Ski Dubai with Kids

What is Ski Dubai?

As one of the UAE’s top visitor destinations, Ski Dubai is heralded as one of the region’s best family-friendly attractions. Ski Dubai was named the world’s best indoor ski resort for 2016 and 2017. It is located in the Mall of Emirates, which we found easily accessible by Metro.

At Ski Dubai’s 4,5000 square metre Snow Park you can sledge to your hearts content, build snowmen or attempt the climbing wall. Or if you’re a skier you can go to the slopes!

Why go to Ski Dubai with kids?

I did a lot of research before our trip to Dubai and had a look at all the options for good activities that the girls would enjoy. The main options seemed to be theme parks or Ski Dubai. We frequently visit theme parks at home in the UK, and whilst that looked like a great option, Ski Dubai was more unique and a bit different to the normal activities so we went for it!

Everything in Dubai is quite expensive, so Ski Dubai felt like the best option for our one ‘big’ activity, especially for the girls.

What tickets to get for Ski Dubai with Kids?

For us, the best tickets were the Snow Park tickets. Our youngest has just turned two (which is the minimum age), and as I’m the only skier in the family (and I’m definitely rusty!) we thought the Snow Park sounded like the best and most fun for the girls.

It included:

• One-time access to the Snow Park 
• Unlimited access to rides; Bobsled, Tubing Run, Snow Bumpers, Climbing Wall, Snow Plough Playground and Ice cave.
•  One Zorb Ball (Giant Ball) Ride.

Included in the tickets is outfit rental – jackets, trousers and snow boots for the adults and a snowsuit, helmet and snow boots for the girls. We had to provide our own hats, gloves and socks. I had packed winter clothes to wear underneath.

The rental process was a breeze and really well organised. I had measured up and pre ordered us everything in advance and on arrival they had everything ready for us in named little bundles. Thumbs up Ski Dubai!

How much did the tickets cost?

The tickets cost 190 AED each (including our youngest) which is about £40.

What did we do?

Before we went into Ski Dubai, for lunch we headed to the Mall of Emirates and went to TGI Fridays (which overlooks Ski Dubai). Our aim was to minimise requests for snacks whilst inside Ski Dubai – it worked!

After lunch we headed into Ski Dubai and collected our rental outfits, then got changed. We then popped our things in a locker (which was an additional £7) and entered Ski Dubai. You arrive into the Ice Cave and it’s quite the (chilly) entrance!

The first thing the girls wanted to do (obviously) was play in the Snow play park which had a slide and climbing frame which they enjoyed.

The girls then had a little go on the sledges which are dotted around. There are an ideal way of getting kids quickly through the snow!

After that we slowly worked our way around all the other activities, including the bumper cars and bobsleds.

All the while, we kept having to remind ourselves that we were actually in Dubai and not a ski resort in the Alps. It was a really surreal experience!

The temperature was super cold, about -4c, so we stopped for a hot chocolate to warm ourselves up.

At various intervals throughout the day they do a March of the Penguins show where there is a talk about the Penguins and you get to see them up close. It was really lovely and very informative. The girls were transfixed!

Any extras that are worthwhile?

Our eldest, who’s 5, was really keen to go on the chairlift which takes you up to the top of the slopes and back down again (you can get off half way). This wasn’t part of our ticket but for £30 we could all have a ride on it and get to see Ski Dubai from above.

It was a lot of money just to ride a chairlift but we all really enjoyed it. An added bonus was the heated cafe half way up where we stopped for a chocolate muffin and drink. And it was definitely the best way to see the real scale of Ski Dubai. I’m very pleased we added that on.

Summery of Ski Dubai with kids

I’m really pleased we opted to do this whilst in Dubai. It was completely unique and an experience we’ll remember for a long time. I felt that the addition of the Chair lift was worth it.

To see more of our trip to Ski Dubai, check out our YouTube video here!