Neom and Trojena: a bold Saudi project and its winter ambitions
Exaggerated, surreal, and increasingly real, the vision around Neom has drawn global attention. The Saudi mega project includes a straight 170-kilometer line city, a desert dotted with glow properties, extensive tree planting, and technological showpieces like illuminated features and hovering-train concepts. A new headline adds to the list: Saudi Arabia has been chosen to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, with a large ski slope planned as part of the development narrative.
Neom, a futuristic city already taking shape, is an initiative backed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In a region known for extreme heat near 40ºC and limited drinking water, the project envisions a footprint of about 26,500 square kilometers, nearly the size of Belgium. The scale is immense and continues to evolve as plans unfold.
60 square kilometer ski resort
Even with a metropolis taking form, Neom includes a substantial ski complex planned for 2026 as part of Trojena. To illustrate the scope, the Trojena project will feature airports, an industrial hub, thousands of residences, hundreds of hotels, and a range of innovative products. The idea is to create a year-round destination that blends winter sports with a full recreation and residential ecosystem.
Neom and Trojena are being developed in the Red Sea region, about 50 kilometers from the Gulf of Aqaba. The announced site for the winter games lies in a mountainous zone reaching elevations up to 2,600 meters, where snow is occasionally present in winter near the high Gebel al Lawz peak. Hosting the games implies significant need for artificial snow production and substantial desalinated water from the Red Sea to support it.
Despite the challenges, promoters and government supporters frame Neom as a model of sustainability with plans for emission-free transportation. They assert that the city will be the first large urban area with zero emissions, relying on electrified transport systems and solar energy to power operations.
Once completed, Trojena is expected to offer about 30 kilometers of pistes for skiing from December to March. An artificial lake spanning roughly a kilometer will be built in a valley to host water activities during warmer months, with a surrounding entertainment and tourism district rising nearby.
The environmental footprint of the project is widely debated. Critics point to the desalination process required to supply water for both residents and recreation, noting energy demands and potential impacts on marine life. Proponents counter that solar energy will power the desalination and overall energy needs, though questions remain about the performance of such systems at scale. The coastal and desert environment also raises concerns about ecological balance and long-term sustainability.
Displacement concerns around Neom
Work on Neom began several years ago, but experts question whether it will meet planned timelines. Satellite imagery and online documentation suggest that studies and development progress have encountered delays. In addition to environmental questions, there have been reports of social disruptions connected to the project. The Huwaitat Bedouin and other nomadic communities historically inhabited lands eyed for Neom and Trojena.
Human rights observers have called attention to evictions in some villages, with figures indicating thousands of community members were displaced with insufficient compensation. There have been accounts of individuals who resisted relocation, some of whom documented their experiences publicly. Such reports have amplified scrutiny of the broader project.
The discussion around Neom includes a range of viewpoints from supporters who emphasize economic diversification and technological innovation to critics who highlight human rights and environmental risks. The conversation is ongoing and multifaceted as the city moves forward.
Further details and official information about Neom were historically shared through project channels and related communications, but this article does not reproduce external links. The narrative here focuses on the larger themes and public discourse surrounding the development and its potential implications for the region.
Overall, the Neom venture stands as a bold experiment in urban design, climate adaptation, and large-scale infrastructure. As plans progress, observers in Canada, the United States, and beyond watch closely to gauge how such a megaproject might influence global perspectives on sustainable development, tourism, and regional growth.
Note: This article does not include current contact details or direct sources. Interpretations and assessments reflect ongoing public discussion and reported information from various outlets.