 Poster: A snowHead
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The opening of Ski Dubai, the hugely ambitious and expensive mid-desert snowdome, appears to be on indefinite hold. The indoor snow palace, second only in cost to the now-demolished Tokyo Ski Dome, had a very firm launch date of September 2005.
The snowdome is the showpiece of The Mall of the Emirates, second biggest shopping mall in the World, which opened on 27 September ... without its snowdome.
Media mystery now surrounds Ski Dubai's snow content. An Irish website, Unison.ie, declared on 5 October that the pistes had "opened last week". Local media is more accurate, if non-specific. The website of AME Info in Dubai reported yesterday that the dome "will be open within a month". Ski Dubai's own website sets no official date.
Snowmaking was scheduled to have commenced last July, and there's no reason to suppose that it didn't, though no photographic evidence exists. Snowdomes require weeks, or even months, of snowmaking to build a reliable and secure base before skiing can commence.
This gallery of construction photos - showing the unusual design of the building on piers - includes the most recent interior shot of the dome, snowless in July:
http://www.skidxb.com/gallery1_eng.htm?mid=1&sid=4
When I have a mo I'll see if I can put in a couple of calls to find out what's snowing on.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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David Goldsmith, it's Ramadan, so things may well be on hold for a few more weeks.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Quote: |
| When I have a mo I'll see if I can put in a couple of calls to find out what's snowing on. |
you might not get an answer - they were recruiting for telephone ops not so long ago. And in fact for all the staff required to run the place. I couldn't see exactly when the recruitment process started but I think we can take it they have not had many staff twiddling thumbs and sunbathing while waiting for snow on the upper slopes.
| Quote: |
| Snowmaking was scheduled to have commenced last July, and there's no reason to suppose that it didn't....... |
There was a report about delays in obtaining special glass. If the intended snowy area wasn't even airtight then no way could the snow making commence.
It will happen - but I agree it's looking very iffy datewise. Major 3 day Islamic Holiday coming up at the end of Ramadan - approx 1st Nov subject to the moon sighting committees. Ski Dubai will miss a good opportunity if they miss that. Dubai will be heaving with locals, Arabs and expats all looking for fun and refreshment after the Holy Month.
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the artists impressions lok a lot better than the builders...... why doesnt that suprise me ? 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Check out the last photo in the gallery (just before the artists' impressions) Dated July and no snowmaking in progress. But look at the little worker in the middle left or other tiny bodies in the distance on the right - gives some idea of scale. That slope is HUGE - worth waiting for.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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how do these prices compare with uk ?
2005 Price List (DHS)
Ski Slope (2 hours)
Adult (13+)
130 115
Child (up to 12) 110 100
Extension (per hour)
Adult 30 30
Child 20 20
Ski Slope Day Pass
Adult 220 205
Child 170 160
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kuwait_ian, doeas look very large its 85m x 80 m wide.... wish we had one here pal.
looks like they are still fabricating the slope so no wonder its behind.
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Royal, DHS = UAE Dirhams. Divide by 7 approximately to get pounds sterling. So on an off peak (no pun intended) day you can ski all day for about £30. That I think is pretty good pricing and includes gear hire. A day is either 10 hours or 12 - not sure which but I bet you'd be knackered long before then.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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thats a great price, nearly worth spending 500 quid on getting there from the uk !
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OT another massive snowdome in delay http://www.snoasis.co.uk/
Suffolk's very own scheme which seems to be still waiting for planning approval expected last April. Again no real info on the web site about what is happening. Similar idea of an elevated slope section in the artist's impression of this one.
More on Ski Dubai here
Last edited by Ski the Net with snowHeads  on Mon 10-10-05 11:48; edited 1 time in total
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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great...... not !
its in the wrong PLACE !!!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Royal, loads of flights on decent airlines for under £300 return. Hotel for a few days might be thrown in. Food and Bev are not cheap in the Middle East unless you're into Muckey Dees sort of stuff and fizzy softies. Go at end Nov. (IF it's open ..... ) and take in the Rugby Sevens (first of the international series) which is a great event and very cheap, apart from the beer 
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kuwait_ian, I never come cheap! 
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You know it makes sense.
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| bev bish wrote: |
| kuwait_ian, I never come cheap! |
if at all !
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Gotta love the blurb:
"...the longest run being 400 meters with a fall of over 60 meters. Test your skills on the world’s first indoor black run..."
If only I'd insisted on flying via Dubai this xmas.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Inv Tan (60/400) = 8.5 degrees, doesn't sound much like a black run to me...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Jonpim, That link ain't working for me!
EDIT: It is now!
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Mon 10-10-05 18:31; edited 1 time in total
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Plake, isn't it an inverse Cosine you should do?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Wear The Fox Hat, inverse Sine would be most appropriate, but inverse Tangent isn't too far out here.
Inverse Cosine is definitely wrong. Hoist with own petard, methinks, "your excellency" (in many things maybe, but clearly not geometry).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I think Ive walked into another dimension again.... that one where everyone speaks in tongues 
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Ian Hopkinson, yes.... making me feel fick !
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Royal, 'tis tres simple.
Some People Have
Curly Brown Hair
Till Practically Bald
learned that from maths teacher at 13, never forgotten
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Another week down the line and still no word from Dubai as to when the snow palace will open. The Ski Dubai website - http://www.skidxb.com - continues to carry the 'Opening Soon' slogan, with no updates to the interior shot of the piste of July 2005 showing no snow.
While we're awaiting news of the big day, here's an article from Megan K Stack of the Los Angeles Times on the extraordinary mid-desert boom city that is Dubai.
In the meantime, keep sand-skiing folks.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I was in Dubai last week and was informed that it will be open next month. Although not able to get inside, its nonetheless breath taking in its scale. Similar to the rest of the immeadiate area which is awesome, although some architects should have a long hard look at themselves judging by some of the monstrocities.
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