Everyone is familiar with Dubai’s hot weather and high humidity, but it is also known for its state-of-the-art structures and ingenious inventions. You’d be surprised by all the hidden tourist activities in the city. One example is skiing without authentic snow and genuine cold temperatures.
Indoor skiing in Dubai is the best way to beat the summer heat and experience what winter feels like. It’s a treat not to be missed, especially if you’re in the heart of the city. So, if you’re ready to enter winter wonderland and plan a hassle-free winter vacation in Dubai, take this guide with you!
Things to Know Before You Go Skiing in Dubai
Skiing is a fun activity perfect for couples and big groups. There are ski resorts and indoor ski centers in Dubai that can offer you the perfect winter adventure itinerary. To prepare for a hassle-free experience, keep these things in mind before you book your first ski tickets in Dubai:
What is Skiing?
Skiing is a sport, recreational activity, and a type of transport that involves gliding on snow with a pair of skis—long and narrow pieces of wood, metal, or plastic. There are many types of skiing, and they differ based on the techniques and equipment used. The most common types of skiing are:
Alpine – downhill skiing
Nordic – cross-country skiing with ski jumping
Telemark – a combination of Alpine and Nordic with a different kind of ski board
Skiing is viewed as a competitive winter sport in countries such as Sweden, Finland, and Norway. International skiing competitions are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Ski Federation (FIS). In Dubai, however, skiing is an exciting indoor activity that tourists and residents alike can enjoy. Winter in the city lacks snow, so recreation companies developed real-like Dubai skiing resorts, which can cater to big groups.
Who Can Ski in Dubai?
Indoor skiing in Dubai is a family-friendly activity, so there are typically no serious restrictions to children and adults. Read on below to know the minimum requirements.
Skiing Age Restrictions
Indoor skiing in Dubai is a family-friendly activity. The minimum age required to go skiing in Dubai is two years old. A parent or guardian should accompany children ages two to eight at all times. Children below the limit may still go to a Dubai skiing resort, but they cannot partake in the activity or go to the actual ski area.
Skiing Weight Restrictions
In general, there are no weight restrictions for skiing since the ski lifts are very sturdy. This restriction also applies to ski resorts in Dubai. These resorts, however, may impose weight restrictions on other snow activities.
Skiing Health Restrictions
Indoor skiing is considered a low-risk activity, so there are no severe health restrictions imposed in most ski parks in Dubai. Children ages two and up and adults can go skiing unless they have severe physical injuries and diseases.
Pregnant women in their early pregnancy may go skiing provided that they’ll only do moderate levels of exercise. Some ski resorts in Dubai don’t offer adaptive equipment for people with disabilities and special needs, but other snow activities and attractions in the venue are wheelchair-accessible.
Does Skiing Requires Skills and Experience?
While ski instructors are expected to have training and experience, casual skiers don’t need any before skiing. They can pick up new skills during the activity and every time they ski. Beginners are encouraged to improve their weight distribution techniques, core stability, pole positioning, and motion range.
Is Skiing Safe and Regulated in Dubai?
Outdoor skiing in mountainous areas and thick snow can be dangerous, but several studies say that it is statistically not more dangerous than cycling or football. Recreational skiing, such as indoor skiing in Dubai, is pretty safe. Ski parks in the city are also regulated by the BSI Middle East and Africa and their local municipalities.
Individual safety, however, still starts with wearing the proper equipment, such as helmet, goggles, and wrist guards, and following the ski trainer’s instructions. Injuries and accidents seldom occur when skiers are responsible.
COVID-19 Considerations
All amusement parks in Dubai follow special health and safety measures to combat COVID-19. Ski parks in Dubai are required by the World Health Organization (WHO) and local authorities to ensure social distancing among visitors, regularly sanitize equipment and activity areas, conduct temperature checks for staff and guests, and promote contactless payments.
Guests, too, are required to follow individual safety protocols. Guests should wear face masks during the activity, avoid physical contact among staff and other visitors, and submit basic personal information for contact tracing purposes. Individuals above the age of 60 and children below the age of 2 are not allowed to enter ski parks at the moment.
When Is the Best Time to Go Skiing in Dubai?
Travelers can visit Dubai skiing resorts all year round as it is an indoor activity with controlled weather conditions. Most ski resorts are also open seven days a week. If you want to avoid crowds, however, it’s best to skip weekends and holidays.
The average working hours of these resorts are between 9:00 AM to 10:30 PM. Last tickets for skiing are usually sold at around 10:30 PM, but other snow attractions and activities will still be open until closing.
How Long Does a Skiing Adventure Take?
The duration of the activity will depend on the ticket you purchased and your stamina. Standard and premium ski tickets in Dubai offer 40 minutes to unlimited skiing. The average skiing session considered as an exercise activity takes 2.5 hours a day.
What Are the Best Skiing Locations in Dubai?
The best skiing locations based on area size and weather conditions are already chosen for you by the recreation companies that built Dubai’s top ski resorts. All you have to do is book a ticket to one of the best ski resorts in the city.
Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai, the biggest and leading indoor ski resort in the city, is located at Sheikh Zayed Rd – Al Barsha 1, Al Barsha—inside the Mall of the Emirates. Ski Dubai offers 22,500 square meters of indoor ski area and maintains a temperature of -1 degree to 2 degrees °C all year round.
Majid Al Futtaim Group, the group handling the Mall of the Emirates, also manages the resort. Due to Ski Dubai’s impressive attractions and regulated activities, it won the Thea Outstanding Achievement Award by the Themed Entertainment Association in 2007.
Infinite Ski Dubai
Infinite Ski developed the first-ever Maxxtracks indoor ski slope in the Middle East. It also created a new indoor skiing concept done on an endless slope and without snow, so visitors are not required to bring winter clothes. Infinite Ski is located at 123 – 26th Street, Al Quoz, Ind 4.
Preparation Tips And Booking Procedures
Now that you know everything there is to know about skiing, ski resorts, and their commercial market in Dubai, let’s head to the actual preparations and procedures involved in booking the activity.
How to Get to the Best Ski Resorts in Dubai
You can easily find the two best ski parks in Dubai through private or public transportations. The locations are near the city center. Here’s a complete guide on how to get there.
How to Get to Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai’s location is very convenient for travelers. The ski resort is located inside the Mall of the Emirates, a multi-level shopping mall in Dubai that earned the World’s Leading New Shopping Mall at the World Travel Awards in 2005.
Ski Dubai is accessible through Dubai’s primary mode of transportation. Visitors with private or rented vehicles can go to the Mall of the Emirates from Burj Khalifa or the city center via Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11. Travel time takes approximately 20 minutes. Visitors using public transportation can take the F30 bus or the Red Line running from Rashidiya Station to UAE exchange station.
How to Get to Infinite Ski Dubai
Infinite Ski Dubai is also located in the heart of the city and is reachable through Dubai’s primary mode of transportation. Visitors with private or rented vehicles can go to Infinite Ski Dubai from Burj Khalifa or the city center via Al Khail Rd/E44 or Sheikh Zayed Rd/E11. Travel time takes approximately 20 minutes. Visitors using public transportation can take the 15, 96, or 98E buses or the Metro 1, Red Line to the Noor Bank Metro Station.
What Are the Things Skiers Need to Prepare?
Ski parks are upgraded amusement parks with controlled temperatures, so you need to be prepared before entering the ski area. Here are the things you should and shouldn’t bring in a ski park:
Clothing and Equipment
The ski resort will provide most of your equipment and clothing, including but not limited to goggles, helmets, ski boards, ski poles, suits, boots, and socks. You can bring your own gear and equipment or add a pair of gloves to your outfit—whatever makes you comfortable.
Food and Drinks
Unless you’re a long-term or professional skier, there’s no need to follow a strict diet before you go skiing. Just don’t go skiing on a full stomach to avoid vomiting or tummy aches.
Ski parks like Ski Dubai and Infinite Ski Dubai allow outside food. You can bring snacks to the park or buy something at the cafes, restaurants, and other dining options inside the venue. Sky Dubai, for one, houses the Avalanche Café and North 28 restaurant.
Do Travelers Need to Book Beforehand?
You can buy tickets at the site or pre-book online. Big groups should pre-book online to avoid delays. Some ski parks also allow pre-booking of ski outfits and equipment to save time. They have a dedicated online counter that processes pre-bookings on site.
Where to Buy Skiing Tickets in Dubai
You can get the best indoor skiing adventures in Dubai at two of the biggest and most reputable ski sites in the city—Ski Dubai and Infinite Ski. Take a look at the prices and inclusions they offer before you book a ticket.
Ski Dubai Prices and Activities
All activities in Ski Dubai, including skiing, are included in the daily and unlimited passes. Refer to the list below to see all the Sky Dubai prices, inclusions, and exclusions for each pass.
Snow Park Pass (150 AED / 40.85 USD) – one-time access to the park with unlimited snow park rides, zorb ball entrance, and equipment or outfit rental.
Snow Daycation Pass (250 AED / 68 USD) – one-day access to the park with limited access to snow park rides and chair lift, unlimited access to zorb ball and mountain thriller, one-time access to major activities (e.g., snow bullet, penguin encounter, ski sessions), free locker, and equipment or outfit rental (fleece gloves included).
Snow Premium Pass (490 AED / 51.75 USD) – unlimited access to the park with unlimited rides and activities, 40-minute penguin encounter, one ski and snowboard lesson or slope session, free locker, complimentary food and drinks, and equipment or outfit rental (waterproof gloves included).
You can buy tickets at the Ski Dubai website or the physical site. Alternatively, you can look for third-party companies connected to Ski Dubai if you want to take advantage of their promotions and discounts. Here are some travel, tour, and tourism companies with legit Ski Dubai offers:
Infinite Ski offers skiing activities for individuals and big groups. The prices depend on the number of skiing sessions, instructors, and related activities. Unlike regular ski parks that are all fun and games, Infinite Ski tickets include actual learning sessions for children and adults. Refer to the list below to see the inclusions and exclusions for each pass.
Single Session (110 AED/ 29.96 USD to 500 AED / 136 USD) – trial, open, private, or exclusive session with equipment and instructor. The total length of each session is 60 minutes.
Multi Sessions (495 AED / 135 USD to 1750 AED / 475 USD) – five to 20 open sessions with equipment and instructor. The total length of each session is 60 minutes.
You can buy tickets at Infinite Ski’s website or the physical site. For big groups celebrating birthdays, family reunions, and corporate events, you can inquire about the price via phone call, email, or ticketing system.
Final Skiing Tips for First-Timers
Indoor skiing in Dubai is a safe and enjoyable activity suitable for children, adults, and any type of traveler. But if you think that all you need to do is buy some tickets and enter the ski park, you’re wrong. This guide can help you plan the best hassle-free skiing experience in Dubai. So, for our final tip, do extensive research before you buy tickets, keep our reminders in mind, and enjoy the best snow adventures in Dubai.
What to Do After Skiing in Dubai?
Skiing in Dubai is just one of the many adventure sports you can do in the city. If you want to try more indoor adventures, book tickets to indoor water parks and skydiving facilities in the heart of Dubai. If you want to try some extreme adventures, go parasailing, take a tour on a jet ski, or book a 2-way zipline ticket. There’s no shortage of casual and extreme activities that can extend your stay in the city, so carefully plan your itinerary and have fun!
