Aside from driving around in an air conditioned car and spending time in a cool shopping mall, you could also try… skiing.
The entrance to Ski Dubai at the Mall of the Emirates. (© MRandin)
In 2005, Dubai pulled another rabbit out of its hat with the creation of Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. It seems the locals grew tired of sandboarding (or sandskiing) down Dubai’s sand dunes.
I’m not sure what’s more amazing: the fact that the ‘resort’ exists in a desert country where the temperature rarely goes below 10 degrees Celsius or that it’s found in a shopping mall (called the Mall of the Emirates).
Nevertheless, this enormous ice box is quite an impressive feat, though I don’t know too many environmentalists who will argue in its favour.
(© MRandin)
Ski Dubai is not cheap.
(©MRandin)
And I’ve been told that it’s child’s play for experienced skiers, though it’s worth giving it a try if only for its novelty value.
The shops around the entrance sell top of line winter clothing and every effort has been made to provide skiers with an ‘authentic’ experience.
If you’re from the canton of Valais in Switzerland you will feel quite at home in Ski Dubai.
A little bit of Valais at the St. Moritz Cafe. (©MRandin)
Though, brace yourselves – I’m told the fondue is done with parmesan cheese. Quelle horreur!
