Trojena
NEOM's mountain tourism destination in the Sarawat range, set to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games and featuring year-round outdoor adventure and luxury hospitality.
Definition
Trojena is the mountain tourism destination within the NEOM economic zone, situated at elevations between 1,500 and 2,600 metres in the Sarawat mountain range, designed to offer year-round outdoor sports, adventure activities, and luxury hospitality — including an outdoor ski facility.
Overview
Announced in March 2022, Trojena is located approximately 50 kilometres from the Red Sea coast in the mountainous interior of the NEOM zone. The area benefits from temperatures that are typically 10 degrees Celsius cooler than the surrounding lowlands, with winter temperatures dropping below freezing — a rarity in the Arabian Peninsula. This microclimate underpins the project’s ambition to create a ski and winter sports destination in Saudi Arabia.
Trojena comprises six distinct districts: Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax, and Fun. The development includes a man-made freshwater lake, a ski village with year-round skiing capability, luxury hotels and chalets, a nature reserve, wellness retreats, and interactive digital experiences. The ski facility will use both natural snowfall (limited) and snowmaking technology.
In October 2022, the Olympic Council of Asia confirmed that Trojena would host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, marking the first time the event will be held in the Middle East. This selection was a significant diplomatic and marketing achievement for Saudi Arabia, providing a fixed international deadline that drives construction timelines and global visibility.
Key Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Announced | March 2022 |
| Elevation | 1,500–2,600 m |
| Districts | 6 (Gateway, Discover, Valley, Explore, Relax, Fun) |
| Key Feature | Outdoor ski facility |
| 2029 Asian Winter Games | Confirmed host |
| Climate | Up to 10°C cooler than coast; sub-zero winters |
| Man-Made Lake | Freshwater, central to the development |
| Parent Project | NEOM |
Role in Vision 2030
Trojena supports Vision 2030’s tourism diversification objectives by creating an entirely new category of Saudi tourism product — mountain and winter sports. The project targets both domestic tourists seeking cool-weather getaways and international visitors drawn by the novelty of a desert-kingdom ski destination. The 2029 Asian Winter Games provides a powerful catalyst for infrastructure completion and international awareness.
The project also advances Vision 2030’s environmental goals by incorporating sustainable design principles, wildlife conservation areas, and renewable energy systems within a sensitive mountain ecosystem. Trojena aims to demonstrate that large-scale tourism development and environmental stewardship can coexist.