Trojena, Neom’s next-gen ski resort, opening in 2026, brings luxury and snow together in Saudi Arabia’s desert mountains. The most surreal development of the 21st century combines high-tech advanced engineering, artificial snow, and global tourism at altitudes exceeding 2,600 meters.
Part of the $500 billion NEOM megacity, Trojena, a futuristic ski resort, faces challenges and hurdles for its boldest construction. Designed to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, Trojena becomes a futuristic mountain destination.
Trojena: Saudi Arabia’s Most Surreal Project
The master plan consists of six mega clusters – fun, relax, valley, gateway, explore, and discover, which include luxury hotels, relaxing amenities, sightseeing viewpoints, vertical village, a 2.8-kilometre man-made freshwater lake, and 30 kilometres of ski slopes.
Located in the Sarawat Mountains of northwestern Saudi Arabia, the higher altitude provides cooler temperatures, but snowfall is minimal. The notion was to create a permanent winter spot in the desert land as the cornerstone philosophy for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, reshaping the global image with a strategic move to diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on oil.
NEOM’s Vision for Trojena
The program includes diverse facilities and amenities to provide global luxury and sustainable buildings that foster human creativity, high-tech technology, and immersive experience.
Ski Slopes: Built on existing mountains with rooftop resorts, supported by an advanced system of artificial snow.
Man-Made Freshwater Lake: The excavation of 3 million m³ has been completed, and the team is building a fresh freshwater lake that spans around 2.8 km
The Vault (Vertical Village): A mixed-use tower features hotels in collaboration with luxury brands like Ritz-Carlton, Anantara, and others, residences, a 3000 seating capacity amphitheatre, restaurants, and retail shops, and is glass-covered for captivating views.
Tourist Activities: A retreat place for experiencing life, stargazing, hiking, mountain biking, and wellness retreats.
Key Challenges and Concerns
Environmental Feasibility and Sustainability: The dependence on artificial snow is the most challenging part of the project, and it raises concerns for ecological disruption. Pumping desalinated water from the Red Sea up to the mountain plateau is a complex, energy-intensive process that raises questions about the project’s long-term environmental footprint.
Engineering and Construction Complexities: Building at a higher altitude is an engineering marvel, but also a nightmare. The vertical village requires advanced engineering solutions, and progress has been made, as evident in the satellite imagery showing work on roads and tunnels.
Financial and Logistical Pressures: With an estimated cost of around $19 billion, Trojena is a major financial commitment. It raises concerns about whether Trojena can meet its deadlines without compromising the original vision.
Miracle of human engineering
Trojena represents Saudi Arabia’s global presence in tourism, innovation, and ambitious transformation from a desert nation to a power of building the unimaginable. As the 2029 Asian Winter Games draw closer, the pressure and challenges of this project are tested with time to make it a reality.
