A ski jumper, accelerating at speeds of up to 100 km/h, soars through the ice-cold air of the Jebel Hafeet Glacier, a solar powered indoor ski slope and 120 metre high jump in the desert.
A solar powered indoor ski slope in the desert is more than 2km from a peak hotel to ski village at the base. Two long runs formed like bows on either side are connected by two elements allowing for multiple choices for skiing styles and abilities. The slope is a continuous smooth object, like a glacier, gently navigating the rough surface of the mountain slope.
From the panoramic restaurant on top of the ski jump to bars and viewing areas at the bottom of the jumping-hill, the visitor witnesses the most breathtaking of wintersports, the ski jump. The slope has an overall height of 600 metres and the ski jump is 120 metres high - the first ski jump of its size situated indoors. Due to this unique circumstance this dynamic sport at Jebel Hafeet will be a competitive situation, as there are no wind or climatic changes. The ski jumper faces the perfect condition. This design of pistes and ski jump enables it to host major FIS competitive sporting events, from jumps to freestyle aerials, from slalom to moguls and half-pipe. It offers year-round training camps to racing teams.
The flowing curves of the slope and jump’s dynamic design represent the sport as well as the architectural challenge that a building of this size and functionalities incorporates. They connect the bottom to the top, the earth to the sky above and allow a perpetual experience of height and depth.
