BIG’s CopenHill Combines Ski Slope and Waste-to-Energy Powe

Some 11 years after first being unveiled, the much-anticipated CopenHill, by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) is now finally open to the public. The project is an inspired combination of a waste-to-energy power plant and a ski slope in Copenhagen, Denmark.

CopenHill (aka Amager Bakke) also involved SLA, AKT, Lüchinger+Meyer, MOE and Rambøl. The eye-catching building features a facade made up of glass and stacked aluminum bricks – though, alas, the plan to install a steam ring generator was never realized.A large artificial ski slope runs from top to its bottom and there’s also a freestyle area and a timed slalom course, plus lower slopes for beginners and kids.

The slopes are reached by ski lifts or a glass elevator.In addition to the skiing, other attractions at CopenHill include the world’s tallest climbing wall, which measures 85 m (278 ft), a rooftop bar, cross-fit area, and a tree-lined hiking and running trail. The man-made mountain contains some 7,000 bushes, 300 pine and willow trees, plus other greenery.