Trojena: Saudi Arabia’s Bold Plan to Host the 2029 Asian Winter Games in the Desert
Saudi Arabia aims to redefine winter sports by hosting the 2029 Asian Winter Games at Trojena, a sustainable ski resort in the NEOM megacity.
Saudi Arabia is poised to make history by hosting the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Trojena, an ambitious, futuristic ski resort located in the desert region of the NEOM megacity. This unprecedented event represents a transformative vision for sport, tourism, and sustainability in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia Enters the Winter Games Arena
On October 4, 2022, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) awarded hosting rights for the 2029 Asian Winter Games to Saudi Arabia. The Games will be held in Trojena, a mountainous section of the NEOM project in northwest Saudi Arabia, making it the first West Asian and first Middle Eastern country to host this cold-weather sporting event.
This decision reflects Saudi Arabia’s drive to expand its influence in global sports and showcase its rapidly growing infrastructure and technological prowess. The event is significant for the region and for the global sporting community, marking an ambitious leap beyond the Games’ traditional East and Central Asian hosts.
Introducing Trojena: The Heart of NEOM’s Vision
The Games’ venue, Trojena, sits at an elevation of approximately 2,600 meters above sea level, making it one of the few areas in Saudi Arabia with winter conditions suitable for skiing and snowboarding. Trojena is not just a ski destination; it’s a core component of NEOM—a planned $500 billion futuristic city emphasizing sustainability, ecological tourism, and advanced urban living.
NEOM is widely regarded as the flagship of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the Kingdom’s economy away from oil dependence and promote high-tech, sustainable development in the region.
Why Trojena? Geographic and Climatic Rationale
- Climate: Trojena experiences winter temperatures as low as -5°C, with a natural snowfall period that may last up to three months each year.
- Elevation: Located on a mountain ridge, Trojena benefits from temperatures that are on average 10°C cooler than surrounding areas, allowing for natural and artificial snow-making capabilities.
- Accessibility: Although remote relative to major cities, Trojena is part of the megacity NEOM and will be serviced by state-of-the-art transport and hospitality infrastructure upon the project’s completion.
Although the majority of Saudi Arabia features searing desert heat, the microclimate of Trojena offers an environment where winter sports can be staged with a combination of natural and artificial snow. Snowmaking technology—and potential indoor facilities—will ensure that competition standards are met.
The Promise and Perils of Hosting in a Desert
Saudi Arabia’s plan to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games in a desert climate has sparked both admiration and criticism globally:
- Innovation: The project represents a breakthrough in the region’s approach to sports and entertainment, potentially inspiring similar ventures elsewhere.
- Cultural Shift: For a nation traditionally associated with desert and heat, staging a major winter sports event marks a symbolic shift in the country’s global image.
- Technological Challenge: Building a winter sports hub in an arid environment presents significant logistical and engineering hurdles, particularly around snow production, water use, and energy efficiency.
- Environmental Concerns: Critics question the sustainability of producing large quantities of artificial snow in a desert region, the potential strain on scarce water resources, and the true ecological impact of such a large-scale, high-energy project.
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The NEOM Megacity: Background and Broader Vision
NEOM is planned as a 26,500 square kilometer zone along the Red Sea, aimed at integrating technology, sustainability, and livability in unprecedented ways. Its core promises include:
- Urban development that is fully powered by renewable energy
- Extensive environmental restoration and conservation projects
- World-class tourism, sports, and entertainment facilities
- Smart city planning with artificial intelligence and high-speed transportation
Trojena is one of NEOM’s sub-regions, envisioned as a year-round destination for both winter and mountain tourism, with planned resorts, luxury housing, leisure infrastructure, and sustainable amenities.
NEOM’s Social and Economic Objectives
- Diversifying the Economy: The project aims to reduce Saudi Arabia’s reliance on oil by developing tourism, high-tech industry, and global events.
- Job Creation: Large-scale construction, event hosting, and hospitality services are expected to generate thousands of jobs for Saudis and international workers.
- Global Reputation: NEOM and Trojena’s success is central to boosting Saudi Arabia’s image as a forward-thinking, globally relevant nation.
Trojena’s Master Plan and Features
Trojena’s development is set for completion by 2026, just in time for the Games’ preparation and rehearsals. Planned features include:
- Year-Round Ski and Snow Sports: Both outdoor and indoor facilities for skiing, snowboarding, and ice sports.
- Luxury Accommodations: Multiple high-end resorts and hotels, spas, and wellness centers.
- Event Venues: Olympic-grade ice arenas, snow parks, and multi-purpose event spaces capable of hosting international competitions.
- Eco-Tourism: Activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and star-gazing, integrated with the mountainous desert landscape.
- Smart Infrastructure: Environmentally optimized energy, water, and transportation systems.
- Artificial Snow Production: Large-scale deployment of snowmaking equipment to supplement natural snowfall.
The project leaders aim to blend cutting-edge technology with the area’s natural surroundings, using sustainable materials and eco-friendly practices wherever possible.
Sustainability and Environmental Controversy
Sustainability lies at the heart of NEOM’s promise, but the Trojena ski resort faces pointed scrutiny:
- Water Use: Artificial snow making is highly water-intensive, raising questions about the wisdom of such consumption in a region already facing water scarcity.
- Energy Demand: Maintaining sub-zero environments and powering ski lifts, ice rinks, and hospitality services will require substantial energy. Planners promise heavy reliance on renewable energy, but details remain sparse.
- Wildlife and Land Impact: Trojena’s location is home to unique desert and mountain ecosystems that could be disrupted by major construction and increased human presence.
- Long-Term Viability: Critics also wonder whether the resort will attract enough year-round visitors after the fanfare of the Games passes, and whether its facilities will be sustainable without constant subsidies or environmental harm.
| Aspect | Positive Potential | Risks & Criticism |
|---|---|---|
| Water Sustainability | Possible innovations in desalination, recycling, and efficient snowmaking | High water demand in an arid region, ecological disruption |
| Energy Use | Commitment to renewable sources (solar, wind) | Huge power needs for cooling and snow; carbon footprint depends on actual practices |
| Social Impact | Jobs, skills training, international exposure | Risk of benefit concentrating in elite or expat communities |
| Tourism | First-ever desert ski resort attracts global curiosity | Unproven demand; post-event viability uncertain |
Global Reactions: Supporters and Critics
The selection of Trojena has generated mixed reactions:
- Supporters: Highlight the event’s potential to foster regional unity, introduce winter sports to a new audience, and catalyze innovation in sustainable design and construction.
- Critics: Point to the inherent contradiction between a carbon-intensive ski resort and claims of environmental stewardship, questioning both the project’s ecological responsibility and the authenticity of its environmental messaging.
Nevertheless, the project moves forward, backed by the Kingdom’s leadership and significant financial resources.
Regional and International Implications
- Sports Diplomacy: By succeeding as hosts, Saudi Arabia can further cement its role as a regional hub for major sporting events, adding to its future hosting of the 2034 Asian Games and other international tournaments.
- Winter Sports Development: Hosting the Games is expected to stimulate interest in winter sports across the Middle East and North Africa, where such disciplines are currently rare.
- Model for Emerging Markets: The project may influence other countries with extreme climates to pursue ambitious, if unconventional, sustainability-focused tourism ventures.
- Economic Diversification: NEOM and Trojena exemplify Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to move beyond fossil fuels, investing in tech, green energy, and services.
The Road to 2029: Construction and Preparation
The current timeline for Trojena’s completion aligns with the 2029 Games, with construction set for completion by 2026. Project managers face tight deadlines, as much of the required infrastructure—roads, transport, venues, and hospitality—is still in planning or early phases. Saudi teams have visited established winter sports capitals (such as Harbin, China) to gather knowledge on building and maintaining world-class facilities.
The Games represent a massive logistical challenge, but one that Saudi leaders and NEOM developers are eager to meet, often stating that Trojena will “challenge global perceptions” of both sport and environmental possibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is Trojena?
A: Trojena is a planned ski and mountain resort area within Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megacity, designed to host year-round winter and outdoor sports, luxury tourism, and sustainable living.
Q: How is it possible to have a ski resort in the middle of the Saudi desert?
A: Trojena is located in a mountainous region at over 2,500 meters elevation, with winter temperatures as low as -5°C. The site experiences brief snowfall naturally but will rely heavily on artificial snowmaking technologies to host winter sports events.
Q: Isn’t artificial snowmaking environmentally harmful?
A: Artificial snow requires large amounts of water and energy, raising concerns about sustainability, especially in arid climates. NEOM planners claim they’ll use renewable energy and innovative water management, but full environmental details remain under scrutiny.
Q: Why has Saudi Arabia pursued this project?
A: The project is a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to diversify the economy, promote high-tech sustainable tourism, and transform the country’s global image.
Q: Will local Saudis benefit from Trojena?
A: The project aims to create job opportunities and international exposure, though there are concerns the major benefits may accrue primarily to elites and international visitors.
Conclusion: Trojena as a Test Case for Sustainable Ambition
The Trojena ski resort and the 2029 Asian Winter Games are emblematic of Saudi Arabia’s push for technological and environmental transformation. While the project promises innovation and new opportunities for sport and tourism, its environmental and social impacts are still open questions. Trojena’s success or failure will resonate far beyond the desert, shaping the global conversation about the future of sustainable megaprojects and sports in the 21st century.
References
- https://oca.asia/news/3407-oca-awards-asian-winter-games-2029-to-saudi-arabia.html
- https://equalocean.com/news/2025021821325
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui-4XCAHyrY
- https://www.dezeen.com/2025/08/27/neom-trojena-saudi-arabia-ski-resort-asian-winter-games/
- https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250825-olympic-council-of-asia-says-saudi-winter-games-on-schedule
- https://www.snowindustrynews.com/articles/2025/august/trojena-delays-cast-doubt-on-saudi-arabia-s-2029-asian-winter-games-plans/
- https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/N2261984
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