Dubai: Ski Dubai Indoor Snow Park & Penguin Encounter

Skiing in 40°C Heat: What Happens Inside the Mall of the Emirates

You spend your day on real snow indoors, choosing between skiing on five slopes, playing in the Snow Park with tobogganing and slides, or meeting penguins up close. Full winter gear is included, hot chocolate warms you between activities, and timed entry means you skip the queue. Pick your package based on what appeals (slopes, park access, or the premium penguin experience), and plan for 2 to 4 hours depending on what you select.

Step-by-step itinerary

Enjoy indoor snow activities at Ski Dubai

• Put on full winter gear
• Ski or snowboard on slopes
• Try tobogganing and snow slides
• Ride the Snow Bullet zipline
• Meet penguins in special encounter
• Warm up at Avalanche Café

The experience

You walk into the Mall of the Emirates on a scorching Dubai afternoon, and then the air changes. The temperature drops. Snow appears. Ski Dubai sits inside this mall like a secret: five slopes of real snow, chairlifts, and actual penguins, all while the desert heat sits outside the glass. It's the kind of thing that doesn't make sense until you're standing in it, and then it's all you want to do.

The day starts with winter gear: jacket, snow pants, gloves, boots. Everything fitted and ready. From there, it depends on what you book. If you go for the slope option, you get a 2-hour skiing or snowboarding session on runs of different difficulty, with instructors available if you've never done it before. If slopes aren't your thing, the Snow Park keeps you busy for hours: tobogganing, snow slides, the Snow Bullet zipline, chairlift rides, tube runs, and bumper cars in the snow. The Snow Plus package throws in unlimited chairlift rides and the Mountain Thriller, so you can keep going without counting sessions. Hot chocolate at the Avalanche Café comes with some packages, and the views of the snowy landscape from there are strange and good.

The penguin encounter (if you pick the Snow Premium option) lasts 40 minutes and feels like the thing people remember most. You're close to them, not behind glass, and it's oddly quiet in that moment. After that, the photo book with one picture of your experience gets printed, and you've got something to prove you were actually there.

The whole thing runs on a timed-entry system, so you pick your hour instead of showing up and waiting. Lockers come with some packages, which matters if you're bringing a phone or a bag. Public transport gets you there, but the mall has its own parking if you're driving. Ski Dubai doesn't require you to be an expert skier or in peak fitness. It's built for families, first-timers, and people who just want to say they skied in Dubai. The only real limit is the slope option, which needs Level 2 skiing ability, so beginners stick to the park or take a lesson first.

What’s included

• Winter clothing (jacket, snow pants, gloves, boots).
• access to Snow Park with tobogganing, giant ball, bobsleigh, tube run, and bumper cars.
• chairlift rides.
• Snow Cavern access.
• timed entry to avoid queues. Depending on your package: 2-hour skiing or snowboarding session on slopes (if Level 2 or higher).
• two Snow Bullet zipline rides.
• unlimited Mountain Thriller rides.
• 40-minute Penguin-Friend Encounter.
• hot chocolate at the café.
• photo book with one picture from your visit.
• lockers for belongings.

Options for this experience

3 options

Option 1No fixed time

Option 2No fixed time

Option 3No fixed time

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 to 85 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by RUSH TOURISM

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to ski or play in snow without leaving the city, and you'd rather not spend time figuring out what to wear or how to get there. The gear is fitted and waiting, and timed entry means you arrive and start, not queue and wait.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5).

Can I ski at Ski Dubai if I've never skied before?

Yes. Instructors are available for all levels, and the Snow Park has activities like tobogganing and slides that don't require skiing skills. The slope option itself requires Level 2 ability, so beginners start in the park or take a lesson.

What's included in the ticket?

Winter gear (jacket, pants, gloves, boots), and access to activities depending on your package. Snow Park access, tobogganing, and chairlift rides are standard on most options. Slopes, penguin encounters, and hot chocolate depend on which package you choose.

How long does the penguin encounter last?

The Penguin-Friend Encounter runs for 40 minutes and is included in the Snow Premium package.

Do I need to book a specific time slot?

Yes, Ski Dubai uses timed entry, so you select your preferred hour when you book. This helps manage crowds and means you don't wait in line.

Is there parking at Ski Dubai?

Ski Dubai is inside the Mall of the Emirates, which has its own parking. Public transport options are also available nearby.

What's the difference between the Snow Plus and Snow Premium packages?

Snow Plus includes unlimited chairlift rides, the Mountain Thriller ride, and lockers. Snow Premium includes the penguin encounter, hot chocolate, and a photo book with one picture from your visit.

How many slopes does Ski Dubai have?

Five indoor slopes of varying difficulty, suitable for beginners through advanced skiers.