Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

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Mall of the Emirates is famous for its indoor ski slope. I understand that there is now one in Qatar too, so I suppose that it is no longer all that novel. If you are from a country with hefty amounts of snow, the ski slope is interesting for a few moments, but then you remember how peaceful and beautiful snow is when it's outdoors, and you move on. The Mall itself is not nearly as impressive as Dubai Mall, and is slightly less as extravagant as its sister under Burj Khalifa. It does, however, benefit from a number of good restaurants, particularly the Lebanese one that serves a wonderful breakfast.

Mall of the Emirates is probably the most famous mall in Dubai. Dozens of shops where the major international chains are represented.

Apart from many bars and restaurants, as well as a muti-hall cinema, the mall is famous for holding a big ski indoor pist. Curious at least to see it.

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I think the largest mall in Dubai, suitably impressive with an internal ski slope with real snow, cinemas, a carrefour and an abundance of shops selling everything you could want (apart from a Mac shop, have to go to Ibn Battuta for that).

The ski pass for the internal slope was 95AED whilst I was there, which as of May 2007 was about 12 British Pounds. You also get provided with all your warm clothes to be inside the giant freezer that is Ski Dubai - I myself have an irrational fear of skiing so I didn't go in and test it out, but it did look like they were having a good time in there.

Even in the parking lot they have people to come and wash your car for you whilst your shopping, it is fairly impressive stuff, they also have a hotel attached to the mall - but don't tell the misses about that one eh?

Luckily the mall provides you with a map, so you have some chance of making it back out before retirement, but as the prices are quite a bit lower (for me anyway) than at home, there is a very strong temptation to buy lots of stuff, i.e. the more you spend the more you save, you can also claim tax back on certain products if you are a foreigner.