The Ice Warrior Challenge is making a comeback to Ski Dubai

ski dubai people climbing up rope

A massive fitness challenge in the cold

Think you’ve got what it takes to conquer an obstacle course at -4°C? Well, it’s time to prove it because the Ice Warrior Challenge is back for its 17th edition, bringing one of the UAE’s most unique fitness events to Ski Dubai.

Organised in partnership with Dubai Sports Council, the annual challenge is happening on Sunday 20 September. This year’s edition celebrates resilience, teamwork and community, inviting participants from across the UAE to tackle an icy obstacle course together inside one of the best indoor ski resorts in the world.

Competitors will take on more than 20 snow-filled obstacles, including rope walls, ice pools, monkey bars, tyre runs and net crawls. Whether you’re aiming for a personal best, joining forces with colleagues or simply trying something completely different, there’s a challenge to suit every level of fitness.

How to enter The Ice Warrior Challenge

Last year’s event welcomed more than 560 participants representing 69 nationalities, highlighting the Ice Warrior Challenge’s growing appeal as one of the UAE’s most inclusive sporting events. If you’re tempted to prove yourself this year, all you have to do is register via Premier Online.

The challenge is open to anyone aged 15 to 60, with three categories available:

  • Elite – For experienced competitors targeting a finish time of under 25 minutes. Early Bird: AED250, Standard: AED280.
  • Individual – Suitable for all fitness levels looking to test themselves. Early Bird: AED200, Standard: AED250.
  • Teams – Groups of four to six can take on the course together, making it ideal for friends, families and corporate teams. Early Bird: AED185 per person, Standard: AED200 per person.

Early Bird registration is available until 15 August, with standard pricing starting from 16 August. Registration closes on 18 September.

Everyone who completes the course will receive a commemorative Ice Warrior medal and souvenir T-shirt after returning their timing chip.

What if you just want to watch?

New for this year is a Spectator Pass priced at AED50, giving family and friends access to a dedicated viewing area inside the snow, along with a complimentary hot drink while they cheer competitors on.

So if you prefer to let someone do the hard work while you sit back and relax, this one is for you.

From AED 200. Sunday, 20 September. For further information and to register, visit Premier Online.

Image credit Ski Dubai

Mariana Cerqueira

Mariana Cerqueira is an experienced journalist and editor, having worked in the media industry for over a decade. After completing a master’s in Magazine Journalism at City University London, she worked for some of the UK’s biggest lifestyle websites like woman&home and The Sun UK, until she moved to the UAE in 2024. Now Editor at Yalla Magazine, she brings her digital and journalistic expertise to the UAE capital, finding unique stories in Dubai and Abu Dhabi that help readers make the most of these beautiful cities. When she’s not obsessing over digital analytics or social media stats, she’s busy finding the hottest coffee shops or Pilates classes.