Dubai to build world’s longest ski-slope and largest fountain

Continuing its effort to remain one of the top world class tourism destinations, Dubai on Monday launched Meydan One, a tourism development project expected to feature a 1.2 km-long ski slope, an ice rink along with the world’s largest fountain.

The project was launched by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.

Dubai already has an artificial indoor ski slope in Mall of the Emirates shopping centre, opened in November 2005. But the 1.5 km-long ice rink will be the world’s longest.

The project will be located between the 829 metres-tall Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, and the Meydan racecourse in the emirate’s centre and cover an area of 3.5 million square metres.

Aside from the planned ski slope and ice rink, the development will also introduce the world’s largest fountain, capable of shooting water up to 420 metres high, according to Xinhua news agency.

Hotels, residential properties, a shopping mall and a high-rise building called Meydan One Tower are included in the project.

The project’s phase one is slated to be completed by 2020, the year Dubai will host The World Expo as the first ever Arab city.