UAE/Dubai: Skiing at SkiDubai
I always thought it was a bit insane that you could actually ski in Dubai while the weather outside is over 100F/40C, but never actually got to try it. Well, this item finally came off the bucket list – two hours of downhill in freezing temperatures on the artificial slopes at the Mall of the Emirates. From the pure “I can’t believe I am skiing in the Arabian desert” aspect of it – it’s pretty cool. The indoor complex is humongous and equivalent to a 25-story building. From the point of skiing – it’s below mediocre – a meager 85m/279ft of vertical over a couple of runs, one of which is actually rated as a black diamond! There is artificial snow, fake fur trees, and Bangladeshi lift attendants that probably have never seen real snow. Many people just come to take a ride in a lift chair to experience cold and snow, and it is quite refreshing to wander here after the scorching sun outside. Oh, and the full uniform comes with ski rental – and you look like a prison convict in it!
