Life in former Earth temperate zones was a challenge. But for those who could afford it and gain reservations, tourist season in Antarctica (from the middle of November through most of March) increased the population dramatically. The main attraction, however, was not the town of Konni Bay itself, but the many ski resorts in the nearby Pensacola Mountains. For the less athletic thrill seekers, the Antarctic Polar Resort was the drawing destination. Recently opened, the resort was already widely known among the elite. 

Those arriving at the resort began at Konni Bay and concluded at the Antarctic Polar Resort for a week or more of sensational pampering. The trip from Konni Bay provided a thrill. Vacationers passed over the ski resorts of the Pensacola Mountains and then entered the rugged terrain of the Trans-Antarctic Mountains. On the first leg of the journey, tourists dressed in cocktail casual were pampered with champagne, opera vignettes, Avant-garde cocktails, and Hors d’oeuvres. They floated through the Pensacola Mountains suspended under massive solar-powered electric airships in a luxuriously appointed lounge. Panoramic windows in the floor and walls framed the incredible village scenes that varied from green Tyrolian roofed cottages to Swiss-style Alpine chalets.

The airships would glide low over the striking terrain and passengers could watch the lifts and skiers below. The mountainsides were devoid of natural trees. Instead, artificial solar power-generating evergreens dotted the landscape. They were varied and placed such that they would resemble natural forest areas. Most areas of the mountains were covered in a smooth white blanket that lent a benign purity to the landscape. However, the occasional rock outcroppings abruptly poking through reminded one of the hidden hazards below.

When the airships landed and were moored at their port at the foot of the Mountains, passengers were led to a depot where they were given their attire for the rest of the journey. Helmets, sun goggles, insulated jumpsuits, puff coats, and heated boots and gloves were issued. They then would board open-top trains that took them along the face of cliffs and through jagged mountain passes. The train journey ended at the summit of one of the highest peaks. There they would transfer into Sky Trams that slid on thick moving zip lines suspended over the icy white landscape. Sometimes the trams would be just a few feet above the ice and rocks.

But then they would fly out over an escarpment and the ground would rapidly drop away leaving the riders suspended sometimes more than a thousand feet above the ice fields. To ascend another peak, the cable wheels from which the Sky Trams were suspended would clamp on the moving zipline and be pulled to the next crest.

The Sky Tram trip ended at a group of hexagonal heliports leveled on stilts over the rocky terrain. They were all connected by walkways. Their helicopters would be waiting. Some heliports had standard transport helicopters, on others there were bright yellow Stunt Helicopters. The Stunt Helicopters were performance machines, highly maneuverable and acrobatic. 

Pilots were not aboard as they were autonomously controlled. Stunt Helicopters had counter-rotating blades so as not to require a tail rotor. The rotors had been designed with telescoping blades that could extend as needed for added lift. These special ‘copters would be reserved for small groups of thrill seekers. The ride was breathtaking with rapid descents down steep escarpments and soaring rises along icy cliff faces before bounding over the next summit and dropping down again. Everyone opting for the ‘Stunt Copter’ ride could choose to be medicated for vertigo and nausea if desired before boarding. Many, of course, chose to ride in the larger, more comfortable, and sedate transport helicopters.

The last leg of the journey to the Resort was on the snow-covered ground. Ski tractors pulling open sleds would be lined up near the helicopter landing pads. However, thrill seekers could choose high-speed bob-sleds on heated runners. For the truly adventurous, much slower dog sleds were available. The trip covered approximately 402 kilometers so each option included overnights on the ice. The dogsled runs required eight to ten overnights.

During an overnight stop double walled pop-up tents protected the tourists. The evening would be filled with Chef prepared dinners followed by professional talks on the local climate, penguin colonies, and geologic features. Most popular were lectured on astronomy accompanied by visual presentations. During the off-season winter months, observatories near the South Pole collected many different recordings of the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights). During the summer tourist months, those images were projected in holographic relief within domed blackout tents. Thus, viewers could see in vivid detail the moving colors of orange, pink, purple, and gold without enduring traveling there in the winter.

There were also planetarium shows not only of the stars above the South Pole but also of various planets, stars, and galaxies. They even showed progress views of the evolving Space Islands and the NASA Bases on the Moon and Mars. Each night featured different projections. An astronomer supplemented the visuals explaining what was being shown and pointing out significant details. The program would be completed on the last night with a virtual 3D voyage through the solar system supplemented with scenes of virtual flybys of distant exoplanets detailing some of the more unique features. The nights camped on the surface of the ice and snow were highlights of the journey.

The last part of the excursion took the travelers directly to the Antarctic Polar Resort. The Complex was contained under a huge double-glazed dome that covered an area close to 6 square kilometers. The dome was centered over the geologic South Pole which was marked by a pure white obelisk that rose 10 meters. The heated air was circulated between the double glazing of the dome to keep it within its temperature performance specs during occasional violent storms. It was also engineered to screen out almost all of the ultraviolet light that streamed through the massive southern ozone hole.

Thus, the tropical island-themed paradise underneath with its graceful palms and sandy pool beaches was protected. Even during the winter months, the resort was open. Then it was tended by a small resident maintenance staff. This replica was a treat as most of the real island resorts had disappeared. If they still poked above the ocean waves, they were too hot and humid and/or subject to severe weather to attract people. Aside from the Hawaiian Islands and other archipelagos of volcanic origin, those that remained certainly no longer could be considered island paradises.