TABUK: The snow that fell on Al-Lawz Mountain on Thursday brought out young people who love to ski, and who turned sand-skiing into ice-skiing.
Visitors were interested in the young people skiing on snow and wanted to try it themselves.
Roads leading to the snow-covered areas were crowded with hikers enjoying the beautiful white mountains and the cold, fresh weather.
The two centers of Alkan and Al-Lawz experienced rainfall accompanied by snow, which attracted large numbers of families from Tabuk city and neighboring districts — and from outside of the area — to see this annual visitor that covers the mountains, valleys and hills of the north of Tabuk each year.
Government sectors concerned with traffic, security and roads, along with the Red Crescent, Civil Defense and the Border Guards, are monitoring the situation and are ready to manage any possible emergency.
The local population gathers every year to watch this phenomenon. They arrive at the mountain early to welcome the snow and consider this time to be the most beautiful of the year.
Last week, Hussein Al-Qahtani, spokesman for the General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection, told the Saudi Press Agency that a cold-air front would push toward the northern areas and would continue until the middle of next week.
The front is expected to cause snowfall, particularly in the Northern Borders and Jawf regions, accompanied by low temperatures, dropping to -2°C.
Snowy Davos closes as skiing season opens in Saudi Arabia
Snowy Davos closes as skiing season opens in Saudi Arabia
Winter at Tantora Festival returns to AlUla, showcasing rich cultural heritage
- Festival now established as a premier annual event
AlUla: The Winter at Tantora Festival launched on Thursday in AlUla. It runs until Jan. 10 and presents a cultural season which celebrates the region’s rich civilizational, cultural, and historic legacy.
The festival’s program includes a wide array of cultural, artistic, and traditional activities, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Attractions include Old Town Nights, Shorfat Tantora, When Shadow Tracks Us, and the Al-Manshiyah Carnival.
FASTFACT
In the past, AlUla’s inhabitants used this clock to measure time and coordinate their agricultural activities.
In addition, there are guided tours of street art through the Old Town, special events commemorating the Year of Handicrafts, culinary experiences, and artistic and musical performances.
The festival derives its name from the Tantora, an ancient sundial situated in the Old Town’s center. In the past, AlUla’s inhabitants used this clock to measure time and coordinate their agricultural activities. The modern festival honors this tradition by marking the onset of winter and the start of the planting season.
This year’s edition offers a range of experiences to celebrate heritage, genuine local culture, and traditional craftsmanship.
As part of AlUla Moments, the Winter at Tantora Festival supports efforts to boost cultural and tourist engagement while enhancing the visitor experience.
The initiative reflects Saudi Vision 2030’s commitment to advancing cultural tourism and promoting the Kingdom’s historic landmarks.
The festival has established itself as one of AlUla’s premier annual events, consistently attracting both domestic and international audiences.
