You are using an outdated browser. To have the best experience use one of the following browsers:
Terme Merano
Italy
![[Translate to english:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/1/c/csm_EditedThermeMeran_67c7dbdbe8.jpg "[Translate to english:]")
![[Translate to english:]](/fileadmin/_processed_/9/6/csm_SNOWROOMThermeMeran_854fcc6d1e.jpeg "[Translate to english:]")
Located in the heart of the South Tyrolean spa town of Merano, Terme Merano has been a destination for relaxation, health and wellbeing for over 20 years. In spring 2026, a central part of its sauna facilities underwent an extensive renovation. The project introduced a new concept that gives the cooling phase after sauna greater attention: a dedicated Snow Area featuring one SNOWROOM and two SNOWSKY installations by TechnoAlpin Indoor.
Bringing Nature Indoors
The idea behind the new Snow Area goes beyond simply upgrading the existing facilities. For Director Adelheid Stifter, the aim was to strengthen the connection with nature while offering guests something authentic and distinctive.
Snow is an essential part of South Tyrol's Alpine landscape. At Terme Merano, it can now be experienced throughout the year, regardless of the season or outdoor temperatures. At the same time, it adds another dimension to the wellness offering: the conscious transition from warmth to natural cold.
Three Applications, One Connected Experience
At the heart of the new Snow Area is the SNOWROOM. At approximately –10°C, guests experience a gentle form of cooling in an environment filled with real snow. They can breathe in the crisp air, walk through the snow or apply it directly to their skin, choosing the intensity of the experience for themselves.
The snow room is complemented by two SNOWSKY installations, which create real snowfall at room temperature. One is located within the sauna area, while the other has been integrated into the pool area, making the experience accessible to guests who are not using the sauna facilities.
Together, these applications offer different ways to experience snow, from the light sensation of falling snowflakes to stepping into a fully winter-like environment.
"We wanted to bring nature into Terme Merano and offer our guests something authentic – an experience they cannot find everywhere."
— Adelheid Stifter | Director of Terme Merano
Architecture Shaped by Snow
The architectural design of the approximately 80 m² Snow Area was developed by the South Tyrolean studio monovolume architecture + design.
Inside the SNOWROOM, layered, sculptural wall structures draw inspiration from the silhouettes of the surrounding Alps. Snow gradually settles on the surfaces, continuously changing their appearance. A mirrored ceiling and integrated linear lighting enhance the spatial effect.
Snow itself becomes part of the architecture. Nature and design interact to create an environment whose atmosphere evolves as snow accumulates throughout the space.
Making Cooling an Essential Part of the Sauna Ritual
The transition between heat and cold has always been central to traditional sauna culture. Yet while the heat experience often takes centre stage, the cooling phase that follows is frequently approached from a purely functional perspective.
The new Snow Area gives this part of the ritual a dedicated space. Alongside traditional water-based cooling methods, guests can choose between different forms of cooling and experience the temperature change at their own pace.
This not only expands the possibilities within the sauna area but also makes cooling a more conscious and meaningful part of the overall wellness experience.
A New Experience That Resonates with Guests
With the new Snow Area, Terme Merano continues its commitment to developing and improving the guest experience. The investment combines the modernisation of existing facilities with the ambition to offer guests new and authentic experiences.
The first positive results became apparent in the months following the opening. In its summer 2026 review, Terme Merano reported that the new Snow Area had been well received by guests, including during the hottest summer days.
The project demonstrates how natural cold can be integrated into an established wellness concept, not as a standalone feature, but through a considered combination of functionality, architecture and sensory experience.