Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?
Mall of the Emirates
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
19 April 2015
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Ask any southeast asian about the prospect of seeing "winter wonderland" and you will receive the same reaction filled with excitement and giddiness. Those who may have experienced winter may roll their eyes out at us but, come on! Give us a break! We grew up in the tropics after all! ;)
And... since I'm a real southeast asian, I got totally hyped by it because it was my first time to see snow-- never mind if it's artificial. IT'S SNOW.
However, apart from this excitement, I am no ignorant fool. As with any kind of weather, I know for a fact that winter can be as unforgiving as any kind of weather; and holding onto snow with your bare hands isn't fun because even though it looks fluffy and harmless, the cold actually bites and digs into your skin and flesh.
*cough*
Moving on...
How to get there:
Option One - Hail a cab. Ask the driver to take you to Mall of the Emirates. Minimum fare is 12 AED-- doesn't matter if you live just on the other side of the street. You ride a cab, you pay the minimum fare. It's a bit expensive, and traffic in Dubai is really bad during rush hour but it gives you certain comforts.
Option Two - Take the Metro (train) Red line, bound for UAE Exchange Station (formerly known as Jebel Ali Station). This option is preferable because it's (1) cheap, (2) fast, and (3) readily available every 3 to 5 minutes. Just don't get caught during rush-hour (around 4pm to 6pm) or it may take you three trains before you could actually push your way in. You'll need a NOL card to ride the metro (you can also use it to ride a bus), and the good news is you can actually purchase it in booths inside the metro station. There are several kinds of NOL cards, but suffice it to say that you buy the tourist NOL card if you're not staying long; and buy the silver NOL card, if you're going to stay in Dubai for several years. Make sure to top it up with enough money, because the rule says that you always have to have a minimum of 15 AED in your NOL card. If any inspecting RTA officer catches you, you'll get fined (around 300 AED, I think?).
I'm in the Mall of the Emirates now. Where do I go from here?
For Option One takers: Ski Dubai is located on the ground floor. You can ask the concierge (customer's desk) for directions.
For Option Two takers: Walk past the barricades and tap your NOL card to get out. Read and follow the signs (and crowd), walk for 5 minutes and you will see the mall entrance. From there, head straight and go past Cold Stone Creamery-- passing through a line of electronic shops-- and then turn right by the Samsung retail store. Continue heading straight from there until you reach the cinemas and restaurants (no, it's not the food court), and then look a bit to your left. You will see snow and gondola lifts from the window. You're there, but not quite yet.
Head left and take the escalator to the ground floor. Turn right and-- try not to get distracted and overwhelmed by sports equipment stores around you-- you will be able to see the entrance to Ski Dubai.
I'm here... so, what now?
Watch your step as you enter Ski Dubai. There's an elevation there and you might miss it because your head will be too busy looking around.
Turn to right and you'll see counters with attendants. Pick your activity and pay up; make sure to ask for a locker. It's 20 AED, but you'll get a refund once you've finished. First time I visited, I chose snow boarding; second time, skiing. Whatever your poison is, rest-assured, it will be expensive as heck. Hahaha. Prices are posted on a board right above you, so you need not worry about it. If you want an idea how much the damage will be, you can visit THIS SITE. I think you can also pre-book there, if you want to make certain of a slot, especially if you're taking lesson.
But, the cheapest alternative will be to scour cobone.com for deals. They rarely have promos for Ski Dubai these days, but when they do it's more than worth it. We got a deal from before for 100 AED each, and that's more than 50% savings.
The counter attendant will advise you on what to do next so you won't need to worry about it. Buy gloves (if you haven't got one) at the equipment shop right beside the counter where you paid. The cheap ones will do. I tried it and it's effective, plus you can move your fingers better too.
After buying gloves, put your stuff in the locker first and then go gather your garment (it comes in S, M, L, XL, etc..), socks (you paid for it already) and boots (Europe-standard sizes). Sit on one of the benches and put it on but DON'T WEAR YOUR BOOTS YET. Save it for later.
Head behind the souvenir counter: you'll see three computers there, up a platform. Stand in front of one unit and fill-in the details that are being asked (name, e-mail address, phone number, country of origin, height, righty or lefty, etc...). Once you're done, it will dispense a receipt; you will then take said receipt to the equipment counter and hand it over to the person manning it. He will leave you for a while to gather equipment and then he will ask for your boots. Give it-- he will test-fit your boots on the ski or snow board for quality check and tighten its screw; then, he will ask you to sign an electronic pad on the counter table. After that, head back to the benches to your left (there's a signage there that says Discovery Lessons waiting area), and wear your boots.
Wait until your instructor comes to give you the basics and then you're off. Use your locker's key-card to open the barricade that will lead you towards the slope.
The fun begins after that, for approximately an hour.
I went skiing on March 2016
Which is harder: Snow Boarding or Skiing?
I can't speak for everyone, but I prefer skiing more than snow boarding. It's easier for me to stand on both feet with the skis on because it fundamentally applies the same principles as skating, and I know how to skate (not expertly. I just know how NOT to fall on my face).
Bringing a friend with me to ski, however, proved somewhat that skiing is easier to learn than snow boarding. Skiing doesn't require as much balance as snow boarding because you can stand and control both your legs and feet-- just don't let your skis cross over one another or you'll topple over and fall. Going down the slope, I was more confident to do it in skis more than when I was on a snow boards so... that's my bit of opinion.
After Skiing/Snowboarding
Listen to the instructor at all times. Remove your equipment while still inside the slope; and then walk back towards the escalators. There are equipment racks down there so just put it on carefully; your garments and boots can be placed in a separate rack outside in the benches area.
Gather your stuff after you're done and don't forget to return the key-card. Find a computer installed just past the photo booth, and insert the key-card in the slot. The machine will dispense 20 AED per card. Afterwards, you can go on your way.
**bonus! I'm hungry, but I don't like the restaurants in the "food court" we just passed. Are there any other places where I can eat?
Like I said before, that is not the food court. Head upstairs using the escalator and turn to your right. Head straight, and you will find THE food court with fast food abound.
And yes, they have JOLLIBEE in there, for my kabayans.
Haha.
Happy tripping! :)
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