The ski resort in the middle of the desert 'throwing a spanner' into a £1.5tn plan

By John Varga, World News Reporter

The resort will host the Asian Winter Games in 2029 (Image: Neom)

Saudi Arabia is scrambling to ensure it is ready to host the Asian Winter Games in 2029. The government is pushing ahead with plans to build a ski resort in the heart of the hot and dry Middle Eastern desert.  

Trojena resort is part of the planned megacity of Neom - an ambitious construction project that is now estimated to cost a whopping US$1.5 trillion (£1.1trillion), triple its initial price tag. It is being constructed on the mountain of Jebel al Lawz at altitudes up to 2,600 meters above sea level. According to promotional literature, it is set to "redefine luxury mountain living and hospitality while becoming a world-class centre for winter sports and adventure."

Trojena is set to 'redefine luxury mountain living' (Image: Neom)

It is estimated to cost the Saudi government US$19 billion (£14.1bn) and was scheduled to be completed by 2026. However, reports suggest that the construction project is experiencing considerable technical challenges and is falling behind schedule.

Engineers are reportedly struggling to devise a workable system of pumping water up the mountain to an artificial lake. The lake will store water used by snow making machines to ensure the pistes have enough snow on them.

Meanwhile, the high altitude and the complex topography are also causing significant construction difficulties.

Some observers fear the project will not be completed in time and that the Winter Games might have to be moved. Saudi Arabia's government, though, insists that all is going according to plan.

Trojena is an ambitious undertaking (Image: Neom)

“The development of Neom, including Trojena, is progressing according to a phased plan that emphasizes international standards, long-term sustainability and legacy outcomes,” officials said in a statement to Bloomberg.

“Work on Trojena, Neom’s year-round mountain destination, continues.”

When complete, the resort will have over 30 kilometres of pistes and feature multiple hotels. The mountain retreat will also feature a golf course, as well as an array of restaurants and boutiques.