Saudi Arabia’s ‘ski resort in the desert’ in race against time for winter games

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A mock-up of Trojena, showing many ski runs lacing together over a mountain top. The image was created from a high vantage point, so the viewer can get an almost-bird's eye view of the slopes.

The project has met such substantial woes that the country is even reportedly in talks to relocate the 2029 Asian Winter Games (Picture: NEOM)

Saudi Arabia’s plans to build a futuristic mountain ski resort in the desert are facing uncertainty.

The 2029 Asian Winter Games were initially planned to be hosted in Trojena, a high-altitude resort in the Kingdom’s planned megacity of NEOM.

It was meant to feature 30km of ski runs and artificial snow pumped from the Gulf of Aqaba, 200km away.

Saudi Arabia announced in 2022 that it had won the right to host the Winter Games – raising eyebrows over the logistics of creating a winter ski resort in the desert.

However, the project has grappled with construction difficulties, meaning it may not be completed in time, the FT reports – though authorities insist the works are running on schedule.

Saudi Arabia and the Olympic Council of Asia are thought to have have begun informal talks with other countries to potentially take over the 2029 Games.

What is NEOM?

Trojena is located within Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia's 'ski resort in the desert' in race against time for winter games

NEOM will be located on the coast of the Red Sea (Picture: Metro Graphics)

Trojena, a futuristic ski resort planned for the city of NEOM, was dubbed ‘the new global destination for mountain tourism’ in 2022.

It is located high in the mountainous Tabuk region in the north of Saudi Arabia.

The NEOM project was announced by crown prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 and it’s expected to cost more than $8.8trillion.

The 26,500sq km development is set to feature the Trojena ski village, The Line ‘smart city’ which could house nine million people, the Neom Bay Airport, the Oxagon floating industrial complex, the Sindalah luxury resort complex, and 6,500 hectares of agricultural land farming genetically engineered crops.

What problems is NEOM facing?

Being chosen to host the 2029 games has set a hard deadline for Trojena’s construction – and it’s not clear whether this will be met.

Several sources told the Financial Times that Saudi Arabia is ‘struggling’ to deliver the huge project.

Potential pitfalls include the plans to fill a huge artificial lake at the centre of the resort which would provide water to create artificial snow for the ski runs.

A mock-up of a series of buildings built into the mountain range, constructed in organic, flowing shapes that look like waves.

Trojena was billed as a project that would ‘redefine mountain tourism’ (Picture: NEOM)

Using a pipe of one metre diameter as currently planned means the lake could take at least two years to fill.

The site also faces logistical challenges due to the mountainous terrain, with only one road accessing the area.

A source familiar with the project told the Telegraph: ‘The difficulties have been magnified by the schedule imposed on the project.’

The NEOM project has faced significant criticism since it was announced over its treatment of workers, local people, and environmental concerns.

Human Rights Watch found that ‘scores’ of migrant workers have died in ‘gruesome yet avoidable workplace-related accidents’ in Saudi Arabia, both on the NEOM project and others including preparation to host the 2034 World Cup.

Mock-up of ski runs in Trojena, showing two snow-covered runs coveging to one point.

Uncertainty looms over Saudi Arabia’s plans to build a high-tech mountain ski resort in the middle of the desert (Picture: NEOM)

The treatment of workers has also drawn concern, with NEOM Chief Executive Nadhmi al-Nasr recorded as saying during a meeting: ‘I drive everybody like a slave. When they drop down dead, I celebrate. That’s now I do my projects.’

Tribes such as the Howeitat people, who are native to the area, were reportedly forcibly evicted from their homeland to make way for the development. It’s thought up to 20,000 people were forced to leave.

And environmental concerns have been raised about the impact of high temperatures upon the artificial ski resort, the amount of energy required to keep Trojena running, and local water sources being diverted to the site.

Which countries could host the games instead?

A mock-up of Trojena, showing an angular body of water nestled between the mountain tops, like a large, sculptural lake.

Trojena is also projected to include a man-made freshwater lake (Picture: NEOM)

Olympic organisers have reportedly approached both South Korea and China about the possibility of stepping in to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.

South Korea hosted the Winter Olympics in 2018, with China hosting them in 2022 and the Asian Winter Games earlier this year.

The Olympic Council of Asia contacted the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee last week about the possibility of hosting.

When asked about delays to the Trojena project, a spokesperson for NEOM said: ‘NEOM and the local organising committee are working in close coordination with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee.

‘Any further questions on the Asian Winter Games should be directed to the OCA.’

The Kuwait-based OCA denied the Trojena plan was facing delays, saying on Sunday it was ‘pleased with the strong progress being made, as we closely monitor the on-schedule work from the local organising committee’.

The statement added: ‘We appreciate the bold ambition of the venue and the opportunities it will create as a new winter sports destination serving the future of sport in Asia.’

A version of this article was first published on August 22, 2025

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