- Snow Oman is the third indoor snow park from the entertainment pioneer as it continues to expand its footprint across MENA
- Opening of new attraction marks another milestone in its investment strategy in the Sultanate and underscores its commitment to bring innovative experiences to families across the region
Muscat, Oman, 07 February 2023: Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment today celebrated the official opening of Snow Oman, underscoring its commitment to deliver innovative experiences for guests across the region and marking another milestone in its investment strategy in the Sultanate.
The momentous occasion was celebrated with an opening ceremony which featured an array of entertainment including ice skating performances. It was attended by Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment, Mark D. Haak Wegmann, Managing Director, Leisure & Entertainment, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment, and Mohammad El Etri, Vice President, Global Snow, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment.
Strategically located in Mall of Oman and covering a sprawling area of 14,830 square metres, Snow Oman is the largest indoor snow park in the MENA region and the first and only indoor snow destination in the Sultanate. The must-visit destination features more than 20 family-friendly rides and attractions including a 430-m ice rink as well as a penguinarium, which is home to a colony of king and gentoo penguins. Storytelling is integrated into the experience, which has a ‘Desert Blizzard’ theme and resembles an imaginary world where Oman’s cityscapes and sand dunes are covered in real snow, whilst still reflecting the local culture and heritage.
“We are proud to welcome the newest addition to our ever-expanding portfolio, Snow Oman. Entertainment plays an important role in the growth of the local economies, and the opening of Snow Oman marks another major milestone in our investment strategy in the Sultanate, as well as demonstrating our ongoing commitment to deliver innovative experiences for guests across the region”, said Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment. He added, “Entertainment not only impacts the local economy but provides us with a much-needed sense of community, and Snow Oman delivers a unique and immersive way for families to spend quality time together.”
In 2005, Majid Al Futtaim made the impossible possible by bringing real snow to the desert and launching the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort, Ski Dubai. Just over 10 years later, it expanded its footprint with the opening of Ski Egypt, which was a first-of-its-kind attraction in the African continent. At the end of last year, Ski Dubai and Ski Egypt placed first and third respectively in the ‘World’s Best Indoor Ski Resort’ category at the prestigious World Ski Awards, a global initiative that recognises excellence in ski tourism.
In 2017, Majid Al Futtaim established Global Snow, which is the number one international brand for designing, consulting, managing and opening indoor snow entertainment facilities. Later this year, it will continue to expand its portfolio with the launch of Snow Abu Dhabi in Reem Mall in Q2 2023.
Founded in 1992, Majid Al Futtaim is the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
A remarkable business success story, Majid Al Futtaim started from one an’s vision to transform the face of shopping, entertainment and leisure to ‘create great moments for everyone, every day’. It has since grown into one of the United Arab Emirates’ most respected and successful businesses, spanning 17 international markets, employing more than 43,000 people, and obtaining the highest credit rating (BBB) among privately-held corporates in the region.
Majid Al Futtaim owns and operates 29 shopping malls, 13 hotels and four mixed-use communities, with further developments underway in the region. The shopping malls portfolio includes Mall of the Emirates, Mall of Egypt, Mall of Oman, City Centre malls, My City Centre neighbourhood centres and five community malls, which are in joint venture with the Government of Sharjah. The Company is the exclusive franchisee for Carrefour in over 30 markets across the Middle East, Africa and Asia, operating a portfolio of more than 375 outlets including City+, the region’s first checkout-free store, and an online store.
Majid Al Futtaim operates more than 600 VOX Cinemas screens, as well as a portfolio of world-class leisure and entertainment experiences across the region, including Ski Dubai, Ski Egypt, Dreamscape, Magic Planet, Little Explorers and iFLY Dubai. The Company is parent to a Fashion, Home and Specialty retail business, representing international brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, AllSaints, lululemon athletica, Crate & Barrel, and THAT, a Majid Al Futtaim fashion concept store and app. In addition, Majid Al Futtaim operates Enova, a facility and energy management company, through a joint venture operation with Veolia, a global leader in optimised environment resource management.
