Discovery Channel films documentary on Ski Dubai for global broadcast

The documentary forms part of an upcoming series on major construction challenges to be shown exclusively on the Showtime network in the Middle East later this year.

The film attempts to dissect the challenges that have been overcome to create a man made ski resort, amidst the burning heat of the Arabian dessert.

The Ski Dubai snow dome is situated at the Mall of the Emirates and springs up next to Interchange 4 on Sheikh Zayed Road. The crew will return to Dubai in July 2005 to film another influential moment in the construction of the ski resort when it will start snow production in the desert during the height of summer.

Marian Williams, Vice President Programming, EMEA, Discovery Networks Europe, said:
"Discovery Channel has gained exclusive access to film the Ski Dome and we are really excited to capture on film the complexities involved in building this incredible Ski slope, which really is a great example of engineering at its best. We are committed to localizing our programming which has great appeal for viewers in the Middle East and this follows on successfully from our recent Egypt Week specials."

Premiering later this year, other episodes highlighted in this new series includes the building of a railway in China, the Realto Bridge in Venice and the construction of one of the world's largest cable car systems in Hong Kong.

Producer/director Patrick Fleming, Wag TV, said, "Ski Dubai is the first indoor spiral slope with angles allowing people of all abilities to ski down the slope at one time. The ski lift itself is the first to be suspended from a roof and it is also the first in the world which does not run in a straight line. A revolutionary gear and pulley system turns the lift through 60 degrees at the mid-station."

Fleming and his crew reveal the secrets of new insulation technology which will keep the inside of the ski resort between a frigid -1 to -2°C, whereas the outside temperature could exceed 50°C.

Other novel ski dome features include a series of steps built in to the slope to stop avalanches from happening, while lighting engineers have invented a lamp which makes the snow look its true white colour instead of the greenish cast associated with manufactured snow.

Ski Dubai will recreate an authentic mountain environment with frozen waterfalls, rocky outcrops and Alpine firs. The resort will feature five different multidirectional ski runs with a number of slope gradients, a dedicated learner's area, snowboard stunt park and quarter pipes, as well as a 3,000 square metre Snow Park.