Think glitz and glam in the Middle East and there are few travellers who will not immediately envision the city of Dubai. Attracting the attention of spendthrift jet-setters the world over, the oil-rich emirate is a modern-day year-round pleasure spree for the moneyed elite.
Ski Dubai is the city’s latest addition to an already extensive repertoire of cutting-edge leisure avenues on the kind of staggering scale that characterizes Dubai tastes. Encompassing an area of over 22,500 square metres, which is roughly the length of three football fields, Ski Dubai is the Middle East’s first ever indoor ski resort. Packed in 30 tons of fresh, artificially made snow Ski Dubai is equipped with ski slopes to satisfy everyone from tentative beginners to thrill-seeking pros. The most challenging of these slopes reaches over 60 metres in height and 400 metres in length and is the first indoor black run ever built. The price of admission also covers all the ski and sporting equipment and clothing you will need to participate in the fun inside. A team of professionals are also on hand for those who wish to have some instruction in skiing or snowboarding.
A 3000 square metre Snow Park adjoins the slopes with interactive runs such as sled, snowboard, toboggan and body slides as well as a myriad of other entertainments such as an ice cave, a mirror maze and a 3D theatre. Parents and children alike can also choose to have some more old-fashioned snowy fun making snowmen or having snowball fights.
After a day of icy adventure, you can satiate your appetites in any one of the themed restaurants attached to the Snow Park such as Avalanche Café and St. Mortiz Café.
The park is attached to the Mall of Emirates, the largest shopping complex in the region. Both the behemoth shopping mall and Ski Dubai was developed by the Majid Al Futtain Properties, which owns some of the largest retail complexes in the world.
The entire facility is an engineering marvel, being designed in the fashion of a massive, efficiently insulated ice box. The ground is covered in three feet of fresh snow at all times; the flakes are made in process that mimics their natural creation. Pure water is chilled and blown into the freezing cold environment of around −6 °C, whereupon it crystallizes into the lovely snowy drifts. This snowfall usually takes place at night-time; during operational hours the facility is usually kept at a comfortable temperature of around −1 °C.
Ski Dubai has enjoyed worldwide recognition and appeal since its inception, having garnered accolades such as the Themed Entertainment Association’s Thea Outstanding Achievement Award. It has also been featured in television such as the reality game show Amazing Race Asia. All in all, Ski Dubai is yet more evidence that there really is nothing you can’t find in a desert city of princes.
If you’re looking for a Dubai airport hotel to base your stay in the city, the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai is always a well-considered choice. The international business class accommodation not only offers proximity to the city centre and its administrative heart but also fine service and great Dubai hotel deals for the discerning traveller.
