Saudi Arabia Seeks Snow Experts: Skiing Arrives in the Desert

What just a decade ago seemed an eccentricity is now taking shape with structure and planning. Saudi Arabia, the country that surprised the world by announcing it would host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, is making steady progress toward its goal of becoming a premier skiing destination… in the middle of the desert.

Last week, the Andorran company Pas Grau Internacional (PGI) —a subsidiary of SAETDE, one of Grandvalira's two management companies— published a job offer in France seeking a very specific profile: an expert in the mountain and snow sector with experience in ski slope and infrastructure management. One of the key destinations for this professional will be, none other than, Saudi Arabia.

How is skiing possible in Saudi Arabia?

Although it seems a paradox, Saudi Arabia has a mountain range in the northwest of the country where altitudes exceed 3,000 meters. During the winter months, temperatures frequently drop below zero and, occasionally, it even snows. But this is not enough for an event of the magnitude of an Asian Games.

Therefore, the solution involves creating a ski resort from scratch, fed by artificial snow. The project includes an artificial lake to serve as a water reserve, fed with desalinated seawater using sustainable technologies powered by renewable energy. Additionally, hotels, restaurants, and energy efficiency and water management systems are being planned to create a high-level tourist environment.

The design of this ambitious infrastructure is being led by Spanish architect Ignacio Gómez, based in Dubai. The forecast is for the first facilities to be operational by January 2027, allowing for a two-year run-up before the Games.

A Project Seeking Leaders

The position offered by PGI is key to the project's operations: technical supervision, team coordination, and liaison with public and private investors in the country. A minimum of 5 years of experience in ski resorts is required, along with expertise in areas such as ski lifts, artificial snow, and slope safety, as well as high availability for international assignments in destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Central Asia, Andorra, and Argentina.

The position is permanent, with competitive remuneration and included health benefits, and represents a unique opportunity to be part of one of the most ambitious developments in recent skiing history.

PGI and the Global Future of Snow

This move is not isolated. PGI has also recently signed an agreement with the government of Kazakhstan for the development of a new ski resort in the country, an operation led by its CEO, Joan Viladomat. With over 60 years of experience in Andorra, the consulting firm seeks to position itself as an international benchmark in the design, development, and operation of mountain destinations.

What is happening in Saudi Arabia not only challenges our idea of where one can ski but also opens a new chapter in the globalization of snow tourism. The mountain no longer acknowledges latitudes.