Welcome to one of the world’s most magnificent ski resorts with the world’s first 400-meter Diamond Run. Is it in Switzerland? No. Is it in the US? No – it’s in Dubai, one of the hottest cities in the world. Undoubtedly, Ski Dubai is one of the unique ways to beat the heat in Dubai. It’s only in Dubai that you can transport yourself from scorching desert to a winter wonderland, at the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort- Ski Dubai. This incredible snow park in Dubai spans an incredible 22,500 square meters and is located in the Mall of the Emirates. It’s snowy all-year-round here – no need to wait for winter when you feel like trying on a pair of ice skates!
Here’s everything you wanted to know about Ski Dubai, the permanent desert winter wonderland.
All About Ski Dubai
Best Time to Visit Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai is open throughout the year and is a great way to find respite from the sultry heat of Dubai. Anytime is a good time to visit Ski Dubai, but the summer months are the best time to visit.
Ski Dubai Timings
- Sunday to Thursday – 10:00 am – 12:00 midnight
- Friday to Saturday – 09:00 am to 12:00 midnight
- The last ticket of the day will be sold at 9.30 pm from Saturday to Wednesday, at 10.30 pm from Thursday to Friday.
- Timing for Penguin March viewing – Daily at 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and 8:00 pm
Ski Dubai Location
Mall of the Emirates, Interchange 4, Sheikh Zayed Road
How to Reach Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai can be easily reached by car/taxi, bus or metro.
- By Bus – Take the F29, F30, F33, F35, J01, 81, 93 and 105 no. bus.
- By Metro – Take Metro’s Red line running from Rashidiya Station to UAE Exchange station. Mall of the Emirates Metro link is set on the first floor overhead Carrefour. Once you reach the Mall of the Emirates, simply follow the signs to reach Ski Dubai.
Ski Dubai Tickets and Pricing – Snow Classic, Ski Dubai Snow Plus & Snow Daycation Pass
Ski Dubai price depends on the ticket you choose. Choose from Ski Dubai Snow Classic or Ski Dubai Snow Plus – Includes Unlimited access to Snow Park Rides (Ice Cave, Snow Plough Playground, Climbing Wall, Bobsled Runs, Snow Bumpers, Sliding Hill, Zorb Ball (Giant Ball) & Tubing Run) and One Chairlift Ride and one Mountain Thriller Ride. Ski Dubai Snow Plus gives you the option to choose from a Penguin Encounter or a Snow Bullet Ride or a Discovery Lesson or a Slope Session.
Want to take your rendezvous with snow to the next level? Opt for Snow Daycation Pass that offers you a whole day access to the rides and attractions at Snow Parks, such as Mountain Thriller, Tubing Run and Snow Bumpers. You also get to enjoy one Chairlift Ride, along with the chance to select from one of these experiences: Snow Bullet Ride, 60-minute Discovery Lesson, 40-minute Penguin Encounter or two-hour Slope Session (but access is limited to intermediate level 2 skiers only.) Top off your Daycation with Ski Dubai’s signature hot chocolate drink.
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What to Expect at Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai’s wintry landscapes are always set at -4 degrees Celsius. The first indoor ski park of the Middle East offers 5 runs of varying challenge, gradient and height, perfectly suited to different skill levels. The longest run is 400 meters long with a fall of over 60 meters – a Diamond Run, meant for experienced snowsports athletes. Beginners can get used to their skis in Snow Park Dubai which spans 3000 square meters.
That apart, Ski Dubai has a fabulous chairlift from which you can enjoy epic views. There are exciting tobogganing hills for those who love to enjoy swooshing down a ski slope as a group. There’s also the world’s first sub-zero zip line at indoor ski resort Dubai! If that weren’t enough, Ski Dubai offers visitors a chance to meet and get to know King and Gentoo penguins. You can play with them, watch them waddle on the snow and introduce your kids to them. What’s more, you can even swim with the penguins! Indoor skiing Dubai is great fun, a treat not to be missed.
When you enter Ski Dubai’s lobby, you’ll find Snow Pro, the exclusive Ski Dubai retail outlet, where you can get a kit of warm clothing. You can also pick up the most advanced ski equipment there. What’s more, you’ll receive guidance from the expert staff on which sports kit to select and how to manage the slopes. If you are a beginner skier, there are people who can help you come to grips with the basics.
Ski Dubai Activities and Services
1. Skiing Down the Slopes!
You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy skiing down one of Ski Dubai’s slopes. There are five runs as we’ve mentioned, of varying difficulty. Choose the height and gradient you’re most comfortable with and then go. There’s a Freestyle Zone where experts can show off their skill set. A number of people pick up Ski Dubai tickets just to watch experts shimmy their way down the Freestyle Zone at great speeds.
2. Snowboarding Can Be Great Fun!
Not much of a skier? Don’t worry. Use the same slopes for snowboarding! You can pick up a snowboard for your size in the lobby. Snowboarding can be great fun, especially when you’re racing friends and family. Plus if you get stuck, you can always throw snowballs at the others, just to make sure they don’t win.
3. Flying On the Snow Bullet!
Want to fly through the air, 16 meters above the snowy ground? You can do so now on the world’s first indoor 150 meters long zip line. It doesn’t matter how many times you do it – each time feels special, as though it’s the first time you’re zipping. Of course, you’ll need to comply with specific rules and regulations in order to fly the Snow Bullet such as age, health conditions, safety briefing and so on.
4. Zorbing
Have you tried zorbing on a snow slope? It’s a lot of fun, and quite a different experience when compared to zorbing down an earthy cliff. Get into the inflated transparent ball and zoom down a snowy slope, surrounded by brilliant white snow.
Read More: Top Indoor Activities in Dubai for All Age Groups and Interests
5. Tobogganing
Tobogganing doesn’t have to be just for kids. You can get into a sled with your kids and zoom down a slope as well. Its great fun for all age groups, especially for those who are unable to ski or snowboard by themselves.
6. Penguins Ahoy!
At Ski Dubai, you’ll find several beautiful Gentoo and King Penguins who reside in a specially designed habitat. Penguins are usually found in arctic regions – their native habitat is a place of extreme cold. But these penguins thrive in the hot desert, within the confines of Ski Dubai which is maintained at a chilly temperature which is apt for the penguins. The penguin park is equipped with a nice and comfy top deck, a private pool, and a holding area.
King Penguins are the second largest in the world; you can identify them by their signature bright orange patches on the sides of their heads. Gentoo penguins are the third largest penguins available in the world. They have a white cap that extends from eye to eye and goes over their heads. You can watch the penguins as they stomp around behind their glass enclosure, jumping into the pool and generally having fun.
7. Alpine-inspired Café
Make your visit to Ski Dubai memorable by enjoying a cup of cocoa at the mountain-top North 28 Restaurant. You can take the chairlift to Avalanche Café or walk up the slope into Ice Café located at the near the Snow Plough. The best part is that this is the only spot in UAE where you can sip a hot cup of cocoa cozying up in your warm clothing while it’s a freezing minus 4 degrees around you.
8. Special Ski Coaching
Love to ski but not confident enough? Take advantage of the incredible in-house Ski School at Ski Dubai, where both grownups and kids can obtain coaching from top instructors. You can even avail of one-on-one sessions with experts to fine-tune your skiing abilities. If you’ve been skiing on one of the easier tracks, sign up for some ski schooling and then try the challenging slopes. What better place to build on your skills than in the safe and comfortable environment of an indoor ski resort?
Essential Tips for Visitors
- Adhere to the rules and instructions provided for safety to avoid any mishaps. Certain requirements are needed for visitors to ski alone. Absolute beginners can ski if they book a skiing lesson. If not, they can opt for other joy rides such as ziplines and toboggan to name a few.
- Choose rides that are appropriate for you.- All visitors under 13 years old and those using freestyle facilities must wear helmets.
- Make sure you get jour tickets ahead of time to avoid any disappointments. The best option is to book Ski Dubai tickets online.
- Some parts of the snow can be extremely slippery, hence move with caution and it is better if you do not run in the snow.
- Children under 2 years of age re not allowed in Ski Dubai for safety reasons.
- Guests under the age of 14 years must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Nearby Attractions from Ski Dubai
If you have more time to spend after visiting Ski Dubai, you can head to these nearby attractions and club them together as a combo tour to make the most of your day in Dubai.
– Jet Ski Dubai and Flyboard Watersport adventures- 20 minutes drive
– Jumeirah Public Beach – 20 minutes drive
– Burj Al Arab Jumeirah – 20 minutes drive
Takeaway
Ski Dubai is an attraction like no other – an extraordinary indoor ski resort nestled in a hot desert city. The irony of it is one of the reasons for its popularity. One simply does not expect snow in a country that burns that hot! Ski Dubai is more than just a pleasant attraction though. It is a ski resort that even professional skiers take delight in. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags to Dubai today and enjoy pulling on fur-lined jackets in the boiling desert!