It’s possible to ski on sand, and it’s really enjoyable. In the Middle East, Peru, Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Germany are among the many spectacular sand skiing locations where you may have incredible sand skiing trips.
You can explore the areas that offer skiing activities in advance and take a guided tour (preferred for novices). You may also opt to ski on your own.
Sand skiing is becoming increasingly popular. People no longer go to the snowy mountain slopes to ski; instead, they visit the desert to sled down dunes.
Can You Ski in the Desert
Do you live in a place where there isn’t any snow and it’s too hot to ski? Don’t worry, because you can definitely go sand skiing. Although enthusiasts typically head to snowy slopes, ice and snow-free deserts and dunes are accessible.
Sand skiing employs the same rules as ice skiing. The primary distinction is that you will be gliding down a sand dune (as opposed to snow) using skis and ski poles.
With the increasing appeal of the sport, there are now many ski clubs and businesses all around the world that offer visitors stunning views of desert dunes.
Can You Ski Down a Sand Dune
You can almost certainly ski down a sand dune. You may either go on a trek to the top or use a 4-wheel drive to get there quickly and ski down a sand dune.
Sand dunes are formed by the wind and develop as more sand is added to them. Some dunes reach such tremendous heights (as high as thousands of feet above sea level) that they may take hours to descend.
Where Can You Sand Ski
If you’re interested in trying sand skiing but don’t know where to begin or where to go, here are a few of the world’s finest sand skiing locations.
- In Dubai, go to the Middle East: If you’re unsure where to go for your first sand skiing excursion, head to the Middle East, where sandy wastelands stretch for miles and miles. As sand skiing becomes more popular and well-known, more businesses offering desert ski trips in Dubai are springing up.
- The Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado is home to some of the world’s tallest sand dunes. The Great Sand Dunes ranks among the top nature reserves in North America, with an area of more than 5,000 hectares (more than 13 square miles).
- Cerro Blanco in Peru is a high sand dune that has been dubbed the world’s tallest (at 7,000 feet above sea level!!!). It also provides an unrivaled sand skiing experience. Your ski down covers up to a half-mile in length due to its height. However, there is no ski lift in the region, so if you want to go skiing down, you’ll have to trek a long distance up first.
- In Peru, Huacachina is located in the arid desert of Southern Peru and offers more than just a glimpse of Machu Picchu. If you want to do more in Peru than visit Machu Picchu, visit Huacachina. Huacachina’s dunes extend for miles and acres, with the Pacific Ocean lapping at their edges. You don’t have to trek to the top since there are lots of companies that rent out dune buggy and 4WD vehicles.
- The Sahara Desert in Algeria: The Sahara Desert is home to some of the world’s best sand skiing. Downhill skiing through these stunning vistas is breathtaking, but getting back up may be difficult because there are still no ski lifts.
- The Namib Desert in Namibia: Although there is no snow in Namibia for ice skiers, the world’s oldest desert provides outstanding dune skiing opportunities. Sand skiing is rather popular in Namibia, and there are now a lot of tourism firms that provide guided excursions.
- In Germany, Monte Kaolino: Sand skiing and snowboarding are both offered on this 120-meter hill. The Sandboarding World Championships are also held here.
Does Sand Skiing Ruin Skis?
Sand does not ruin the base of your skis. Instead, skiing on sand cleans up the bases. However, because skiing may dull the edges of your ski, you may want to sharpen them after each trip. Waxing before going out is also recommended.
If you’re not averse to skiing on sand, renting or purchasing your own sand skis are two alternative options.
