OFFBEAT

Snow at 40 degrees: Unique Desert Experiences in Dubai

MakeMyTrip Blog

Last updated: Apr 3, 2017

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Dubai, also described as the Las Vegas of the Middle East, is one of those places where just about anything is possible. For the adventurous, there are such unusual things to do in Dubai  that can make you forget you are in the middle of a desert even while the sun is beating down hard. Here are some interesting examples:

Riding the Waves

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Photo Credit: Gary Bembridge/Flickr

 

My favourite past-time in Dubai is going to Wild Wadi. This outdoor water park has huge water rides going around the park, where you can sit on a tube and let the waves whisk you away. The force of the water under the slide is so powerful that it pushes you uphill, so you can feel the exhilaration of flying down the other side at full speed.

Another favourite is the wave pool that simulates the feeling of being at a beach, with the waves rolling in and slowly receding. You can try and catch the waves or move with them, close your eyes and actually believe you are bobbing up and down in the ocean. For surfing enthusiasts, Flowrider allows you to body board or even try surfing.

Snow in a Desert

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Photo Credit: Pravin Premkumar/Flickr

 

An outing in the snow is not something on my list of things to do when visiting a desert. But this is no ordinary place. Even when it is 40 degrees outside, you can go to the Snow Dome and take to the slopes.

While the snow is manufactured, the atmosphere is not. You really feel like it is snowing, and with temperatures are below zero, it is important to dress appropriately to avoid frostbite. For the locals, the Snow Dome is a real novelty, and for a tourist it is a great way to combine some of the best things about being in the Middle East with winter sports. You can actually have that European skiing holiday right in the heart of the desert!

Sun, Sand and a Golf Course

Golden sand is rarely associated with golf, a game best played on finely manicured grass. But at the oldest golf course in Dubai, the Al Awir Golf Course at Dubai’s Country Club, you can try the game as it has been traditionally played here. It takes some getting used to, but it is definitely worth a try for golf enthusiasts.

Surprisingly the courses are very well maintained and if you aren’t looking at the colour of the ground you may just get used to playing on a traditional Middle Eastern course.

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If you thought Dubai was just about sand dunes and shopping, perhaps it is time to explore how much more you can do in this unique city. If you visit during March, you can also experience the culture of Dubai at the Global Art Forum, participate in some interesting discussions and experience arts from around the globe.

Want to go skiing in Dubai? MakeMyTrip offers convenient flights to Dubai.