Learn the tricks of the trade from the world's best boarders

Dubai 9th August 2007: Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East, is offering avid snowboarders the opportunity to grab some air, slide rails and carve their way through summer on the Burton snowboarding camp.

This exclusive five-day camp, running from the 26 to 30th of August, will be conducted by Ski Dubai's qualified snowboard instructors and reinforced with invaluable tips from professional Burton riders Gigi Ruf and Sani Alibabic who were involved in the camp last year, plus an additional rider Keir Dillon.

"Burton, the largest manufacturer of snowboards and related goods, is a legend in world of snowboarding and we are delighted to welcome them back to Ski Dubai for a second year. The Burton Global team is well known around the world as ambassadors for the sport and the fact that they are returning to Dubai illustrates the growing boarding culture in the middle-east", said Fuad Al Najjar, General Manager, Ski Dubai.

The returning duo of Ruf and Alibabic said that they are really looking forward to hitting the slopes in Dubai, after their fantastic experience last year. Ruf is one of the most highly regarded and well-travelled members of the Burton Global team. His creative style has set new standards in the shift of park freestyle onto next-level big mountain aspects and last season he was named amongst SNOWBOARDER Magazine's Top Ten Riders of the Year, securing spot seven. Alibabic is known for his unique style, and impresses everybody in any terrain, from powder and rails to pipe and park. He had an incredible season last year with a top-five finish at the Nokia Air & Style and took 1st place for the slope style at the Austrian Masters.

Joining Ruf and Alibabic in Dubai will be Dillon. Dillon's reputation as a crowd favourite and master showman is well deserved and he has firmly established himself as a worldwide ambassador for the sport. All riders have recently filmed some standout video segments for the Absinthe film crews

Al Najjar added: "Burton's team includes many of the world's best snowboarders. They are well-known for their unique style and are recognised leaders in the field for anything from half pipes and rail jams to slope style contests. They have opened a window of opportunity for snowboard enthusiasts at Ski Dubai to develop their skills and learn new tricks."

On the final day of the camp, all participants can take part in a 3-hour freestyle session which includes a warm up with the pro's and a competition where participants get the chance to show off their new skills and compete for some fantastic prizes.

The Burton snowboarding camps are open to kids, teens and adults and are supported by the Kempinski Hotel and Sezzam.

-Ends-

About Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. It is located inside the Mall of the Emirates, the latest development from MAF Shopping Malls. Ski Dubai offers an amazing indoor snow setting that offers visitors superb skiing, snowboarding, and tobogganing. They also have the option to just play in the snow. Young or old, there is something for everyone, from the beginner to the snow sport enthusiast. Ski Dubai is a unique mountain-themed attraction that offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy real snow in Dubai all year round.

Ski Dubai offers the ideal conditions for skiing and snowboarding, with a choice of five runs, as well as a 3000 sq m. snow park with tobogganing, a twin track bobsled ride and tubing, among other activities.  For those who have not experienced winter sports, or who want to brush up their skills, Ski Dubai's Snow School offers guests the opportunity to learn skills suitable for all ages and abilities from beginners to experienced skiers and snowboarders. visit www.skidxb.com

For additional press information kindly contact:
Claire Parker
Jamal Al Mawed
Promoseven Weber Shandwick Dubai
Tel:  +971 4 321 0077
Fax: +971 4 321 1711
E-mail: claire.parker@promoseven.com
E-mail:  jamal.almawed@promoseven.com 

© Press Release 2007