Snow Dunes, Doha Festival City

Overview

Snow Dunes is an indoor snow park inside Doha Festival City, the large mall on Al Shamal Road in Umm Salal, north of central Doha. Billed as Qatar’s first Arabian-themed indoor snow park, it mixes real snow, sub-zero air and desert design: the slopes are shaped like white sand dunes, and the rest area takes its name from the sanbouk, a traditional Gulf dhow. Inside, the temperature is held at around minus 5°C all year.

For families living in Qatar, it is a straightforward way to give children their first snowball fight without getting on a plane. For visitors, it is a fun novelty on a hot afternoon, and the contrast of stepping out of 40°C heat into a snowstorm is half the appeal. It suits children aged three and up, groups of friends and anyone who has never touched real snow.

Sessions are timed and prices are not small, so the trick is to choose the right pass and arrive ready to make the most of your slot. Here is what is inside, what each pass includes and how to fit it around the rest of Doha Festival City, including Angry Birds World next door.

Photos from social media

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The story behind Snow Dunes

Snow Dunes opened in August 2019, on the second day of Eid Al Adha, according to Qatar Tribune and Marhaba. It covers more than 9,500 square metres and was launched by Trimoo Parks as the third indoor attraction it ran at Doha Festival City, alongside Angry Birds World and the gaming venue Virtuocity.

The concept was to bring Gulf identity into a snow park rather than copy an Alpine village. Instead of chalets you get dunes, Arabian motifs and a dhow-style rest area, all under snow guns that keep fresh snow falling through the day. Seven years on, the park is still running, with a refreshed ticket structure and weekly offers such as Snowy Tuesday, and it remains one of the few places in Qatar where you can play in real snow.

What to see and do

1. Dune Dash and the snow slides

   The main thrills are the slides. Dune Dash is the fastest, a steep run where riders pick up real speed, while the Snow Slide is a gentler option for younger children. Ticket sellers describe slides of around 50 metres in length. Expect a short climb back up between runs, which warms you up nicely.

2. White Dunes tubing

   White Dunes is the tubing run, where you sit in an inflatable ring and slide down the snow-covered dunes. It is the attraction that most clearly plays on the desert theme and is popular with mixed-age groups because parents and children can ride side by side.

3. Snow Ring skating

   The Snow Ring is the park’s ice skating area. Standard passes include one session. If you have never skated, go slowly and stick to the edges: it is a small rink and children move fast.

4. Snow Storm, Snow Motion and Snowy Mount

   Snow Storm, Snow Motion and Snowy Mount round out the rides and play areas. They are short, family-friendly experiences rather than big thrills, and are good for younger visitors who are not yet ready for Dune Dash. Climbing and spinning elements also appear in the attraction lists published by ticket sellers.

5. Free play in the snow

   For many children the best part is the simplest one: building a snowman, throwing snowballs and lying down to make snow angels. The snow guns keep the surface topped up, so there is plenty to play with. Leave time for this between rides.

6. The Sanbouk rest area

   The Sanbouk is the themed rest area, named after the sanbouk, a traditional Gulf dhow and a nod to Qatar’s pearling and seafaring past. It is where you will regroup, warm your hands and take photos.

Planning your session

Two hours sounds like a lot, but it goes quickly once you factor in changing. Allow 15 to 20 minutes at the start to collect and put on your gear, and another 10 minutes at the end to hand it back. That leaves roughly an hour and a half on the snow with a Regular pass.

A sensible order for families is: one run on the fast slides while everyone is excited, then tubing on White Dunes, then a skating session, then free play and photos. Younger children often get cold hands after 45 minutes or so, which is when a break in the Sanbouk area helps. Teenagers and adults who want repeat runs on Dune Dash will get more value from the Unlimited pass.

Most people are comfortable in the supplied jacket and trousers worn over normal clothes. Bring a light jumper for anyone who feels the cold, and avoid wearing cotton socks only, as wet feet are what usually ends a session early.

How to get there

Snow Dunes is inside Doha Festival City on Al Shamal Road in Umm Salal, about 24 km north of central Doha. Driving takes around 25 to 40 minutes from West Bay or Msheireb depending on traffic, all on fast, paved highway; you do not need a 4×4. Doha Festival City has large free car parks, and the IKEA store on the same site is a handy landmark.

There is no metro station at the mall itself, so a car, Karwa taxi or ride-hailing app is the easiest way to get there. If you want to use public transport, check the latest Mowasalat bus routes and any mall shuttle links before you set off.

Best time to visit

The park is open year-round. Ticket listings show these hours: Sunday to Wednesday 12pm to 10pm, Thursday 12pm to midnight, Friday 1pm to midnight and Saturday 10am to 10pm. Hours can change for Ramadan, Eid and school holidays.

• Best value: Tuesdays, when the park runs its Snowy Tuesday offer.
• Quietest: weekday afternoons during school term.
• Busiest: weekends, Eid and the summer holidays, when sessions can sell out.
• Season: the contrast is at its best from June to September, when the outdoor heat is at its peak.

Tickets and prices

The official website lists the Snowy Tuesday pass at QAR 89, a Regular Day Pass at QAR 149, an Unlimited Day Pass at QAR 199 and a VIP Day Pass at QAR 299. Ticket listings say the Regular pass gives two hours inside and includes a jacket and trousers or a long coat, boots, socks and gloves, a locker, one go on each of the main rides and one Snow Ring session. The Unlimited pass adds unlimited rides and more time. Children under three are not allowed in for safety reasons. Online tickets are generally non-refundable, so book once your plans are fixed.

Tips for your visit

• Book online for weekends and holidays; sessions are timed and can fill up.
• Bring thick socks and your own warm gloves if you have them, as they fit better than rental ones.
• Closed-toe shoes are required, and you will change into boots inside.
• Pack a full change of clothes for children: melted snow soaks through quickly.
• Do the fast slides first, while everyone is still keen and dry.
• Choose the Unlimited pass only if your children will happily stay in the cold for longer than two hours.
• Keep phones in an inner pocket; batteries drain quickly at minus 5°C.
• Food and drink are not included, so plan a meal in the mall afterwards.

What to bring

• Thick socks and warm gloves
• A hat or headband for ears
• A spare set of clothes for children
• Closed-toe shoes
• Lip balm and a small towel

Combine it with nearby places

Angry Birds World is in the same mall, with go-karts, a coaster, trampolines and arcades, which makes it easy to plan a whole day at Doha Festival City.

Barzan Towers are a pair of century-old watchtowers in Umm Salal Mohammed, a short drive away. Read our guide for the current access situation before you go.

Umm Salal Mohammed Fort is another nearby heritage stop; check current access before you go, and visit on a cooler winter afternoon.

Umm Salal Central Fish Market is Qatar’s main fish market, a lively stop for anyone curious about everyday local shopping.

Prefer a skating rink in town? Villaggio Mall has the Gondolania ice rink, and Doha Quest in Msheireb is the city’s big indoor theme park. For more ideas, see Qatar with kids.

Frequently asked questions

Last checked October 2026. Hours, fees and access can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.