympic and Paralympic snow sports teams.

The local council's planning committee is expected to approve the plans for Rhydcar West early in the New Year. The committee voted unanimously against refusing the resort's planning application last spring, emphasising the money and jobs the site would bring to their town.

Nestled in the Brecon Beacons, Merthyr Tydfil was once the "Iron Capital of the World". Since the UK's industrial decline it has become known for its adventure tourism - although it remains one of the most deprived Welsh towns. Locals hope the new resort will boost Merthyr Tydfil's growing tourism industry.

Ali Tyebkhan, CEO of Rhydycar West, praised locals' "belief and enthusiasm" in the resort. He has pledged "lasting economic, social, and regeneration benefits for the region".

Chief executive at Snowsport Cymru Wales Robin Kellen added: "This news is massive for snow sports in Wales and the wider GB community and will result in increased opportunities for people to participate in skiing and snowboarding at a local and national level within Wales, as well as a huge step forward in the potential to develop competitions and training of our GB team athletes."  

With climate change ruining traditional ski resorts, indoor skiing is becoming an increasingly attractive option for an affordable short break.

China recently set an international example for indoor skiing. The L*SNOW Indoor Skiing Theme Resort boasts 100,000 square metres of snow and slopes, and is hugely popular with Chinese skiers looking for their winter sports fix as resorts worldwide struggle with poor snowfall.