Abu Dhabi has emerged in recent years as a popular tourist destination. With its lavish hotels, luxury shopping, and cultural attractions, Abu Dhabi offers visitors a modern Afabian experience. However, the city is in the middle of the desert and enjoys a hot, arid climate for most of the year. That’s why the opening of Snow Abu Dhabi in 2016 generated so much excitement.
For the first time, residents and visitors could enjoy real snow and winter activities like skiing and snowboarding without leaving the UAE. The indoor snow park provides a cool oasis from the desert heat and a novel way to have fun in the sun.
What is Snow Abu Dhabi?
Snow Abu Dhabi is an exciting new indoor snow park in the city’s heart at Reem Mall on Al Reem Island. Spanning an area of over 10,000 square feet allows visitors to enjoy real snow and winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and more in a controlled environment set at a frosty temperature of -2°C.
The snow itself is artificially made using snow cannons that blast out ice crystals mixed with water and air to mimic the texture and consistency of natural snow. State-of-the-art snow groomers continuously distribute the snow evenly across slopes and maintain quality.
Attractions and Activities
Snow Abu Dhabi offers something for visitors of all ages and skill levels regarding snow sports. For beginners, there is a dedicated learning area with magic carpets and shallow slopes to practice skiing or snowboarding. More advanced skiers can try the longer, steeper runs and snow tubes. Other attractions include:
- Enchanted Tree: A unique treehouse-style play structure for kids
- Ice Cave: An interactive walkthrough exhibit carved out of ice
- Snow Bumper Cars: Drive around and bump into others on the snowy track
- Zorb Balls: Get inside a giant inflatable ball and roll down the slopes
When taking a break from the snow activities, visitors can stop by the onsite restaurant or cafe for a hot drink and meal. There are also shops selling winter gear and souvenirs.
Unique Desert Snow Experience
What makes Snow Abu Dhabi truly special is the novel experience of enjoying winter sports in the middle of the desert. The contrast between the icy cold interior and the hot, arid climate outside adds an extra element of magic and wonder. It’s a perfect family-friendly activity for both tourists and UAE residents.
Why Visit Snow Abu Dhabi?
The opportunity to enjoy winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, and sledding in the middle of the desert is a truly unique experience. Where else can you throw snowballs and glide down snow slopes with dunes in the background? The contrast between the hot desert climate outside and the cold snow park inside makes for an unforgettable adventure.
A unique experience of enjoying winter activities
Snow Abu Dhabi allows visitors to participate in frosty fun, usually found in Alpine regions but in an entirely unexpected setting. The sensory impact of leaving the hot, arid desert and entering a fully air-conditioned winter wonderland is thrilling and memorable.
Benefits of indoor snow parks
As an indoor venue, Snow Abu Dhabi provides ideal conditions for winter sports, free from the elements. Guests can enjoy predictable snow conditions at a comfortable temperature without worrying about blazing heat, sandstorms, or sudden changes in weather disrupting the fun.
Family-friendly nature of Snow Abu Dhabi
With beginner-friendly runs and plenty of non-skiing activities like sledding and snowman building, Snow Abu Dhabi caters to guests of all ages and abilities. Families appreciate the convenience of winter entertainment for kids and adults in one exciting destination.
Attractions at Snow Abu Dhabi
Snow Abu Dhabi offers a wide variety of winter-themed rides, activities, and attractions for visitors of all ages. This indoor snow park has something for everyone, from exhilarating snow slides to beginner ski slopes.
Thrilling Rides and Slides
Adrenaline junkies will love the collection of snow slides at Snow Abu Dhabi. Riders zoom down high-speed slides on inflatable rings, racing their friends and family. Some of the most popular options include:
- Avalanche: A fast-paced slide with high embankments and sharp drops.
- Yeti: A winding, enclosed tube slide with special effects like light and sound.
- Everest: The tallest and steepest slide, reaching speeds up to 40 mph.
Skiing and Snowboarding
Visitors can strap on skis or a snowboard and test their skills on Snow Abu Dhabi’s groomed slopes. The beginner area features gentle runs for new skiers to practice. Meanwhile, more advanced skiers can challenge themselves on steeper hills and terrain features like rails, boxes, and small kickers.
Interactive Attractions
In addition to snow sports, the indoor park offers engaging activities like:
- Arctic igloos to explore
- A snowball shooting gallery
- Life-sized snow globe photo opportunities
- A snow-tubing carousel
Dining and Shopping
After working up an appetite, visitors can recharge at one of Snow Abu Dhabi’s onsite cafes and restaurants. Grab a hot chocolate or coffee at the Enchanted Cafe, or enjoy a full meal at The Lodge restaurant. The snow park also features themed shops selling winter gear and souvenirs.
With its winter activities and family-friendly attractions, Snow Abu Dhabi offers a unique, indoor cold-weather experience for visitors of all ages.
Tips for Visiting Snow Abu Dhabi
Visiting an indoor snow park in a desert city like Abu Dhabi can be a novel and exciting experience. Here are some handy tips to help you make the most of your visit to Snow Abu Dhabi:
Book Tickets in Advance
Snow Abu Dhabi can get busy, especially on weekends and holidays. Booking your tickets online in advance allows you to secure your preferred date and time slot.
Dress Appropriately
The temperature inside Snow Abu Dhabi is maintained at a frigid -2°C. Be sure to dress warmly with multiple layers, including thermals, fleeces, jackets, snow pants, gloves, scarves, and woolen socks. Waterproof shoes with good grip are also recommended.
Arrive Early
Reach Snow Abu Dhabi at least 30 minutes before your scheduled time slot. This gives you time to collect your tickets, put on the provided thermal jackets and boots, and enter the snow park.
Pace Yourself
It’s easy to overexert yourself in the cold. Take regular breaks, stay hydrated, and listen to your body. Avoid getting too wet or exhausted since the extreme cold can quickly lead to cramps or hypothermia.
Supervise Children
Keep a close eye on kids at all times. Before entering, a designated adult should be present for each child. Proper clothing and footwear should be worn to prevent slips and falls. For safety, young children should be accompanied on rides.
Follow the Rules
Pay attention to all signage and instructions from staff. Respect ride age/height restrictions and entry/exit protocols. Refrain from throwing snowballs or running on slippery surfaces. This ensures everyone has an enjoyable and accident-free experience.
With these handy pointers, you can safely enjoy the magical winter wonderland inside Snow Abu Dhabi.
Conclusion
After exploring the many rides, attractions, and amenities at Snow Abu Dhabi, it’s clear this unique indoor snow park offers a one-of-a-kind winter experience in the desert. From sledding down snowy slopes to sipping hot chocolate in an Alpine village, there’s something for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
As a one-of-a-kind attraction in Abu Dhabi, Snow Abu Dhabi offers visitors a taste of winter in the middle of a desert. The contrast between the hot climate outside and the cold snow inside makes for an unforgettable experience you can only find in this part of the world.
If you’re looking for a fun family outing or a truly unique activity in Abu Dhabi, be sure to plan a visit to Snow Abu Dhabi. Grab some winter gear, book your tickets online, and get ready to slide, ski, and play in the snow dunes! This thrilling snow park is the perfect way to beat the heat.
