Obviously every international ski resort needs a little après spot to warm the cockles after some downhill action, right? Although few would expect a desert to be home to a real snow slope (actually there are soon to be two – and 2009’s version will have polar bears and penguins), the Mall of the Emirates’ prime attraction – where grown-ups can pelt down the hill on skis and kiddies can steal each others’ sleds in the snow park below – is kind of convincing, in an odd way. And so, too, is this Alpine-themed bar, complete with stone-clad walls. Set at the foot of the slopes, it’s a great vantage point for the inept snowboard stylings of punters in their blue-and-red Michelin man suits. It makes a pretty mean cocktail too, and the food – pizza, burgers and fondue – is top-notch. The best views are from the bars stools, but once you’ve had an eyeful, sink into one of the white leather booths.