A 400m long ski slope with varying terrain and a 62m vertical drop, a snow area the size of three football fields, over 6000 tons of real snow and a full capacity of 1,500 guests – all features of the Ski Dubai snow resort at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates.
Brought to life by retail development leader Majid Al Futtaim Investments, and already one of most recognisable landmarks on Dubai’s key thoroughfare, Sheikh Zayed Road, Ski Dubai will take its place in the history books as the world’s first mountain-themed, all-inclusive indoor ski resort and the first of its kind in the Middle East.
“Although there will be many reasons to visit Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai will be the key attraction, being the first of its kind in the region,” said Peter Walichnowski, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim Investments. When complete, the resort will feature five different multidirectional ski runs with a number of slope gradients, a dedicated learner’s area, snowboard stunt park and quarter pipe, as well as a 3,000 sq m Snow Park, a wonderland play area, where children from the region will be able to experience snow for the first time in the world’s largest indoor snow play area. Fresh snow will be made daily to offer ideal skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing conditions every day and temperatures within the Snow Park will be maintained at a comfortable -1 to -2 °C.
Scheduled to open in September 2005, Ski Dubai will provide visitors to Mall of the Emirates with a total snow experience. In addition to the world’s third longest indoor ski runs, Ski Dubai’s Snow Park will offer features and activities that include tobogganing hills, twin track bobsled racing and snowball shooting gallery, to name a few. The Park will recreate an authentic mountain environment with frozen waterfalls, rocky outcrops, and tree formations. Top-of-the-line infrastructure will include quad chairlift, button lift, equipment and clothing rental, state of the art ticketing system and qualified professional instructors.
For the less energetically inclined, Ski Dubai’s Snow Park will have a large observation tower, offering a view of the entire resort, including the skiers and snowboarders on the slopes. At the mountainside cafes, visitors will be able to sit comfortably with family and friends and watch the action on the slopes. “Our aim is to provide an introduction to snow for all ages and all skill levels,” said Phil Taylor, chief executive of Ski Dubai.
Mall of the Emirates will have an important role to play as the shopping, leisure and cultural centre for the community in which it operates. In addition to its anchor Harvey Nichols department store, it will also feature the region’s biggest Debenhams together with many of the world’s top brands from a range of retail sectors. Other leisure features at the mall include a 14-screen cinema complex, dedicated children’s play area and Dubai International Arts Centre and Community Theatre.