A new look at Dubai’s winter wonderland

December 22, 2022

December 2022,

Building a Ski slope right in the middle of the desert (inside Mall of the Emirates, to be precise) is not something you see often. This challenging task was undertaken by Majid Al Futtaim. It is not just another ski slope, it happens to be the world’s third largest indoor ski slope and the first to open in the Middle East.

We, at Creation, as the supplier of lighting products for this project, had our own challenges, identifying and supplying the most appropriate unique combination of lights in each area to enhance the architectural features while keeping track of required illumination, which again varies according to the function of a particular place. Our fulfilment lies in seeing the crowd of happy tourists as we look forward to the next challenging project.

A new look at Dubai’s winter wonderland

Project Name – Ski Dubai
Client – Majid Al Futtaim
Contractor – Khansaheb

Imagine yourself playing with penguins, building a snowman, rolling down the snow covered hills, riding the twin track bobsled or exploring the snow cavern. And all this nowhere else but right here in Dubai.

Welcome to Ski Dubai, the world’s third largest indoor ski slope and the first to open in the Middle East. Located inside the buzzing Mall of the Emirates, you will find yourself at one of the most innovative and exciting tourist attractions in the Middle East. Truly one of Dubai’s top indoor activities. Even during Dubai’s hotter months, the temperature stays at a super cool -4°C indoors.

Creation Gulf is proud to be associated with the project through the scope of selection, and supply of light fixtures that comply with lighting standards and project requirements. The client is Majid Al Futtaim and the contractor is Khansaheb.

Creation adhered to several important requirements while executing the project. These include working with CIBSE guidelines to achieve standard lux levels and uniformity, ensuring that the area is properly illuminated, and the correct fixtures are used according to the mounting procedure for a particular area.

Creation also ensured that the architectural features of the interior are accentuated using different lighting techniques such as accent and ambient lighting. An equally important consideration was to ensure that each area receives enough illumination to give the guests a welcome vibe while highlighting the ambience of the location.

The key products used in the project include spotlights, neon flex, linear lights, surface-mounted fixtures, decorative lights, and circular luminaries. Some of the unique features of the project are accent lighting on the conceptual background walls as well as beautifully illuminated columns in the middle of the public areas. Lighting fixtures were used in public areas, ticketing, BOH ticketing, ski school counter, ski rental counter, F&B concession, open changing, closed changing, VIP rooms, toilets and family changing areas.

A major challenge of the project was to make sure that the entire lighting design complements the area covered in terms of look and feel.

Define ‘Whom’ the lights will shine for!

The first step is to finalize the types of lights suited for each area such as gathering spots. Each area has its own use and purpose and requires a unique blend of lighting. The lighting plan must address the required ambience for each space and choose the right mix of lights. Additionally, good lighting for resorts must also be functional, illuminating dark pathways and pool areas as well as being fully customizable in individual guest rooms.