One of the world’s fastest-growing fitness competitions is heading to an unlikely venue, an indoor ski slope in the middle of the desert.
Ski Dubai, which is home to the Middle East’s first indoor black diamond run, is set to host a Hyrox event on snow.
On June 28, in partnership with Dubai Sports Council and Athlete Fitness, an official Hyrox training partner, athletes will have the opportunity to test their limits in the 24°F (-1°C), climate-controlled ski area.
Hyrox was founded in 2017 by Olympic field hockey champion Moritz Fürste and entrepreneur Christian Toetzke in Germany and has since grown into one of the world’s fastest-growing fitness racing formats. The competition combines eight 1-kilometer runs with grueling workout stations featuring movements such as sled pushes, sled pulls, rowing, farmer carries, and wall balls. Unlike CrossFit competitions or traditional obstacle races, Hyrox follows a standardized format at every event worldwide, allowing athletes to compare performances across cities and countries.
Adding a spin to the already popular sport, Ski Dubai has decided to shake things up by having an event on snow. Open to men and women ages 18 to 60, participants will move through the workout in teams of two while battling the movements and environment. Because Ski Dubai’s version is taking place on snow in an altered format, it will not be recognized on the official Hyrox calendar. A spokesperson from Athlete Fitness called it a “once-in-a-lifetime event,” where the classic hyrox format is going to take place in a new environment.
Hyrox made its debut in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2025 and has quickly gained popularity in the region. The inaugural Abu Dhabi race drew over 3,500 participants, establishing the Emirate as a key stop on the official Hyrox calendar. Combining a sport on the rise with an already popular destination in the desert, the collaboration brings together like-minded individuals who value progression in sport.
Ski Dubai features five separate ski slopes over 22,500 square meters of skiing. The ski area’s longest run is 400 meters, and the surface also includes a terrain park for those looking to improve their freestyle skills.
Registration for the Hyrox event at Ski Dubai is still open on Premieronline.com.
