A Winter Wonderland in the Desert: Snow City, Al Othaim Mall
If you’re looking for a fun and unique family adventure in Riyadh, Snow City at Al Othaim Mall is a must-visit. As a family living in the desert, we couldn’t resist the idea of stepping into a winter wonderland for a couple of hours—and it did not disappoint!
A Personal, Exclusive Experience… We visited Snow City during a quiet time and had the entire park to ourselves, which made the experience feel intimate and extra special. Spending two hours surrounded by snow and engaging in a variety of activities turned out to be the perfect amount of time. At 169 SAR per person, I initially thought it was a little pricey for a family of four, but as we explored ride after ride, it became clear that the experience was worth every riyal.
Thrills for Everyone… Snow City has a great mix of activities for kids and adults alike. The rides and slides are not just for small children; they’re designed to be exciting and memorable for all ages. From tobogganing to riding rubber rings and even navigating a luge, every slide offered something new. My daughters especially loved the snow plough bumper cars and the snowmobiles—watching them zoom around with big smiles on their faces was a highlight for me.
Another standout activity was the climbing wall. Unlike a traditional rock wall, this one had handle-style grips, making it accessible to everyone. Reaching the top and rappelling down with the auto-belay was thrilling, and we all had multiple turns. It’s a little more physical than you might expect—climbing, crawling, and sliding keep you active—but that only added to the fun.
Impeccable Facilities… The attention to cleanliness and organization was impressive. Snow suits, boots, gloves, and helmets were provided and looked brand new. Even the socks they gave us were fresh out of the package! The changing rooms were spotless, and the equipment inside the park was clearly well-maintained. The snow itself was clean and fluffy—perfect for snowball fights and making snow angels.
Fantastic Staff and Service… The staff truly made our experience unforgettable. Because the park was empty, they gave us their full attention, ensuring we felt welcome, safe, and well looked after. They carefully explained the rules for each activity, especially the climbing wall, and their cheerful demeanor made the experience even more enjoyable. The kids felt especially special thanks to their kindness and encouragement.
A Unique Desert Escape… Snow City offers a unique escape from the desert heat. Playing in the snow, exploring the igloo maze, and having a snowball fight felt surreal—and so much fun. By the end of the two hours, we were all tired, exhilarated, and a little chilly, but we left with warm hearts and great memories.
Tips for Visiting… We recommend visiting during quieter times to fully enjoy the park without crowds. We’ve been during both the Christmas holidays and Ramadan, and both visits were equally peaceful. Look out for special offers during the year to save on ticket prices.
While 169 SAR per person might seem steep at first, the exclusive feel, pristine facilities, and variety of activities made it worthwhile. For us, two hours was just the right amount of time before toes started freezing!
Final Thoughts… Snow City is perfect for families with kids around 8-11 years old, but adults will have plenty of fun too. It’s an active, exhilarating experience that offers something rare and special in Riyadh—a chance to play in the snow in the middle of the desert.
We walked away with a shared family memory that we’ll cherish for years. For anyone looking for a fun, active, and memorable day out, Snow City is a winter wonderland...
Read moreWe reached their at 2 pm on sunday and there was no queue, we purchased card and went inside to take clothes, helmet, gloves etc then entered the main snow area by swapping card. There was only single family inside at that time.
My daughter two and half years old had loose shoes, so she was not able to walk properly. She was also feeling cold even after wearing the dress given by them. So, after a while my wife and daughter went outside and I and my elder daughter were inside.
There were multiple activities to do inside, like sliding down in a tube, dodging car, snow house to play hide n seek, a large slide which needs a board to sleep on and slide into the snow and more.
The snow looks like the ice used with salt that doesn't melt easily, so whenever we tried to make snow man, we couldn't as snow was not combing together. The weather was too cold inside however the outside temperature was around 44 degree.
The Othaim mall has multiple activities for children, two complete floors contain rides and...
Read morePerfect getaway if you want to bring your kids somewhere new. They get to experience how ice && snow feels like 😅 everywhere is ❄️ upon entry they give you suit, boots, socks & gloves w/ helmets too. Price was 169 which was a bit pricey but considering the maintenance of the place it is okay. They have lots of activities inside like slides and snow motor snow balls etc. i’m just a bit disappointed with the pair of boots they gave me it was already in a bad condition, too bad I didn’t take a pic, I returned it but they just gave me the same old wrecked boots 😭 so decided to just go with. And the suit was actually smelling f I just sprayed alcohol and ignored it as it was the weekend so I didn’t bother much. I know it was a bit crowded but still the staff & managements should take this matter seriously!! And take note that it is super slipper inside 😅 so take care. Overall it was a fun experience just some matter has to...
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