Forget Swimming Pools: The New Billionaire Status Symbol Is a $130,000 Personal "Snow Room"

The Guardian takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the latest trend among those sitting atop the "financial Everest"—indoor "snow rooms."

What Is It and How Does It Work?

A snow room is an enclosed space designed to recreate a real winter wonderland complete with falling snow. The technology is borrowed from ski resorts: specialized equipment sprays fine water droplets at low temperatures to produce genuine, fresh snow.

The Big Question: Why Make Snow Indoors?

The simple answer: Because they can. If you're a billionaire living in a hot climate, having fresh snow falling in your home is the ultimate display of financial dominance.

What Do People Do in There, and Are There Health Benefits?

Inside a snow room, people typically lounge in a bathrobe enjoying the falling snowflakes before stepping into a hot sauna.

Manufacturers claim it serves as a "biophilic design element" that fosters a beneficial atmosphere for both body and mind. In reality, the actual health benefits stem mostly from contrast therapy (alternating between heat and cold), while the snow itself offers no unique healing properties.

Snow at Sea and the Price Tag

If the idea of making snow inside a house sounds like the pinnacle of extravagance, how about snow at sea? For instance, the 134-meter superyacht Serene, owned by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, comes fully equipped with its own snow room.

• Cost: Base prices start at around $130,000 (approx. £100,000). Custom touches—such as marble finishes, artificial rock formations, or trees—can easily drive the price up significantly.

• Environmental Footprint and Maintenance: According to manufacturer TechnoAlpin, a snow room consumes about 200 liters of water per week. Interestingly, up to 80% of the electricity used can be repurposed to... heat your swimming pool.