5 places in the Middle East where winter is coming
“THE ALBORZ MOUNTAINS BEYOND TEHRAN”
You don’t need to head for the Alps to have a wintry holiday. Here are some options right in our own backyard.
The Middle East and toasty climates tend to go hand-in-hand, but by planning a trip just right you can find snow in some unlikely places – you may even see a snow-covered sand dune.
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
When to go: November-February
The striking rock formations and desert expanse of Tabuk may be scorching under the summer sun, but in winter the kingdom’s northern gateway offers a sight to behold. The region lies along the Red Sea and its vibrant coral reefs, but more unusual is the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Hike the steep Wadi Al-Akhdar or dress in layers to explore the prehistoric rock-art found in Wadi Damm, both arid and cold. In the Hejaz mountain range, brush the snowfall away to read ancient Arabic inscriptions carved into the stone.
- Mount Lebanon, Lebanon – MZAAR SKI RESORT IN LEBANON
When to go: December-March
Some of the best skiing in the Middle East can be found at 2,500m above sea level on Mount Lebanon. Tucked in among the Cedars of God – groves of vast and ancient Lebanon cedar trees – is Mzaar Ski Resort (tickets from AED 60), boasting more than a dozen lifts to 80km of ski runs. With wide, gentle slopes Mzaar is ideal for beginners, but more advanced skiers can hire guides to set off on off-piste adventures. After a strenuous morning, join the vibrant après scene that’s as memorable as the slopes. And don’t miss the nearby Kfardebian natural bridge, which spans more than 30m across the frothy white “Yogurt River”.
- Alborz Mountains, Iran
When to go: December-May
A two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Tehran, rising from the Caspian Sea, lies the Alborz mountain range. Dusted with bright white snow, it’s a winter wonderland for travellers who arrive from December to May. The country’s biggest ski resort, Dizin (tickets from AED 73), is Iran’s answer to Aspen with a trail drop of 900m and a ski lift that reaches 3,600m – one of the highest in the world. Thanks to its high altitude, it benefits from a longer ski season than its European counterparts, and the drier air makes for champagne powder. It’s the ideal spot to squeeze in one final ski trip after the Alps have shut for the season.
- Wadi Rum, Jordan
When to go: January-February
Think of Wadi Rum and the image conjured up is of red sands across spectacular valleys and canyons. But come winter, it’s not unusual to witness snowfall in these parts. From December to February, temperatures plummet to freezing, bringing a mix of rain and snow. If it’s a snowball fight you’re after, it’s best to venture out early in the morning, before the sun is high in the sky, to find a desert sprinkled with snow and white-capped mountains. Long a summer playground for rock climbers and adventurers, in winter the snowflake-dusted destination is as unusual as it is appealing for an alternative cold-weather escape.
- Al Hajar Mountains, Oman & UAE
When to go: January-February
Extending from north-eastern Oman to the eastern UAE, the Hajar mountain range’s picturesque scenery courses for hundreds of miles along verdant terraced slopes and moon-like landscapes. In the summer, this mountainous area offers the ideal escape with temperatures as much as 15°C cooler than at sea level. When scaling the heights of Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams in Oman, where the change in climate is most drastic, lucky mountaineers may encounter thick blankets of snow in January or February. While snowfall may not be regular – or predictable – sub-zero temperatures are not unheard of, and in the Emirates, Ras Al Khaimah’s rugged Jebel Jais was enveloped in snow just last year.
