Ski Dubai is the largest indoor ski resort in the Middle East, located on an area of 22,500 square metres at the Mall of the Emirates shopping centre. When it’s +40 outside and you want to cool off, Ski Dubai in Dubai is the perfect escape. A visit here will be remembered for a long time by both adults and children. In addition to five ski slopes and a separate snowboard track, there is also a snow park where you can have fun playing snowballs, riding snow tubes and sledding down an ice slide.
Children will be particularly delighted to meet the clumsy local inhabitants — penguins, which you can pet and even gently hug. For thrill seekers, there is a special attraction called the Snow Bullet, which will carry you on a fixed cable above the heads of skiers. I wonder who will be the fastest? Please note that tickets for the attractions are different, and I will tell you more about this below. So, let’s start at the beginning.
A snowy fairy tale at Ski Dubai
Once you are in the Mall of the Emirates, stay on the 1st floor (Ground Floor) and follow the signs to Ski Dubai. The entrance to the ski complex is directly from the shopping centre. If you decide to buy a day ticket and arrive early, you can first have breakfast and a cup of coffee at the North28 restaurant right next to the entrance, which offers a view of the ski slopes through glass panels.
The restaurant’s name is very symbolic and is associated with the 28th parallel north, which passes through the snow-capped peaks of Everest and the sand dunes of the Arabian Peninsula. Order delicious eggs Benedict with salmon or spinach. Or maybe you’ll prefer Turkish eggs with a refreshing yoghurt sauce or shakshuka (scrambled eggs with tomatoes). Either way, it will be delicious and will give you energy for a fun day ahead.
Although you will be provided with all the equipment and ski clothing, I recommend that you dress warmly, as the air temperature inside Ski Dubai is maintained at between -1 and -5 °C. Be sure to bring a sweater to wear under your jumpsuit (otherwise you will freeze) and a hat. In addition, gloves are not provided with tickets for 2 hours of skiing. You can leave your belongings in a lockable locker, which is included in the ticket price.
If you are with children or are a fan of skiing, I recommend buying a full-day ticket and arriving early to avoid the queues. Weekdays are also less crowded than weekends if you want to spend time in a more relaxed atmosphere. In general, Ski Dubai can accommodate up to 1,500 people daily.
In this Dubai ski park, which is as high as a 25-storey building, you will have endless opportunities to ski, snowboard, sledge and even ride inside an inflatable ball. Ski Dubai is suitable for everyone: beginners and experienced skiers and snowboarders alike. If you or your children suddenly need lessons to hone your skiing skills, they are also available here.
By the way, don’t worry about having to walk back up every time. Ski Dubai has a special chairlift for this purpose. As in any full-fledged ski resort, you can enjoy après-ski right next to the slopes. The cosy Avalanche café is located approximately in the middle. Make yourself comfortable on the terrace overlooking the delightful ski slopes and order a mug of the famous local hot chocolate to warm up.
