Biggest indoor ski park to be built with Dubai expertise

The company that brought snow to Dubai has set its sights on helping to build the world’s biggest indoor ski park, in China.

Majid Al Futtaim, the developer behind Ski Dubai, announced it would provide design and development consultancy services for Wintastar Shanghai, an alpine-themed park expected to be more than three times the size of the Al Barsha attraction.

The 90,000-square-metre park in the subtropical city will have an Olympic-standard slope, as well as snowy play zones for those reluctant to put on a pair of skis.

It is the company’s first project in East Asia and will be led by Singapore-based Kop Limited, a real estate development and entertainment company.

The agreement is the beginning of an “extensive international footprint” for Al Futtaim’s indoor snow parks, said the company’s chief executive, Ahmed Ismail.

“We are delighted to work with Kop and provide our expertise in developing what will be one of the greatest indoor snow entertainment facilities in the world,” Mr Ismail said.

“This partnership underscores Majid Al Futtaim’s extensive knowledge and experience in designing, developing and operating indoor snow entertainment facilities that speak to changing customer and lifestyle preferences.”

China already has the record for the world’s largest indoor ski and snow park.

The current title holder is the 80,0000-square-metre Harbin Wanda Indoor Ski and Winter Sports Resort.

It opened last year in Harbin, a city near the Russian border famed for its year-round ice sculptures.