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THE least one would expect in a place that had been a sand desert is an opportunity to ski. Call it marvel of technology or the sheer will of a country to provide all that is beautiful and adds to pleasure, Dubai has done exactly that. Ski Dubai, the world’s first indoor mountain-theme resort, offers a chance to enjoy snow in Dubai all through the year. From more than 30ºC temperature outside, entering the Ski Dubai was like shifting to an altogether different geographical zone. Flakes of fresh snow welcomed us as we stepped inside the resort. Had it not been for the special clothes and footwear provided to us by the resort staff, the –1º temperature would not have let us stay in for more than a couple of minutes. Unlike most ski centres that use artificial snow, snow in this centre is fresh, without any added chemicals. The area under snow, 22,500 sq m, is the equivalent of three football pitches, with runs built inside a giant, slanting metal tube around 25 floors high. The ice cavern area had a crystal dragon emitting red light. Further there were some innovative crystal toys that added to the playfulness of the area.
The interior was not just white snow-covered area, but a beautiful combination of green, blue, red and black runs, chairlifts and snow patrols. When one looked up one could get an impression of a perfect blue sky. From tiny tots to the elderly, the place (with a capacity for 335 persons) had a large number of snow sport enthusiasts. Children as well as adults were having fun in the huge interactive Snow Park which, at 3,000 sq m, is the largest indoor snow park in the world. There also were professional instructors helping those who came for lessons in skiing. Those skiing were having`A0fun being carried down the slopes, and them promptly being carried back through quad-chairlifts and tow lifts back to the top for another run. Most visitors could be seen sitting in the themed restaurants inside the centre, from where one could enjoy the view of the slopes. Even as our host Jonathan Eveleigh from Al Naboodah Laing O Rourke was patient enough and let us spend a little more than the scheduled time the experience only left us wanting for more. For Dubai, that has remained popular primarily for its shopping and warm beach holidaying, Ski Dubai is for sure an attraction tourists would be little able to resist. |
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Ski
Dubai has five ski runs and the first ski slope with a bend. At
80 metres across at widest section and over 20 metres high, it
has the world’s largest snow play area too with a capacity for
1,500 visitors. It is 400 metres long and 60 metres high at the
top of slope, becoming the third biggest in the world.