Saudi Arabia’s plans to construct a futuristic mountain ski resort within the desert are facing uncertainty.
The 2029 Asian Winter Games were initially planned to be hosted in Trojena, a high-altitude resort within the Kingdom’s planned megacity of NEOM.
It was meant to feature 30km of ski runs and artificial snow pumped from the Gulf of Aqaba, 200km away.
Saudi Arabia announced in 2022 that it had won the precise to host the Winter Games – raising eyebrows over the logistics of making a winter ski resort within the desert.
Nevertheless, the project has grappled with construction difficulties, meaning it might not be accomplished in time, the FT reports – though authorities insist the works are running on schedule.
Saudi Arabia and the Olympic Council of Asia are thought to have have begun informal talks with other countries to potentially take over the 2029 Games.
What’s NEOM?
Trojena, a futuristic ski resort planned for town of NEOM, was dubbed ‘the brand new global destination for mountain tourism’ in 2022.
It’s positioned high within the mountainous Tabuk region within the north of Saudi Arabia.
The NEOM project was announced by crown prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2017 and it’s expected to cost greater than $8.8trillion.
The 26,500sq km development is about to feature the Trojena ski village, The Line ‘smart city’ which could house nine million people, the Neom Bay Airport, the Oxagon floating industrial complex, the Sindalah luxury resort complex, and 6,500 hectares of agricultural land farming genetically engineered crops.
What problems is NEOM facing?
Being chosen to host the 2029 games has set a tough deadline for Trojena’s construction – and it’s not clear whether this will likely be met.
Several sources told the Financial Times that Saudi Arabia is ‘struggling’ to deliver the large project.
Potential pitfalls include the plans to fill an enormous artificial lake on the centre of the resort which would supply water to create artificial snow for the ski runs.
Using a pipe of 1 metre diameter as currently planned means the lake could take a minimum of two years to fill.
The positioning also faces logistical challenges on account of the mountainous terrain, with just one road accessing the realm.
A source aware of the project told the Telegraph: ‘The difficulties have been magnified by the schedule imposed on the project.’
The NEOM project has faced significant criticism because it was announced over its treatment of staff, local people, and environmental concerns.
Human Rights Watch found that ‘scores’ of migrant staff have died in ‘gruesome yet avoidable workplace-related accidents’ in Saudi Arabia, each on the NEOM project and others including preparation to host the 2034 World Cup.
The treatment of staff has also drawn concern, with NEOM Chief Executive Nadhmi al-Nasr recorded as saying during a gathering: ‘I drive everybody like a slave. After they drop down dead, I rejoice. That’s now I do my projects.’
Tribes reminiscent of the Howeitat people, who’re native to the realm, were reportedly forcibly evicted from their homeland to make way for the event. It’s thought as much as 20,000 people were forced to depart.
And environmental concerns have been raised concerning the impact of high temperatures upon the factitious ski resort, the quantity of energy required to maintain Trojena running, and native water sources being diverted to the positioning.
Which countries could host the games as a substitute?
Olympic organisers have reportedly approached each South Korea and China about the opportunity of stepping in to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
South Korea hosted the Winter Olympics in 2018, with China hosting them in 2022 and the Asian Winter Games earlier this yr.
The Olympic Council of Asia contacted the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee last week about the opportunity of hosting.
When asked about delays to the Trojena project, a spokesperson for NEOM said: ‘NEOM and the local organising committee are working in close coordination with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
‘Any further questions on the Asian Winter Games must be directed to the OCA.’
The Kuwait-based OCA denied the Trojena plan was facing delays, saying on Sunday it was ‘pleased with the strong progress being made, as we closely monitor the on-schedule work from the local organising committee’.
The statement added: ‘We appreciate the daring ambition of the venue and the opportunities it can create as a brand new winter sports destination serving the long run of sport in Asia.’
A version of this text was first published on August 22, 2025
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