Rising early on a Sunday morning while much of Dubai still enjoyed their weekend rest felt unique, especially as I was on my way to an event promising both excitement and fatigue.
At 6:30 am on September 14, Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates transformed into a frosty battleground for the 16th Ice Warrior Challenge.
This event, organized by Ski Dubai in collaboration with the Dubai Sports Council, is among the city’s most distinct sporting adventures. We faced over 20 intense obstacles, from rope walls and tire runs to icy pools and monkey bars.
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The atmosphere was electric from the beginning. Event staff distributed badges and snow gear while the Ski Dubai team motivated participants with energy that pierced the morning chill. When the crew shouted “Are you ready?” and the gates opened, a gust of cold air hit my face, reminding me that this was not your average race in Dubai.
The challenges began almost instantly — climbing a small snow hill with flakes brushing my face. It became a whirlwind of snow push-ups, crawling under a Jetour car, tackling a slippery path, and scaling a wall that tested both strength and balance. Just when I thought the toughest part was over, the course led us into a pool of icy water that took my breath away. Each obstacle pushed my limits, yet the finish line drew me forward with every step.
Crossing the finish line, I was greeted with cheers from the staff and fellow participants, wearing a medal that felt truly earned. The Ice Warrior Challenge is less about speed and more about resilience — something you only understand when your muscles ache but adrenaline pushes you onward.
Waad Barakat
I wasn’t alone in this adventure. Among those lined up at the start was Hungarian expat Dr. Peter Markotanyos, trying the challenge for the first time. “Back home I never really liked the snow, but here I am excited to take it on,” he said, adjusting his gear. Beside him was his trainer, Hazim Zziwa, a Ugandan who has lived in the UAE for 12 years and was on his fourth run. For him, the event is more than just fun. “There’s something about training in the ice and pushing yourself. Nothing else is like it,” he explained.
Last year’s edition featured over 600 participants from 70 countries, and this year maintained the same diversity and spirit. Since 2010, Ski Dubai has been hosting the Ice Warrior Challenge, growing it into one of Dubai’s renowned endurance events. Open to men and women aged 15 to 60, it continues to attract everyone from newcomers seeking new experiences to seasoned athletes craving tougher challenges.
As for me, the Ice Warrior medal now hangs as a reminder that sometimes the coolest way to start a Sunday morning in the desert is by diving into snow.
