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Snow day guide

Ski Dubai or Snow Abu Dhabi: ski slope or snow park?

6 min read

Ski Dubai and Snow Abu Dhabi both put snow inside a mall, but they are different days out. Ski Dubai, in Mall of the Emirates, has a ski slope, a Snow Park and penguins; Snow Abu Dhabi, in Reem Mall, sells Snow Park passes for its rides and sledding hill. This guide compares their passes, prices and rules as their official site sets them out, with our prices beside them.

The quick pick

If youGo with
Want to ski or snowboardSki DubaiSnow Abu Dhabi sells Snow Park passes only. Ski Dubai's slope passes start at AED 240 for two hours, for experienced skiers, and beginners can book a 60-minute lesson.
Want to meet penguinsSki DubaiBoth Snow Base and its Snow Park Pass include the daily penguin march, and lunch or dinner with its gentoo and king penguins costs AED 349.
Want the lower priceSnow Abu DhabiIts official Snow Park Pass is AED 149. At Ski Dubai, Snow Base is from AED 190 and the Snow Park Pass AED 249.
Have young childrenEitherBoth admit children from age 2 with an adult, and Snow Abu Dhabi adds family rides such as the Polar Express train and the Crystal Carousel.
Are staying in Abu DhabiSnow Abu DhabiIt is in Reem Mall on Al Reem Island; Ski Dubai is in Mall of the Emirates, Dubai.
Want a late visitSki DubaiIt stays open until 23:00 from Monday to Thursday and until midnight from Friday to Sunday; Snow Abu Dhabi closes at 22:00 from Sunday to Thursday.

Ski Dubai and Snow Abu Dhabi side by side

Ski Dubai

Where
Ground floor of Mall of the Emirates, Dubai
Ski slope
Yes: two hours from AED 240 for experienced skiers, a full day AED 340, and lessons
Snow Base
From AED 190, tagged as special weekday pricing: rides, the penguin march, fleece gloves and clothing, but not the chairlift, Mountain Thriller, hot chocolate or locker
Snow Park Pass
AED 249: rides, one chairlift and Mountain Thriller ride, the penguin march, hot chocolate, fleece gloves, clothing and a locker
Penguins
Gentoo and king penguins; lunch or dinner with them from AED 349
Hours
Mon–Thu 10:00–23:00, Fri 10:00–00:00, Sat–Sun 09:00–00:00
Our ticket
Snow Park entry with a jacket and boots; gloves and warm socks are not included
Official Snow Park Pass
From AED 249
With Holidayys
From AED 333Free cancellation up to 1 day before

Snow Abu Dhabi

Where
Reem Mall, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi
Ski slope
No: it sells Snow Park passes only
Snow Park Pass
Unlimited rides and attractions, fleece gloves, clothing and a locker
Rides
Polar Express train, Crystal Carousel, bumper tubes, Troll Bowl, Flight of the Snowy Owl and a sledding hill
Hours
Sun–Thu 10:00–22:00, Fri–Sat 10:00–00:00
Premium
AED 199 adds hot chocolate, waterproof gloves and a meal at The Lodge
Official Snow Park Pass
From AED 149
With Holidayys
From AED 165Free cancellation up to 1 day before

Ski slope or snow park?

That is the real difference. Ski Dubai has a ski slope as well as its Snow Park: slope passes cost AED 240 for two hours and AED 340 for a full day, for experienced skiers and snowboarders aged 3 and over, with lifts, a locker and equipment included.

If you have never skied, book a lesson instead: Ski Dubai's packages include a 60-minute ski lesson from age 3 or a snowboard discovery lesson from age 8. Anyone booking slope time signs a waiver first.

Snow Abu Dhabi sells Snow Park passes only. Its snow is for rides, play and sledding, on Drift's Downhill Run.

What each pass includes

Ski Dubai sells two Snow Park passes from age 2. Snow Base, from AED 190 and tagged on its site as special weekday pricing, covers one Snow Park entry, unlimited rides, the daily penguin march, clothing rental and fleece gloves. The Snow Park Pass, AED 249, adds one chairlift and Mountain Thriller ride, hot chocolate and a locker. Snow Daycation, AED 335, makes the chairlift and Mountain Thriller unlimited and adds one activity, such as a 40-minute penguin encounter.

Snow Abu Dhabi's Snow Park Pass, AED 149 from age 2, covers unlimited rides and attractions, fleece gloves, clothing rental and a locker. Snow Premium, AED 199, adds hot chocolate, waterproof gloves and a meal at The Lodge.

Our Ski Dubai ticket covers Snow Park entry with a jacket and boots, but not gloves or warm socks, so bring your own or buy them there. Our prices for both venues are on the cards above.

Rides and penguins

At Ski Dubai the Mountain Thriller reaches up to 40 km/h, zorb balls roll down a snowy slope, and the chairlift takes you to the top of the slope; the Snow Bullet zipline comes with the bigger packages.

Ski Dubai is also home to gentoo and king penguins. Lunch or dinner with them costs AED 349, with a printed photo, and a private encounter, the Ultimate Penguin Experience, AED 900.

At Snow Abu Dhabi the Snowflake Garden has the Crystal Carousel and the Polar Express train, and there are bumper tubes, lookout towers, the Troll Bowl, where you roll down a lane inside an inflatable ball, and the Flight of the Snowy Owl, a suspended glider ride.

Hours and getting there

Ski Dubai is on the ground floor of Mall of the Emirates, reached by Metro, taxi or car. It opens 10:00 to 23:00 from Monday to Thursday, 10:00 to midnight on Friday, and 09:00 to midnight on Saturday and Sunday.

Snow Abu Dhabi is in Reem Mall on Al Reem Island, reached by taxi or car. It opens 10:00 to 22:00 from Sunday to Thursday, and 10:00 to midnight on Friday and Saturday. Allow about 30 minutes from arrival to reach the snow, and pick your clothing sizes online at least 24 hours ahead to save time.

Children

Both venues admit children from age 2. Children aged 2 to 13 in Ski Dubai's Snow Park, and 2 to 15 on its slope and at Snow Abu Dhabi, must be with an adult who holds a valid ticket.

Some rides have their own limits: Snow Abu Dhabi lists them for each attraction, and our Ski Dubai ticket notes minimums posted at each ride.

Our snow tickets

Dubai · 2h 30m

Ski Dubai Tickets

Ski Dubai is an indoor snow resort inside Mall of the Emirates, held at around minus two degrees all year while the city outside runs to forty. This ticket covers the Snow Park, which is the play side of the resort rather than the ski slope: tobogganing runs, a bobsled ride, snowball-throwing galleries, climbing towers, a zorb-ball run and the Mountain Thriller slide, plus a gentle snow-covered play area for younger children. Winter clothing, jackets and boots are included and issued at the entrance, so you can arrive in shorts and be properly dressed in minutes - you need only bring your own gloves and warm socks, or buy them on site. There is also a colony of king and gentoo penguins in residence, with scheduled appearances through the day. Allow around two hours. It is a reliable option in the summer, when much of Dubai's outdoor programme is unusable, and it works for a wide age range.

From

AED 333

per person

Abu Dhabi · 3h

Snow Abu Dhabi Entrance Ticket

Snow Abu Dhabi at Reem Mall, on Al Reem Island, is one of the world's largest indoor snow parks: real snow and sub-zero air in a themed winter village. Its 20 rides and attractions include the Crystal Carousel, the Polar Express Train, Flight of the Snowy Owl, the Snowflake Garden and the Enchanted Tree, with relaxed and high-thrill activities side by side, so the whole family can play at its own pace. Your ticket includes unlimited Snow Park rides and attractions, outfit rental, fleece gloves and locker rental. There is no skiing or snowboarding: this is a snow park for rides and play, not a ski slope. Allow around three hours, and wear warm layers under the rented outfit, because it is properly cold inside.

From

AED 165

per person

Ski Dubai and Snow Abu Dhabi: your questions

Can you ski at Snow Abu Dhabi?

No. Snow Abu Dhabi sells Snow Park passes, for its rides, sledding and play. To ski or snowboard, go to Ski Dubai, whose slope passes start at AED 240 for two hours.

Which is cheaper, Ski Dubai or Snow Abu Dhabi?

Snow Abu Dhabi: its official Snow Park Pass is AED 149. At Ski Dubai, Snow Base is from AED 190 and the Snow Park Pass AED 249. Our prices for both venues are on the cards above.

What do Ski Dubai's Snow Park passes include?

Snow Base, from AED 190, covers one Snow Park entry, unlimited rides, the daily penguin march, clothing rental and fleece gloves. The Snow Park Pass, AED 249, adds one chairlift and Mountain Thriller ride, hot chocolate and a locker. Both are for ages 2 and over.

What are Ski Dubai's opening hours?

Monday to Thursday 10:00 to 23:00, Friday 10:00 to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday 09:00 to midnight.

Can beginners ski at Ski Dubai?

Yes, with a lesson: its packages include a 60-minute ski lesson from age 3 and a snowboard discovery lesson from age 8. Slope passes are for experienced skiers and snowboarders.

Do you need to bring warm clothes?

Mostly not: both venues include clothing rental in their passes. Our Ski Dubai ticket includes a jacket and boots but not gloves or warm socks, so bring those or buy them there.

Are there penguins at Ski Dubai?

Yes, gentoo and king penguins. Snow Base and the Snow Park Pass both include the daily penguin march, and lunch or dinner with the penguins costs AED 349.

What are Snow Abu Dhabi's opening hours?

Sunday to Thursday 10:00 to 22:00, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 to midnight.

Passes, prices and hours checked on the official Ski Dubai and Snow Abu Dhabi site on 23 September 2026, and both Snow Park pass pages again on 3 October 2026. They change, so check before you go. Sources: Ski Dubai · Ski Dubai Snow Park passes · Ski Dubai slope passes · Ski Dubai penguin packages · Ski Dubai: your guide · Ski Dubai: come prepared · Snow Abu Dhabi · Snow Abu Dhabi Snow Park passes · Snow Abu Dhabi: your guide · Snow Abu Dhabi: come prepared

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