Dubai was mainly desert and humble dwellings just 50 years ago; hard to believe as you’re rolling down a ski slope in a giant inflatable ball. No, there wasn’t a freak climate change, nor was it the aftermath of frozen air conditioning overload; we were enjoying an afternoon at Ski Dubai. Holding 22,500 square metres of artificial snow, it’s impressive, fearless and extreme, a bit like everything in Dubai.
Kitted out in company gloves, ski suit and ski boots, we plunged ourselves into every activity without a second thought. It’s my turn on the Sledge Ride and I’m flat on my back, suddenly asking a lot of questions. Side by side, our sledges are pushed down a winding, slippery slope, and I’m screaming like a school kid on snow day, but it’s faster.
[metaslider id=5433]Ready for our next thrill, we climbed into holes of huge, inflatable balls like adrenaline-junkie hamsters. One by one, we rolled down the largest slope yet, providing the view for the restaurant facing Ski Dubai. All of a sudden, dining at a restaurant looked desperately boring.
To catch a breathtaking view, and well, a breath, we jumped on the chairlift and utilised the phones-allowed policy, selfie-ing all the way up. This dropped us at the cosy ‘Avalanche Cafe’, situated at the top of the slopes, serving hot drinks and snacks. 45 degrees outside and I’m burying my face in a cup of hot cocoa. Skiers soared from top to bottom, some brushing themselves off and trying again. It was time to go and meet some snow penguins.
