Officials shut down Florida’s first snow park for health and safety violations

Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park opened Nov. 20

Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park (Copyright 2020 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

Dade City, Fla – Less than a month after opening, Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park has closed its doors after a Pasco county inspector discovered fire, building, electrical and plumbing violations. The theme park located in Dade City announced the closure on Facebook Thursday afternoon.

Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park (WKMG-TV)

In an email sent Thursday evening, Pasco County government said on Nov. 25 they became aware that Snowcat Ridge was operating in unsafe structures, without required permits, inspections, or a certificate of occupancy. “Although several permits have been pulled for the project since July, only one permit has been closed to date. The park has not requested any inspections for the other outstanding permits” government officials explained.

Photos released by the Pasco County’s inspection office shows exposed electrical boxes, unpermitted plumbing and structural issues with the attraction’s front entrance, which features stacked shipping containers.

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Pasco County Government has temporarily shut down the Snowcat Ridge Alpine Snow Park in Dade City.

Snowcat Ridge officials said they weren’t provided any documentation or written explanation of the violations. “Further, Pasco County has failed to recognize our State of Florida amusement ride approvals and will not allow us to open Snowy Slopes,” the Facebook comment went on to explain.

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Snowcat Ridge said on social media that it has a legal team working to keep it open, but government officials said the park will remain closed until all life-safety violations are corrected.