When we arrived at Ski Dubai, it took some time to get dressed and ready. It took us a good 45 minutes to try on and adjust our clothes, boots, skis and everything else. It was less organised than at typical ski resorts, but considering that most visitors did not have their own equipment, it was quite tolerable.
Ski Dubai has separate changing rooms for men and women, although there is also a shared space for those who don’t mind sharing. Lockers are located in the shared changing area.
We decided to change into our ski pants and jackets right there. We left our regular long underwear and shirts in the locker so they wouldn’t get in the way while skiing. When we first stepped into the cold zone, the temperature difference was noticeable.
Coming from the street, where it was about 100°F (38°C), this drop to 28°F (-2°C) was pleasantly refreshing. After about an hour, we felt that it had become cooler, but it was only after two hours on the slope that we really started to feel very cold.
Skiers and snowboarders ascend to the top of the mountain using a lift or tow rope. We mostly preferred the four-seater lift, as it allowed us to rest between runs and chat with other visitors. These chairs were also shared by snow park enthusiasts, so sometimes we had to wait a little for our turn. We used the tow rope several times – it turned out to be much faster. In addition to the speed, the ascent on the T-bar lift itself was a thrilling adventure!
There was also an automated system using wristbands that tracked our ascents up the mountain. It recorded our trips and informed us how much time we had left for skiing. This was convenient and allowed us to plan our time on the slopes more consciously.
Ski Dubai slopes.
When five slopes are advertised at Ski Dubai, there are actually only two parallel ski slopes, a quarter of a mile long, which descend from the top with a 90-degree turn in the middle. Skiers and snowboarders can choose to either get off halfway or return to the top.
Along the way, there is a small snack bar, Café Avalanche, where you can grab a bite to eat and warm up. And for snowboarders, there is a snowboard park at the top of the mountain.
Personally, I really liked Ski Dubai. The only thing that was a little disappointing was that there was no opportunity to buy a ski pin or patch to add to my collection of souvenirs from the ski resorts I have visited before.
If you happen to be in Dubai and you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, Ski Dubai is definitely worth a try. It’s a unique experience that should not be missed.
