Exaggerated, surreal, and almost otherworldly—that’s the public imagination around Neom, a futuristic mega-city project in Saudi Arabia. Spanning a straight corridor of desert 170 kilometers long, Neom promises glow‑in‑the‑dark beaches, millions of trees planted on barren shores, and high‑speed, skyward trains. Now, an additional bold claim enters the story: Saudi Arabia has been chosen to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, which will feature a new, large‑scale ski slope.
Neom, a sci‑fi style city already under construction, sits beside Dubai in many observers’ minds as a leap in urban development. It is a project championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The region endures temperatures near 40ºC and faces water scarcity. The final footprint is planned to cover about 26,500 square kilometers, roughly the size of Belgium.
60 square kilometer ski resort
The ambition does not stop at urban population and infrastructure. A 60 square kilometer ski resort is slated to become a reality by 2026 within Neom, known as Trojena. The scope is vast: airports, an industrial hub, 2,200 residences, 3,600 hotel rooms, and even transgenic products are part of the plan, illustrating the scale of the project and its expected role in regional development.
Neom and Trojena arise along the Red Sea coast, roughly 50 kilometers from the Gulf of Aqaba. The ski center designated to host the 2029 games sits in a mountainous area reaching up to 2,600 meters in altitude. It is notable that Gebel al Lawz Mountain, at about 2,580 meters, can see winter snow in parts of the season, despite the surrounding desert climate. The event plans call for substantial artificial snow production, which will involve transporting large quantities of water from the Red Sea and desalinating it.
Despite the logistical challenges, supporters and the Saudi government emphasize the project as a marker of progress. They argue Neom could pioneer zero‑emission transportation, potentially making it a climate‑forward model—though critics question whether such a scale can be truly emission‑free in practice.
Once complete, Trojena is expected to offer 30 kilometers of ski runs from December through March. An artificial lake about one kilometer long will be created in the valley to support summer water activities, and a broader entertainment and tourism district will develop around it.
The environmental implications are a point of debate. Large desalination needs require energy and water handling on a scale rarely seen, with concerns about CO2 emissions and the impact of brine discharge on marine ecosystems. Proponents cite solar energy for powering desalination, while critics note that very large facilities may struggle to maintain efficiency and reliability, potentially undermining environmental goals. Experts point to the broader pattern of desert developments, where water use and energy demand shape environmental tradeoffs. The discussion continues as plans progress.
Bedouin tribes were forcibly evicted
Work on Neom began years ago, and many observers doubt that the project will unfold exactly as initially described. Early photos and reports suggest delays and evolving timelines. Alongside environmental concerns, social issues have drawn scrutiny. The construction area covers lands historically inhabited by Bedouin and nomadic communities, including the Huwaitat group, found within the Tri-State region surrounding Trojena.
Human rights advocates have reported that villages were evacuated and thousands of Huwaitat members were displaced, sometimes without adequate compensation. There were also accounts of fatalities linked to eviction protests and related tensions. These narratives have been widely discussed by international media and researchers, highlighting the human dimension of a project framed as a national priority. Continued coverage from multiple outlets confirms that these issues remain central to the public discourse.
Notes from researchers and observers reference the broader context of Neom’s ambitions, the environmental tradeoffs, and the social implications for communities in the region. The debate continues as more information becomes available and the project evolves.
Key references are found in reporting by major outlets and regional analyses. These sources discuss the interplay between ambitious development goals and the real-world impacts on residents, ecosystems, and local governance. Any assessment of Neom and Trojena benefits from considering both the potential economic and tourism opportunities and the environmental and social costs.
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