In Dubai, Let It . . . Snow?

Ski Dubai is the latest, and perhaps the most incongruous, attraction for a growing legion of tourists and business travelers, who heretofore have engaged in more climate-appropriate pursuits like water sports and sand safaris that take them deep into the rolling dunes of the Arabian Desert in all-terrain vehicles.

As part of the $13.60 cost of admission to the snow park ($10.90 for children), the resort provides matching black winter garments that make kids all but indistinguishable to parents as they frolic in the snow. Access to the ski slopes is a bit more expensive (about $35 for adults and $30 for children for a two-hour pass during peak times).

Inside the sprawling complex, which covers about 5 1/2 acres and can accommodate up to 1,500 customers at once, the temperature was a frigid 28 degrees (it is lowered even further at night to assist with making snow). Developers say it's the world's first indoor black diamond run.

I visited the mall with Hassan, his wife Sadia, a doctor, and their children, Uzer, 6, and Maha, 4. Uzer took his first-ever sledding runs, tumbling off of the plastic cart at one point but smiling all the way. Maha preferred the igloo and a large ice sculpture of a polar bear. After about an hour, their parents and I got cold.

"Next time we'll go skiing," Hassan said as he tried to corral the kids, who clearly did not want to leave. "Imagine telling people you learned to ski in Dubai."

Ski Dubai, at the Mall of the Emirates, is on Shiekh Zayed Road, Exit 39, heading toward Al Barsha. Various snow park passes are offered, such as the ski slope day pass ($56-$60), which includes the whole ski or snowboard getup, down to the pants and socks (but bring your own hat and gloves). Group and private lessons also available. Ski Dubai info:http://www.skidubai.ae.

For information on travel to Dubai: Dubai's Department of Tourism and Marketing,http://www.dubaitourism.ae.

Jonathan Finer is a Washington Post reporter currently on assignment in Baghdad.