Latest news with #winterSports
Arab News
7 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Middle East's first professional ice rink to open in Dubai this year
DUBAI: The UAE's sporting scene is set for a major new addition with the opening later this year of the Emirates Sports Arena, the Middle East's first professional ice rink. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Set to open in September, the facility in Dubai Sports City aims to position Dubai as a hub for ice hockey, figure skating and other ice disciplines in the region. The arena, located next to the Emirates Sports Hotel and Apartments, marks a significant milestone in the UAE's sports infrastructure. The state-of-the-art venue will host professional games, international tournaments, training camps and community events. With seating for 600 spectators, the 10,000-square-meter facility has been built to meet the standards of North America's National Hockey League, including maintaining the temperature of the ice surface at between 16-18 degrees Celsius. Its state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems plus high-definition screens and range of dining options means it can also be used for figure skating competitions, concerts and other forms of entertainment. The arena's operators hope it will provide a base for nurturing grassroots winter sports across the UAE and neighboring countries. A dedicated winter sports academy will be established nearby, offering training programs for aspiring athletes, coaching clinics and youth development initiatives. The arena is a major boost to the UAE's previously limited provision of ice rinks, which comprised only smaller venues in Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain. A core element of the project is fostering inclusivity, with the arena featuring dedicated professional spaces for female athletes and coaches, aligning with broader initiatives to promote women's participation in sports. Special events, matches and tournaments for women and girls will be organized regularly, encouraging greater interest and engagement in winter sports disciplines. Vladimir Burdun, CEO of Emirates Sports Group, said: 'We believe that the opening of the first professional ice arena will revolutionize winter sports and hockey development in the Middle East. The Emiratis are showing growing interest in winter sports and this facility will support the national teams' growth and international competitiveness.' Burdun, who owns the Dubai Mighty Camels hockey team and has been instrumental in developing professional hockey in the UAE for more than two decades, said the new arena would be pivotal to the future growth of the sport. 'We are already in discussions with the UAE Winter Sports Federation to designate the arena as the official training base for the national figure skating and ice hockey teams in preparation for major world championships. Our goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem that nurtures talent from grassroots levels to international competitions,' he said. 'This arena is more than just a building. It's a catalyst for dreams, careers and regional sports excellence. We are proud to lead this transformative journey.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Incredible scenes days before slopes open
The ski season has started early with Australia's largest resort covered in fresh snowfall overnight. Less than two weeks ahead of its official opening, Perisher Ski Resort's seven peaks was covered by more than 10cm of snow as of 4pm on Tuesday. 'Overnight temps dropped to a fresh -3C and, combined with plenty of precipitation, Perisher is wearing some white this morning,' the resort said. 'We're stoked to have 10cm of fresh snow on the ground after a wild and windy 24 hours at Perisher. 'It's the perfect prelude to the season, and we're counting down the days until we're ripping in again.' The first snow of the season arrived in early and mid-May. Winter sport enthusiasts welcomed the woolly weather, hoping for more as Perisher's opening on June 7 – coinciding with the King's Birthday long weekend and three-day Peak Music Festival – gets closer. 'Please please please Mother Nature turn on the taps,' one wrote. 'Keep up the hard work ghosts of Perisher.' 'Keep it coming,' another said, while a third added: 'Love it'. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast a very high chance of snow showers across the day, expected to ease into the evening. A low of minus 4C is set to hit the slopes on Thursday.
CBC
24-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Whistler's Horstman Glacier closes to summer ski camps for the foreseeable future
It's being called the end of an era. The skiing and snowboarding community in Whistler is trying to come up with alternative ways to enjoy the winter sport during warmer months after being told summer camps can't operate on a popular glacier due to safety concerns. Michelle Morton reports.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Canadian women's ski jumping team hopes to continue to soar to new heights
Members of the Canadian women's ski jumping team took the first step to getting back on the hill Thursday.
Emirates 24/7
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Emirates 24/7
UAE proposes establishment of Gulf Skiing Federation
The United Arab Emirates proposed the establishment of a Gulf Skiing Federation during its participation in the annual meetings of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), held in Vilamoura, Portugal. The initiative aims to advance the development of winter sports in the Gulf region. The proposal received widespread support from FIS members, who welcomed the initiative and expressed their backing for the formation of the federation, recognising its promising potential to foster skiing across the Gulf countries. The UAE is participating in the meetings — which opened on May 5 and conclude tomorrow — through a delegation from the UAE Winter Sports Federation, as a full member of FIS since 2021. This membership has enabled the country to host the International Ski Championship for three consecutive years at Ski Dubai, with participation from over 48 countries. The FIS meetings also featured the second edition of the seminar titled "Bridging the Gaps: Building Inclusive Sports Leadership Together ", which emphasised biodiversity conservation as a key pillar of sustainability in sports. The seminar included representatives from 35 national federations, aligning with the UAE's commitment to supporting skiing sports both regionally and globally. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
