If you think that skiing is limited to the mountains then you should think again.

The Middle East seems like the last place anyone would choose to go skiing. Searing summer temperatures of 45°C and possible humidity of 90% are a frequent occurrence during the summer months. Strapping yourself in to bindings and donning your goggles would surely be the last thing you would associate with a city such as Dubai.

Surprisingly, at 22,500 ², Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates is home to the world’s largest indoor ski slope, Ski Dubai. Opened back in 2005 and developed by the Majid Al Futtaim Group, the indoor resort features a whopping 85 metre high mountain with 5 slopes of varying difficulty including the world’s first indoor black run (I didn’t even know it was possible!) which is 400 metres long. For easy access to the top of the slopes, there’s an indoor 4-man chairlift and also a drag lift if you’re by yourself and don’t fancy the awkward chairlift small talk.

Ski Dubai hold various different events throughout the year. Currently hosting summer Ramadan camps, they host student nights every Monday and there is always the opportunity to take ski or snowboard lessons with their qualified instructors. As well as lessons, for the advanced skier they do have a race program.

But Ski Dubai isn’t all about skiing. Oh no, there are a few more strings to their bow than just skiing and snowboarding. Right next to the slopes is a 3,000m² Snow Park play area made up of twin track sled and toboggan runs, an icy body slide, climbing towers and even an ice cave. Running from the top of the slopes to the bottom is the Snow Bullet – the world’s first sub-zero zip line where you can race against a partner up in the air or more people down on the ski runs! Plenty to keep those non-skiers out there busy.

But what tops it off for me is something you think you’d be even less likely to see out in the desert. Penguins. That’s right, Penguins (that really takes the biscuit!). A colony of both Gentoo and King Penguins live at Ski Dubai. There is the opportunity to get up nice and close to the little critters at the ‘March of the Penguins’ and even get to swim with them at extra cost. The chance to do that won’t come easily unless you’re also planning a trip to the South Pole any time soon.