Trojena: inside Saudi Arabia's snow-topped mountain tourist destination


Hayley Skirka
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Trojena, the proposed mountain tourism destination that will form part of Saudi Arabia's Neom megaproject, will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.

The kingdom is set to become the first nation in western Asia to host the games, with more than 32 countries due to participate.

“This achievement sheds light on the enormous potential and the outstanding infrastructure of Saudi Arabia to host and organise international-level sports competitions and games successfully," said Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

The project was launched in March by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who called it "a unique example of how Saudi Arabia is creating destinations based on its geographical and environmental diversity".

Trojena will be the first major outdoor skiing destination in the GCC when it is completed in 2026.

Located in the kingdom's highest mountain range, it is part of the $500 billion mega city Neom, in Tabuk, north-western Saudi Arabia. The region's cooler climate makes the prospect of skiing possible in a country that is more closely associated with the desert. Winter temperatures often dip below 0ºC in Tabuk and typically average about 10ºC less than the rest of the country for the remainder of the year.

Trojena is designed to attract visitors, holidaymakers and winter sports enthusiasts from around the world. The project's planners have divided the project into distinct districts and expect to attract different types of tourists at varying points of the year.

September to November is planned to be wellness season when yoga retreats, alternative medicine summits and artist's residencies will take place.

December to March is winter season and the perfect time for a host of snow-based sports.

Between March and May, adventure season will attract those interested in outdoor activities such as high-altitude training, mountain biking, climbing and paragliding.

And, the summer months will become lake season when the area will host food festivals, light shows, art fairs and other cultural events.

Ski slopes, snowboarding and a bustling village

The futuristic year-round destination will be made up of six different districts: Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax and Fun.

It's being billed as a place for professional and amateur skiers to hit the slopes, with runs of varying difficulty dotted across the mountain peaks, which tower up to 2,600 metres above sea level.

For apres ski vibes, there will be a village on the mountain where visitors can find shops, cafes, restaurants and hotels.

Journeys to Trojena will begin in The Vault — a futuristic vertical village nestled within the mountains where, according to the developers, advanced architecture and technology “integrates reality with the virtual world”.

Trojena will be the first major outdoor skiing destination in the GCC. Photo: Neom
Trojena will be the first major outdoor skiing destination in the GCC. Photo: Neom

Skiers and snowboarders will be able to whizz across the mountain range and enjoy views over the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, the Red Sea and the distant desert dunes.

A man-made lake and ultra-luxury resorts

Trojena will be a year-round tourism destination with an artificial lake, mountain biking, water sports and more. Photo: Neom
Trojena will be a year-round tourism destination with an artificial lake, mountain biking, water sports and more. Photo: Neom

As well as winter sports, Trojena will have a nature reserve, hiking routes, mountain biking trails and water sports that will take place on a sprawling reservoir.

Visitors will be able to check in to the ultra-luxury wellness resorts and high-end family-friendly hotels, including The Bow Hotel, which is said to be "an architectural masterpiece".

Developers say the destination is being built with the environment in mind. Design and construction will follow Neom's environmental principles, including minimising disruption to the local ecology and ensuring long-term sustainability. The tourist attractions will be made to coexist harmoniously with their surrounding natural landscape.

The kingdom's coolest place to live

Trojena will open in 2026 as part of Neom, Saudi Arabia's futuristic mega city. Photo: Neom
Trojena will open in 2026 as part of Neom, Saudi Arabia's futuristic mega city. Photo: Neom

Trojena will also be a new events destination in Saudi Arabia. A year-round calendar will have a variety of sports, arts, music and cultural festivals come to the region.

The destination is not only going to be for holidaymakers. It will also be one of the kingdom's coolest places to live, with more than 7,000 permanent residents expected to make it their home by 2030.

For those who want to live at the heart of the action, the Slope Residences are being constructed close to Trojena's ski slope and will be designed to blend into the mountain surroundings. Each luxury unit will offer unrivalled access to winter sports alongside uninterrupted views over the lake below.

Scroll through the gallery below to see snowfall across Saudi Arabia's Tabuk region

A version of this article was first published on March 4, 2022

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
End of free parking

- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18

- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued

- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket

- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200. 

- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200

- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

The bio

Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales

Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow

Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades

Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus

Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga

Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

BOSH!'s pantry essentials

Nutritional yeast

This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.

Seeds

"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."

Umami flavours

"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".

Onions and garlic

"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."

Your grain of choice

Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."

What's in the deal?

Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024

India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.

India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.

Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments

India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

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So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?

Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
 

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Scores in brief:

Day 1

New Zealand (1st innings) 153 all out (66.3 overs) - Williamson 63, Nicholls 28, Yasir 3-54, Haris 2-11, Abbas 2-13, Hasan 2-38

Pakistan (1st innings) 59-2 (23 overs)

2019 ASIAN CUP FINAL

Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Updated: December 12, 2024, 12:04 PM`