Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Desert sands and snowy parks fit for ice skating within minutes from each other – that’s the allure of UAE. And with the mild winter tourism season buzzing, there could be no better time to visit these snow parks in the country.
As part of the vision to cement the UAE’s standing as a global tourist destination that caters to all interests, the country has established several ice-skating spaces to enable snow sports enthusiasts, skaters, visitors, and residents to feel the cold all year long.
These destinations have been highlighted in line with the 4th season of the ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ campaign, which was launched earlier in January to promote domestic tourism and shed light on the UAE’s hidden gems.
Snow Abu Dhabi
The UAE capital hosts ‘Snow Abu Dhabi’, one of the world’s largest indoor snow parks with 20 rides and attractions.
Spanning 9,732 square metres on the second level of Reem Mall, the snow park takes visitors on a journey through an enchanted forest with exhilarating rides including Polar Express Train, Crystal Carousel, Flight of the Snowy Owl, Snow Hare’s Bunny Hill, Ice and Floe’s Bumper Tubes, and Drift’s Downhill Run.
Al Ain Ice Rink in Hili Fun City is also among the favorites for visitors and skaters.
Ski Dubai
Located inside Mall of the Emirates, ‘Ski Dubai’ is a globally popular indoor ski resort. In 2022, it retained the prestigious title of the ‘World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort’ for the 7th consecutive year.
The 35,000-square-foot facility houses a family-friendly Snow Park, which enables visitors to meet penguins, experience live snowfall, zip line, and take a chairlift ride in a -2°C environment.
Ski Dubai attracted more than 420,000 visitors in the first half of 2023.
The Snow Park hosts a line-up of year-long activities, such as snow yoga sessions, Snow Run, Ice Warrior Challenge, snowboarding and ski academy.
Dubai Ice Rink
The Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink located at Dubai Mall is one of the UAE’s key attractions.
The ice rink has grown to be a popular social hotspot, offering amateur and experienced ice skaters the opportunity to be active all year long and pick from a diverse selection of public skating and skating lessons.
Equipped with advanced multimedia system, including a giant 20-meter-wide and 10-meter-high LED screen, the Dubai Ice Rink provides a platform to organise parties, corporate events, teambuilding day, or regular hockey practices.
The rink’s special feature is the technology of the cooling installation, which makes ice three times thicker and its capacity to receive up to 2,000 guests.
Other skating venues
Kota Skate Park
The first professional skate park in Sharjah, ‘Kota Skate Park’ includes tracks for all levels of skaters and different roller sports such as skateboarding, roller skating, scootering, and bicycle motocross (BMX).
The skatepark also features a special pump track around the outside of the skatepark as a dedicated section for kids.
The attraction comes as part of a partnership between Shurooq and Dakota Schuetz, also known as ‘Kota’, 4-time world scooter rider champion.
An ice-skating rink in Sharjah Ladies Club, exclusive to women and children, offers multi-level solo and group ice skating classes, with a range of packages and annual ice-skating shows. It can accommodate 50 skaters.
Jebel Jais Skating Rink
Residents and tourists can ice skate while marveling at breathtaking views of the nearby Hajar mountain range and Arabian Gulf in Ras Al Khaimah’s Jebel Jais Skating Rink. Located 1,300 meters above sea level at Jebel Jais Viewing Deck Park, the rink gives visitors a true sense of the magic of winter, especially at this altitude, where temperatures are about 10°C cooler than at sea level.
