Frontgrid, an expert in adventure leisure and virtual reality attractions and the creator of ParadropVR, is sharing how immersive technology can create a year-round revenue stream to help mountain destinations worldwide overcome the 'seasonal slump'.
The move toward a four-season model has become strategically vital for alpine resorts. Although summer hiking and biking remain key components, they are weather-dependent, and global warming is threatening the reliability of the ski season.
Frontgrid is addressing these seasonal challenges with its high-throughput, all-weather attraction that engages visitors year-round by bringing the thrill of mountain flight indoors.
Matt Wells, Frontgrid CEO and the inventor of ParadropVR will discuss the ROI of virtual adventure and the future of four-season resort planning at Mountain Planet Trade Show, which is taking place in Grenoble, France, from 21 to 23 April.
To arrange a meeting, please visit the Frontgrid website or email.
Powerful storytelling for challenging locations
This technology has established a reputation as a powerful tool for destination storytelling. Recently shortlisted for an IAAPA Brass Ring Award for Best Family Attraction, ParadropVR recreates the sensation of paragliding by merging physical motion with high-fidelity virtual reality (VR).
Wells says: "The mountain industry is at a turning point. Operators need to monetise their unique geography through all weathers and seasons. ParadropVR allows visitors to explore a destination’s peaks from the sky, regardless of the conditions outside.
"I am myself a former paratrooper and an experienced mountaineer based in Snowdonia, mountains and outdoor adventure are in ParadropVR’s DNA."
ParadropVR stands out for its interactive autonomy. In contrast to passive VR, users can self-steer and explore environments independently. Frontgrid provides a catalogue of mountain-themed subscription games, and can also create bespoke 'digital twins' of a client's specific landscape.
Fly Snowdon
Tammy Owens, business development director and producer, says: "We are seeing a major shift in destination tourism toward custom digital content.
"By creating digital twins, we allow guests to 'fly' over the very mountains they are visiting—a perspective usually reserved for elite paragliders.
"Whether the focus is pure arcade fun or 'edutainment', the experience is entirely tailorable. We have also produced games which aim to educate people about environmental issues such as overtourism and light pollution."
Since 2017, ParadropVR has delivered proven ROI across international installations, such as Fly Snowdon in the UK, Niagara Virtual in the US, and Fly Bangkok in Thailand.
The technology features a range of hardware configurations that suit challenging mountain locations.
The ParadropVR Rize maximises thrills with a larger motion drop and is suitable for larger indoor venues, while the ParadropVR Pod has a compact, modular design that can be transported using ski lifts or installed in smaller spaces.
ParadropVR Containerised
Meanwhile, the Containerised Pod offers weatherproof, 'plug-and-play' solutions that enable rapid outdoor deployment without requiring permanent construction.
Frontgrid officially launched the Containerised ParadropVR Pod at IAAPA Expo 2025.
