Key Points
- Trojena, part of NEOM, aims to be the world’s first “vertical ski village” with 30km of year-round ski slopes atop luxury buildings
- Located at over 2,500 meters on Jebel Al Lawz, it will feature artificial snow, a massive lake, and futuristic mountain architecture
- Saudi Crown Prince’s $500B+ NEOM megaproject targets economic diversification beyond oil
- Construction has achieved major milestones with cutting-edge snowmaking powered by renewable energy
- Project faces ongoing scrutiny over labor, funding, and environmental impact
New Delhi: In the rocky highlands of Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk province, the Kingdom is racing to complete one of the world’s boldest tourism and infrastructure feats: Trojena, a luxury ski resort and centerpiece of the $500B-plus NEOM “city of the future”.
Set at altitudes over 2,500 meters atop Jebel Al Lawz, Trojena will become the world’s first truly vertical ski village, boasting 30–36km of artificial ski slopes layered over high-rise hotels, luxury residences, shopping malls, and wellness retreats. The resort’s all-year draw is powered by advanced snowmaking tech artificial snow created with renewable energy, most of it produced by high-efficiency snow cannons using desalinated and recycled water.
Artificial Winter Wonderland: How Trojena Makes Snow in the Desert
Saudi Arabia’s natural climate posed a formidable challenge: Trojena receives almost no natural snowfall. But engineers turned to high-altitude siting between 1,500 and 2,600 meters to exploit cooler temperatures, making snow production feasible even in winter nights when mercury dips below freezing.
Snowmaking at Trojena involves:
- Advanced snow cannons operating at warmer temperatures than traditional models
- Sustainable water use from desalination and meltwater recovery systems
- Smart climate controls to ensure consistent and energy-efficient slope conditions
- Renewable energy sources minimizing environmental footprint
This artificial winter allows for authentic skiing, snowboarding, and tubing, guaranteed for three months annually, with synthetic “dry” ski slopes for the rest of the year. An artificial lake, projected to use over 57 billion liters of water, will anchor the resort as a hub for winter sports and recreation.
A Mega-Project Transforming Saudi Arabia’s Global Appeal
Launched in 2017 under the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the NEOM project aims to transform Saudi Arabia’s global image and liberate its economy from hydrocarbon dependence. Trojena is one of six headline attractions in NEOM, which also includes:
- The Line: A 170km-long car-free city with revolutionary urban design
- Oxagon: A floating industrial hub
- Sindalah: Luxury Red Sea island destination
- Shushah Island, Gulf of Aqaba Gardens: Futuristic eco-tourism and research zones.
The NEOM developments, including Trojena, are designed to showcase sustainability, cutting-edge technology, and ambitious lifestyles targeting millions of visitors and thousands of permanent residents by 2030.
Milestones, Construction, and Challenges
- Trojena has completed major excavation milestones, notably the B3 tunnel connecting the core “Vault” village to the artificial lake.
- Designs feature input from globally acclaimed architects, blending futuristic lines with mountainous natural beauty.
- Concerns remain: NEOM faces reported funding delays, criticism over forced relocations, and skepticism about sustainability claims.
- Saudi leaders assert the development is “like a military operation,” with construction pressed forward despite harsh terrain and logistical difficulties.
Looking Ahead: Trojena and NEOM’s Global Ambitions
With a projected opening in 2026 and aspirations to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, Trojena may soon offer the surreal possibility of skiing in the Saudi desert, all while gazing at Red Sea vistas and golden sand dunes. For Saudi Arabia, the stakes are high: successful completion would cement the Kingdom’s place as a pioneer of extreme engineering, redefining both Middle Eastern tourism and the very idea of what’s possible in the world’s deserts.
“We’re reimagining what mountain and winter tourism can be,” says Trojena’s leadership, as the world watches to see if Saudi Arabia can deliver its dream of artificial snow, luxury living, and economic transformation in the heart of the desert.
