Opening of the huge Wood'n'Fun “Bear World” in See (Austria)
On August 15, 2024, the annual “Fest am Berg” of Bergbahnen See (Paznaun-Ischgl, Austria) took place at 1,800 meters above sea level. As part of the big party with around 2,000 vacation guests and locals, the new “Bear World” of the year-round destination was officially opened - a huge adventure and water play world, individually planned, built and constructed by Sunkid.
The complete redesign of the area included a path relocation, drainage in front of the gondola mountain station, earthworks as well as the new water world and play equipment from the Sunkid Wood'n'Fun portfolio. A total investment volume of almost 1.5 million euros, which the municipality and mountain railroads are financing together, according to mountain railroads managing director Mathäus Tschiderer. “It's an attractive offer for families,” emphasizes Michael Zangerl, TVB Paznaun-Ischgl in an interview with MeinBezirk.
“Seebi, the Bear” is the new mascot in the Medrig ski area and gives its name to the main attraction of the new summer play area - a 6.20-metre-high play tower with a unique bear design including the vacation region's logo. There are two slides, a lattice tunnel connecting the levels of the tower and four ball track elements (curved track, chimes, column labyrinth, xylophone) for romping around and exploring.
Other play equipment is designed in the look of Seebi's favorite food, honey: A “honeycomb play tower” invites children to swing, climb in and around a total of seven appropriately sized honeycombs. Honeycomb and flower elements adorn a “Wooden Ball Track Tower Soft” - a sand elevator and various wooden ball tracks extend the play options.
Two beehives, which like all the play equipment are made from untreated Austrian larch wood, await adventurous children at one of the newly created artificial play ponds. These little houses are easily accessible via footbridges and require even less balance and skill from the little ones than the other water skill elements on site. Although getting wet in shallow water is explicitly permitted and provides refreshment on hot summer days!
The “wet play area” is complemented by wooden water channels with lovingly themed elements and Archimedes' screw as well as a double raft system with footbridges, which invite you to take part in a friendly competition: Who can pull themselves to the opposite bank faster on their raft?
While there is almost no end to the fun for the little ones thanks to additional ball tracks as well as a balancing and motor skills course, adults can relax on the many ergonomically shaped loungers or seating sets that can accommodate the whole family.
“Together with the Styrian company Almholz, we created stable, weatherproof loungers, sports and play equipment,” says Emanuel Wohlfarter, CEO of Sunkid. “We would like to thank our customer for their trust in us to realize such a unique and sustainable family attraction in close proximity to our company headquarters in Imst, Tyrol. We are looking forward to implementing another great Wood'n'Fun project next year - at the swimming lake in the valley".
