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     Most people would think you were mad if you said you were going skiing in Dubai. Arabia is not renowned for its snow capped peaks, but if you head into the desert you can enjoy an altogether different type of skiing – sand skiing.

   It’s a quick sport to learn, it doesn’t hurt when you fall over, and you get a real buzz when you feel the rush of the wind as you take a fast ride down the sandy slopes and fly to the bottom.

   One of the favourite areas for sand skiing in Dubai is the huge dune affectionately known as ‘Big Red,’ which is half way down the main road to Hatta. In reality most people opt for sand boarding, which involves using a standard snowboard to surf the sand. Some sports stores sell ‘sandboards’ which are cheaper and more basic and, as an alternative for children, a plastic sledge is enough to provide a fun ride.

   All the major tour companies offer trips to sand board some of the highest dunes in the desert, either as part of a desert safari or as a dedicated sand boarding tour, which means you don’t need to supply your own equipment.

   I chose to try out the sport with Knight Tours, who have been in the business for nine years, and was picked up from the Metropolitan Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road by Walid, my tour guide for the day.

   Hopping in the front of his Land Cruiser, I was introduced to fellow adventurers Gaurav and his cousin Sanjeev, who were on holiday from Bombay. We headed out of Dubai on the Al Ain Road, leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind. The skyscrapers which line the Sheikh Zayed Road soon looked like a two dimensional cardboard cut-out in the distance behind us as the landscape became increasingly barren. The fast highway is flanked on both sides with rolling sand dunes whose golden hues became distinctively orange and red as we headed further from the city.

   We turned off the main road and passed signs warning of the dangers of camels wandering onto the road before heading off-road and into the desert. Walid powered the four-wheel-drive car up and down a series of small dunes to a clearing where the rest of the Knight Tours drivers and their passengers were starting to gather. The drivers partially deflated their tires to allow better traction in soft sand and we headed off in an impressive convoy of 12 Land Cruisers in search of the bigger dunes in the distance.

   It was not long before we were instinctively gripping the hand rails inside the car as Walid thundered up steep dunes in low gear with high revs, before flying down the other side. I was glad I had only had a light lunch as this was a true roller coaster ride, and as much fun for the passengers as the driver – and Walid was clearly enjoying himself.

   “I love my job,” he said smiling as we hurtled across the front of one steep sand dune secretly praying the car wouldn’t roll over. “Is everyone ok?,” he asked to a resounding ‘Yes’ from the back as we sped up another dune. Walid clearly knew what he was doing and we started to feel more confident and relaxed as we sped along before eventually stopping for a brief rest.

   Knight Tours drivers are all locals from Dubai and are highly experienced in driving on sand – or ‘dune bashing’ as it is known.




   “Dune driving is every Arab guy’s hobby,” explained the company’s Marketing Executive, Zayed Al Gharib, who was driving the lead car. “With clients we move together as one convey with everyone following the leader. All our drivers are trained and checked and now the police are also checking and giving special licenses. That’s why it’s a lot safer to go dune driving with a professional company like ours if you don’t know what you are doing.”

   After a quick drink of water, we were soon flying through the dunes again until a popping sound from one of the tires interrupted our fun – Walid had tackled a sharp bend at speed and the tire had separated from the wheel. The other drivers in the convoy noticed and Zayed came to our rescue with an air compressor. As the tire re-inflated it popped back into position and we were soon on our way again and rejoined the rest of the convoy at the top of a steep dune where we were to try our hands at sand boarding.

   “Everybody likes to play in the sand which makes sand skiing very popular. It’s very different from skiing on snow so people like to try it and do something different,” Zayed explained.

   Walid led the way – ignoring the bindings on the board, he kicked off his sandals and was soon flying down the slope just standing on the board in bare feet. Next to go were a French tourist and his young son who chose the easier option of sitting on the board to zoom down the slope.

   After watching a 10 year-old English boy and his younger sister balance perfectly all the way to the bottom standing up, it was my turn. Shuffling the board forward with my feet to the edge and, despite having never skied or snowboarded before, I was soon gliding down the slope and balanced all the way to the bottom – I was determined not to be shown up by a couple of kids and was secretly pleased with myself not to have fallen over.  

   It had taken just a matter of seconds to reach the bottom, but now came the hard part – getting back to the top again. Walking in soft sand is not easy at the best of times when you are trying to walk up a steep slope it is even harder. Sinking deep into the sand with every step, it was hard work and I made a mental note that I must get fitter as I eventually reached the top completely out of breath.

   Once everyone that wanted to have a go, we were back in the cars and speeding our way across the sand to Knight Tours’ Bedouin camp where the evening entertainment was waiting. Camel rides proved a popular choice with most of the guests, as did the falcon show and the opportunity to dress in traditional Arab clothing and get henna tattoos.

   The guides passed around Arabic coffee, tea and sweets as we relaxed smoking sheesha pipes while the barbeque dinner was prepared. A belly dancer added to the atmosphere before the evening came to an end and we drove the 45 minutes back to Dubai. It had been a thrilling new experience, and a thoroughly enjoyable way to spend an afternoon and evening in the desert.