Here I share some of my pictures and experiences about indoor snowboarding in this crazy city. See my other post (click here) about sandboarding on the dunes.
The resort "Ski Dubai" is connected to a very big shopping mall. You can leave your girl-friend (or you boy-friend) in the shops while you go snowboarding for two hours, hihihi
Picture taken from the Web site www.skidubai.com
Air temperature: -1° to -2°C.
Features of the slopes: 85m high, 80m wide, longest run of 400m, snow made at -8°C.
One quad chairlift and one tow lift. Note that there is a big right turn: the slopes are not simply straight.
Let's see now the pictures I have taken:
"Ski Dubai" seen from the highway and by night. Outside temperature was 36°C during that day.
Well, the clothes are not very fashion...
They are the same for everyone (except if you bring yours).Ski pass rates: about 30 Euros for 2h, and 50 Euros for full day (2h is enough, because one full day spent on two easy slopes is boring).
The ski pass includes everything: clothes, soft boots and snowboard. However you have to bring your own gloves (or buy it there, but it's very cheap).
There are no alpine snowboards...
I haven't brought my Swoard (except some stickers, hihi) because it was not worth enough for a first experience of one half-day.
Entrance (right of the picture), bottom of the slopes and start of the chair-lift.
Notice the tow lift on the left. I was the only rider using it, though it was faster than the chairlift
Restaurant for the visitors, not accessible directly from the slopes.
Bottom of the two slopes and another restaurant on the left (not directly accessible).
At the top of the slopes. Notice the freestyle rail in the center and the quarterpipe (that was not practicable).
View from the top of the slopes. The right slope is the best.
I love this flag, hihi!
This part is steep enough to do some nice carved turns, but so short...
Artificial stones and trees. All is artificial in Dubai... Disneyland without Mickey, Las Vegas without casinos
Even the light is artificial. Thus it is not easy to take good pictures.
In conclusion it was a good and funny experience. The snow was better than I thought before: it was not pure ice like the artificial snow we have often in the mountains. I think that it's because fresh snow (about 30 tons!) is made daily to cover the base (cooled down to -15°C from below).
It was possible to make nice carved turns and I missed my Swoard
Linking 3-4 fully laid turns must be possible in the steepest part. Beware of the wall I hope that you have enjoyed the pictures...
Patrice Fivat
a real chairlift...yoh!