SKIING IN DUBAI? IS SKI INSURANCE REALLY NECESSARY FOR INDOOR SKI SLOPES?

 

Imagine being lucky enough to have the opportunity - and energy - to swim at the beach in the morning and cool off by hitting nearby ski slopes in the afternoon - or vice-versa - a 'Ski-Beach' day as it is known. There are a few places in the world where this is possible, like Southern California, Cyprus, Nice, Dubai. Dubai? Skiing outdoors, on real mountains, on real snow is one thing - but who in their right mind would travel abroad to use an indoor ski slope?

 

Ski Insurance for indoor or artificial ski slopes has not been given much thought until recently. After all, indoor slopes are just those places close to home that you use when learning to ski or snowboard -- or to keep the ski muscles toned for next season. carpets in dubai However, with the continued growth of tourism in the United Arab Emirates, the popularity of Dubai, and the advent of skiing in the desert - liability issues deserve some consideration.

 

Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East, with a huge snow-covered area as big as three football fields and skiing for all levels. Expert skiers may not find indoor skiing much of an attraction yet experienced skiers, accustomed to skiing the best mountains in the world, claim to have had a good experience there. It is certainly a novelty, with real snow, plenty of activities for the kids and even a restaurant with a real crackling fire. Equipment is included with a Slope or Snow Park pass. Clothing is also included, with the exception of hats and gloves (for hygiene reasons) but they can be purchased on site. Using your own clothes or equipment is allowed - but who wants to schlep all that heavy gear to Dubai?



Visitors heading to destinations in the United Arab Emirates pack hot weather clothes and set off for their beach holiday with no thought of hats, gloves, skiing or boarding. Once there, however, it may be tempting to escape the desert heat for a while and cool off with some fun in the snow at Ski Dubai. Two more even larger indoor ski complexes are planned - in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain - so skiing in the desert is here to stay.

 

While focused on sun, water and beach activities holidaymakers may not even know about Ski Dubai until they get there. So what happens if the urge to ski takes over? What about ski insurance? Is there cover for a broken leg - your own or someone else's? It's a good question.

 

Skiers must demonstrate a degree of competency before being let loose on the slopes at Ski Dubai - which is a good thing. velvet curtains dubai Those found lacking in skills are steered towards classes or asked to leave the slopes for safety reasons. Safety is obviously a big concern - but who pays if an accident occurs when skiers and boarders are using the facilities 'at their own risk' as is clearly stated on the website? Who will be held liable for personal injuries, injuries to third parties, damage to personal equipment, clothing, or the facility? What about stolen or lost belongings?

 

As well as broken bones, bruised egos, and the usual hazards associated with skiing and boarding there are other insurance basics to consider. How about compensation for having to return home early (curtailment) - or emergency medical repatriation to the UK if an injury (or worse) occurs? Travel insurance with winter sports cover has to be purchased before leaving the UK so once there (with basic travel insurance only) what can be done about ski insurance? Annual multi-trip travel insurance policies often include winter sports, however, so always check. For a few pounds extra winter sports cover can be added to a policy - as long as it is done before leaving home.

 

The snow at Ski Dubai is the real thing -- made with the same non-chemical technology already used at outdoor ski resorts throughout the world. The place is like a giant refrigerator - a 'snowasis' in the desert. They make thirty tonnes of snow each day - in a place where water is scarcer and more expensive than oil! So, if you grow weary of all that fun in the desert sun and still have the energy to ski it could be a real temptation. With an indoor temperature of -2C, its promotion as 'the coolest thing to do in Dubai' is for good reason. They have a real quad chair lift and tow lifts - plus don't forget it's in the magical Arabian Desert - so kids are carried back up the ski hill on flying carpets! How cool is that.

 

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