The Majid Al Futtaim group is planning a huge development in Dubai that will feature entertainment, leisure and shopping centres as well as a winter sports resort - with real snow.

Souk Al Nakheel, which will be located on the Sheikh Zayed Road, will open in phases beginning late 2003.

The winter sports resort will have downhill skiing and snowboarding, an ice skating pond and an alpine village where children can build snowmen, go tobogganing and play with snowballs.

It will be the first of its kind in the Middle East.

"The concept of the 'next generation' complex places a major emphasis on entertainment and leisure allied to world class shopping. With our winter snowland, we will be creating a true destination at Souk Al Nakheel, one that will be attractive to foreign tourists as well as to local residents and visitors," said Jeff Rossely, group vice-president, property development.

Overall, Souk Al Nakheel will have a strongly Moroccan theme, recreating the exotic atmosphere of Marrakesh and Casablanca during the golden period of Moorish architecture. It will include 60,000 sq m of retail stores, a 20,000 sq m Carrefour hypermarket and parking for 5,000 cars.