Dubai set to build world's largest indoor ski slope

Dubai is well known for its love of extravagant and lavish attractions designed to entice people from around the world to come and visit the emirate. And with its hosting of World Expo 2020 now just a few years away, the desire to create even more attractions is greater than ever.

It is this appetite that has seen officials in the emirate announce an ambitious new project, in which they are aiming to build the world's largest indoor ski resort, taking the title from itself. 

The emirate's current indoor ski resort, opened in 2005 in the Mall of the Emirates, is officially recognised as the longest in the world, measuring 400 metres. However, this slope would be dwarfed by the new installation, which is set to come in at a mammoth 1.2 kilometres. 

The advantages of this facility include the fact it allows people to experience something so far removed from Dubai's weather climate. It also operates all year round thanks to the careful temperature control inside the building. 

Officials said the new ski facility comes as a part of a scheme dubbed Meydan One, also to include the world’s tallest residential tower (standing at 711 metres), a shopping mall, restaurants and a dancing fountain that sweeps up to 420 metres. 

“In a city which never stops innovating, today’s announcement is significant for the future of Dubai and the UAE,” Meydan chairman Saeed al-Tayer said of the new project. 

Those behind the project said that the first phase, which would include the creation of the record-breaking ski slope, is earmarked for completion before the end of 2020, in time for the hosting of the World Expo.