Within six months of there being such low temperatures in northern Europe that one of the world’s largest indoor snow centres, Snow World Landraaf, was using it chairlift to access outdoor natural snow, temperatures have risen so high that indoor snow has started melting at one centre in Belgium, despite the insulation.

The recent hot weather that has affected much of northern Europe saw some snow melting on the indoor slopes of Snowvalley at Peer in Belgium.

Snowvalley normally has temperatures of -3 Celcius on its indoor slopes but at temperatures outdoors went above +30C, the centre saw indoor temperatures move above freezing to +2C inside.

In response the centre’s management turned cooling machines up to maximum, which brought the interior temperature down to freezing, but also put up operating costs to pay for the higher energy requirements.

The centre is yet to confirm whether a corresponding increase in business as users head to the indoor snow slopes for relief from the high temperatures outdoors, has offset the increased operating costs.