Editor’s note: I originally wrote this article after visiting Ski Dubai in 2010. I’ve updated it in October 2026 with current ticket prices, attractions and practical information. The video below is from my original visit.
I’ve been fortunate to travel all over the world and experience some pretty incredible things, but one of the most surreal was skiing in the middle of the desert. Yes, you read that correctly. I went skiing in Dubai, where summer temperatures can easily top 100°F.
When I visited in 2010, I remember walking into the Mall of the Emirates wearing shorts and a T-shirt and suddenly seeing a winter wonderland through enormous glass windows. It felt like I was looking into a gigantic snow globe. On one side of the glass, people were shopping in summer clothes. On the other, skiers and snowboarders were bundled up in winter gear, riding a chairlift and carving turns down a snow-covered mountain.
It was an experience that makes you appreciate just how ambitious Dubai can be.
The attraction is called Ski Dubai, and it opened in 2005 as the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. More than two decades later, it’s still one of the city’s most unusual attractions and a fun way to escape the desert heat.
Watch my video of skiing in Dubai
I filmed the video below during my original visit in 2010. It’s pretty amazing to see what skiing inside a shopping mall looks like, especially when you remember that just outside the building is the Arabian Desert.
How Big Is Ski Dubai?
Ski Dubai is much bigger than you might expect from an attraction inside a shopping mall. The indoor ski facility covers approximately 22,500 square meters (242,200 square feet), or about 5.5 acres of snow-covered terrain.
The building rises approximately 85 meters (279 feet), and the longest ski run stretches 400 meters (437 yards). That’s not going to impress someone accustomed to skiing in Colorado, Utah or the Alps, but considering you’re inside a building in the desert, it’s pretty remarkable.
There are five ski runs of varying difficulty, along with a chairlift and other lifts to transport skiers and snowboarders uphill.
The temperature is maintained at approximately -2°C (28°F), so it genuinely feels like winter inside.
When I visited, I counted maybe 30 people on the slopes and another 100 or so enjoying the children’s snow activities. I practically had the ski runs to myself, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
What It’s Like to Ski in Dubai
One of the things I remember most clearly was riding the chairlift. It was a real chairlift, just like you’d find at a mountain resort, except instead of looking out over snow-covered trees and distant mountain peaks, you’re surrounded by walls and a ceiling.
The chairlift had two unloading points. The first was near the beginner slope and Avalanche Café, where you could stop for something warm to drink. The lift then made a turn and continued toward the top.
Even the ticketing system impressed me. My lift pass was tucked into a pocket on the sleeve of my rental jacket and automatically scanned when I entered the lift line.
Once I started skiing, I almost forgot I was indoors. The cold air and real snow helped create the feeling of being at a mountain resort. Of course, the artificial trees, walls and music playing in the background quickly reminded me that this was all make-believe.
The advanced run wasn’t particularly challenging for an experienced skier, but for someone like me who hadn’t skied in years, it was perfect.
I only had about an hour to spend there, but I managed to make five runs without rushing.
The funny thing is that I enjoyed it so much that it actually inspired me to want to hit the real slopes again.
What’s Changed at Ski Dubai Since My Visit?
Quite a bit has changed since I visited in 2010. Ski Dubai has expanded its offerings beyond skiing and snowboarding, making it more of a full-fledged winter attraction for families and visitors who have never put on a pair of skis.
Today, visitors can enjoy the Snow Park, which features tubing, tobogganing, bumper cars, climbing activities and the Zorb Ball. The latter is essentially a giant inflatable ball that you climb inside before rolling down a snowy slope.
There’s also the Snow Bullet, a zipline that lets visitors soar above the indoor slopes. Another attraction, the Mountain Thriller, sends riders down a snowy track at speeds of up to 40 kilometers per hour (about 25 mph).
Perhaps the biggest addition since my visit is the opportunity to see penguins. Ski Dubai now has King and Gentoo penguins, and visitors can purchase special experiences that include educational sessions and encounters with these fascinating animals.
There are also ski and snowboard lessons for beginners, so you don’t need to know how to ski to enjoy the facility.
One important distinction: The regular ski slopes are reserved for guests who already know how to ski or snowboard. Beginners should book a lesson rather than purchase a standard slope ticket.
How Much Does Ski Dubai Cost in 2026?
Prices have increased since my visit, which probably won’t surprise anyone.
Back in 2010, I reported that a two-hour adult slope pass cost 180 AED (approximately $49), while a child’s ticket was 150 AED (approximately $41).
According to Ski Dubai’s current website, a two-hour slope pass now costs 240 AED (approximately $65) per person. A full-day slope pass costs 340 AED (approximately $93).
Both passes include access to the chairlifts and draglifts, clothing and equipment rental and a locker.
If you’re traveling with children or don’t ski, there are separate Snow Park tickets and combination packages that include different activities.
Ski Dubai also offers family packages, special events and premium experiences that combine skiing, snow activities and penguin encounters.
My advice is to check the official Ski Dubai website before visiting because prices, packages and promotions can change.
What Should You Wear to Ski Dubai?
One of the best things about Ski Dubai is that you don’t need to pack a suitcase full of winter clothing just to go skiing.
When I visited, the admission price included a rental jacket, ski pants, ski boots, disposable socks, skis and poles. I remember being particularly impressed by how easy they made everything for travelers.
That’s still one of the biggest selling points today.
Ski Dubai provides rental jackets, trousers, boots and disposable socks. Ski and snowboard packages also include the necessary equipment, including helmets.
Gloves are included with certain packages, although I’d still recommend bringing your own warm gloves if you have them. I would also bring a hat and wear an extra layer underneath the rental jacket if you tend to get cold.
The facility is kept below freezing, so even though you’re in Dubai, you’ll want to dress as if you’re heading to the mountains.
Another nice change since my visit is that lockers are now included with standard slope passes. Back in 2010, I had to pay a refundable 20 AED deposit for a locker key card.
Is Ski Dubai Good for Kids?
Absolutely, and it’s probably even more appealing to families today than when I visited.
The Snow Park has plenty of activities for children who aren’t old enough or ready to ski, including tubing, sliding areas and other snow attractions.
Kids can also take ski lessons, although minimum age requirements and restrictions vary depending on the activity.
Children under 2 aren’t permitted inside Ski Dubai, and children ages 3 to 13 are required to wear helmets on the slopes.
If I were visiting Dubai with my kids today, I would definitely consider adding Ski Dubai to our itinerary. Even if we didn’t ski, I think they’d get a kick out of playing in real snow inside a shopping mall in the middle of the desert.
Family travel tip: Before purchasing tickets, compare the individual activity prices with Ski Dubai’s family packages. Depending on what everyone wants to do, a combination package could be a better deal.
Where Is Ski Dubai Located?
Ski Dubai is located inside the Mall of the Emirates, one of Dubai’s major shopping malls.
That makes it relatively easy to combine a visit with shopping, dining or simply exploring the mall.
The facility is open year-round, which means you can go skiing even during Dubai’s hottest summer months.
According to the official website, current operating hours are generally 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and 9 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday.
Hours can change during holidays and special events, so check before going.
Is Ski Dubai Worth Visiting?
I certainly thought so.
If you’re an expert skier looking for challenging terrain, you’re probably going to be disappointed. The runs are short compared to those at traditional mountain resorts, and you’re obviously not going to experience the same scenery or variety.
But that’s not really the point.
Ski Dubai is about the novelty of doing something completely unexpected. Where else can you walk into a shopping mall wearing shorts and a T-shirt, change into winter gear and be skiing on real snow minutes later?
For travelers visiting Dubai for the first time, especially families with children, it’s a pretty unique experience.
I visited in 2010, and all these years later, I still remember it vividly. In fact, looking back at my old video makes me want to return and see how much has changed.
And who knows? Maybe next time I’ll bring my kids along so they can experience the same surreal feeling I had when I first stepped inside that enormous snow globe.
For current prices, tickets and attraction information, visit the official Ski Dubai website.
