Snowboarding and skiing in Dubai may feel like a plot of a bafta award winning drama movie; however, it exists. Dubai people yearned for the white Christmas experiences, which are normally associated with the colder regions during festive seasons, in the scorching 50 degrees celsius heart of the desert. Instead of just lying in bed and dreaming of the snow, they thought of ways to have the snow brought to them, and that led to the making of the Ski Dubai arena situated in the Mall of the Emirates. Everything from the design and construction of it to the skiing adventures one can have here are simply breathtaking; in what is arguably one of the unlikeliest of places.
Company Description of the Dubai Ski Slope Experience
Ski Dubai is an indoor amusement that has a skiing slope of a few thousand square meters in area. Jot it down as a gigantic fridge that ensures that the temperature inside remains around -1 to -2 degrees Celsius; a christmas Wonderland in the middle of the Saudi Arabian desert. Some of the play areas are a indoors skiing slope of 85 meters high with 5 different levels of the difficulty and the first one in the world negro diamond ramp. As for the first timers skiing or snow boarding Ski Dubai has special classes with trainers to teach skiing.
Other facilities are the slopes themselves and the snow park which is known as the Ski Dubai Snow Park; this is by far the largest indoor snow park. Measuring an area of 3, 000 meters square, it has a snow grotto, sled riding and body slide on ice. Sledding is one of the more popular activities for visitors whereby the can engage in snowball fights, visit the ice cave or just have the experience if playing on the snow.
Ski Dubai does not have the gigantic natural slopes that are in mountains but one has to agree skiing indoors in such a Unique structure makes the experience quite unique. The juxtaposition of the outside arid desert climate and what’s going on inside the building during winter is something that would be hard not to remember.
Meet the Penguins
The fact that there is a colony of penguins, which are native to the southern hemisphere residing in Ski Dubai at all times is one of the key main attractions. Obviously, that would be somewhat surreal – penguins living in the middle of a desert. Ski Dubai currently has Gentoo and King Penguins and they are properly accommodated within the facility. One can even do advance bookings for Penguin Encounters which involve getting acquainted with the Penguins, their lifestyle and even watch the “Penguin March,” where one can march along with the Penguins, literally. This activity is part of some of the packages in Ski Dubai or else it can be requested independently.
Location and Accessibility
Where is this Slope well situated in Dubai?
Ski Dubai is easily accessed as it lays within the Mall of Emirates the largest mall in the world. The mall is located in Al-Barsha district of Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road. From the external view from the street, there distantly rises the shape of the ski slope that is incorporated into the roof of the mall, thus representing one of the outstanding commercials for Dubai.
Now, you are probably wondering how you can visit Ski Dubai, well, the following is a guide to help you.
Ski Dubai is pretty easy to access since it is in Dubai. Mall of the Emirates is linked with its own station, also called Mall of the Emirates station and functioning as the part of the Red Line of the Dubai’s metro. This makes it easily accessible by different means of transport from many regions of the city. Also, taxis and private cars are flexible means of transport since there is adequate parking space at the mall.
Operating Hours
Ski Dubai operates with the following hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 10:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight
- Friday and Saturday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Visitors can access the slopes until 9:till 10:30 PM from Wednesday to Saturday and till 10:30 PM on Thursday and Friday. These extended hours make snow lovers to have ample of time at their disposal to engage more on the snowy activities.
Ticket Options
When it comes to ticketing, Ski Dubai has provided for many ticket options targeting clients with different preference and or budget to allow them access the facility. Although tickets can be bought at the event venue, doing it online is cheaper and you avoid the long queues.
Here are the available options:
Dubai City Pass
This card provides free access to more than 35 attractions in Dubai among which Ski Dubai is available and it will be cheaper especially if you have planned several visits.
Full Day Slope Pass
This pass costs 310 dirhams which is equivalent to 77.84 EUR or 84.40 USD and it entitles the holder of the pass to ski as much as he/she desires and it is more than enough time to cover Ski Dubai within and out.
2 Hours Slope Pass
Ski for two hours in the winter paradise for 210 dirhams (equivalent to 52. 73 EUR or 57. 18 USD). This option is ideal for all those who want a teaser of the activity but cannot spare a whole day.
Skifly – Slope Pass
Now you can make two exciting flights in one day: have time on the ski slope for two hours and two turns in the iFLY wind tunnel. This pass is 340 dirhams which is equivalent to 85. 38 EUR or 92. 57 USD.
Above that, Snow Premium – Slope Pass is waiting for everybody at 60$ per person per day.
This full day package gives access of all the slopes and the snow park together with an additional gear of gloves and locker, a lunch at Ski Dubai’s restaurant, hot chocolate , and finally a forty minute encounter with the penguins for 490 dirhams, approximately 123. 04 EUR or 133. 41 USD.
Snow Plus Pass
For 340 dirhams (about 85. 38 EUR or 92. 57 USD) you are allowed on the slope and the snow park for 2 hours. This pass is perfect for those who practice skiing frequently, popular amazing jumps and tricks, and people who wish to enjoy the day.
Snow Pass Discovery Lesson
Beginner’s pass costs 340 dirhams (approximately 85. 38 EUR or 92. 57 USD) which comes with one hour of group lessons, and all day access to the skiing activity area.
Due to this prediction Snow Premium’s Discovery Lesson Pass is likely to be a highly sought product in the market.
It is also possible to add a one-hour ski lesson to the Snow Plus pass for 490 dirhams (or 123. 04 EUR or 133. 41 USD) providing a rather useful fee to both the novices and the experienced skiers.
Student Pass
Far cheaper compared to the other packages, this pass lets students use the slopes for three hours for only 130 dirhams or approximately 32. 64 EUR or 35. 39 USD.
Activities at Ski Dubai
You can even enhance your trip to Ski Dubai through many fun activities that Ski Dubai has to offer. Here are some highlights:
Snow Park
The children’s park includes such snow facilities as snow ball aeration zone, ice cave, and tobogganing lanes. Quiet and peaceful, and not really designed for skiing either, it is a wonderful spot for families and children to play in the snow.
Penguin Encounter
Not only can visitors ski, they can also get up close to Ski Dubai’s inhabitants, the penguin, where they can get an insight on the birds. It comprises an informational lecture and the possibility of meeting the penguins and touching them.
Ski and Snowboard Lessons
Ski Dubai even provides lessons for novices to the advanced with professional trainers mainly because the Alps are in Dubai. Lessons are offered both individually and in groups; the courses do not depend on the student’s level.
Snow Bullet
But do not leave after skiing, try the Snow Bullet, which is an indoor zip line built above the ski slope. This is an exciting ride from which one gets a will to have a sneak preview of the snowy land below.
Conclusion
This is the epitome of the dream weavers that Dubai is to the world when it comes to winter tourism. Amidst the desert, the place that makes skiing possible for people would be Ski Dubai, which gives the visitors a thrill that is incredible. Starting from the grooming of the slopes and the snow parks to penguins and various kinds of tickets and passes, everyone is definitely going to find something for themselves. Novice or pro skier, visitor to the area or just planning something out of the ordinary Ski Dubai With a guarantee of not being a similar to your other traveling experiences. Thus, if you get to Dubai, do not hesitate to grab the ski and build the memories of a lifetime in this desert paradise.