Anyone who has spent time in the snow will know that being cold is no fun. Frozen hands and feet plus uncontrollably chattering teeth are enough to send even the hardiest souls scampering indoors.
So, if you are heading off to snowy climates this winter, be sure to be kitted out in the right gear, because a million-dollar view simply isn't worth it if you can't feel your feet.
The trick to staying warm in sub-zero temperatures is wearing several thin layers rather than one thick one. While pulling on a big coat may feel like the best way forward, the most effective way to ward off chill is to maximise the air trapped between multiple layers of clothing. The air is warmed through body heat and acts as an all-day personal radiator.
As well as being better at keeping in the heat, wearing several thinner layers also means it is easier to cool down when the sun comes out. Peeling off one thin layer is enough to cool you off, while still making sure you stay warm.
Base layer
The base layer is the one that sits next to the skin, so make sure it is soft and comfortable. For best results, look for long-sleeve tops with a polo neck, and leggings that run from the waist to the ankle. The material must be able to wick away moisture, to stop you getting cold, and should be good at holding in a layer of air.
Don't be temped to wear cotton as a base, as it will absorb the moisture and hold it next to your skin, which will cool you down, rather than keep you warm.
The most efficient material for this is surprisingly silk, which, despite being pricey, is something of a wonder material in the cold. Although a delicate natural fabric, even a thin layer is excellent at trapping air around the body, while remaining extremely lightweight. Grenasasilk sells silk thermal tops and long johns, for both men and women, starting at Dh220.
A cheaper alternative to silk is polyester, while not as cosy to wear, it is good at shifting moisture away from your skin. Marks and Spencer sells thermal items that use a blend of fibres to keep the heat in, in a range of different weights for various levels of warmth. With a wide selection, it has long and short-sleeve tops, shorts and traditional long johns for both men and women, as well as women’s thermal bodies, footless leggings, tights and socks, starting from Dh49.
Decathalon stocks men’s base layer thermal tops, starting at Dh45, while Lorna Jane offers a Thermal Tech long-sleeve top for women, with four-way stretch and thumb hole to keep the hands warm for Dh425.
Middle layers
These are the layers that provide the bulk of insulation from the cold, so think sweatshirts, long-sleeve T-shirts, hoodies and even lightweight padded gilets. For best results in the coldest climates, pull on three or four, one over another.
Sun and Sand Sports offers a lightweight Columbia Snow Country hooded jacket, now reduced to just Dh393 for the women's version, while Gant sells a light padded jacket for men now reduced to only Dh559. Adidas stocks an adidas x Parley unisex hoodie, made from organic cotton, for Dh649, while The Giving Movement has an oversized hoodie, printed in both English and Arabic, now reduced from Dh699 to Dh350.
While long sleeves mean more warmth, they can also reduce the range of movement for arms, so check out the Nike Therma-Fit running gilet for Dh419. Filled with synthetic fibres it is warm and extremely lightweight.
At the top end of the scale, there is a thin Gucci silk Supreme zip-front jacket at Ounass for Dh7,600.
Outer layer
If the two inner layers are all about keeping body heat in, the outer layer is there to block the wind, rain and snow. A thick wool coat is OK for a stroll around town, but up on the mountain, it is better to opt for a waterproof windbreaker. Materials like Gore-Tex and Sympatex have been specially developed for this purpose, and are not only better at keeping out a biting wind, but they are fully breathable and much lighter than wool.
Sun and Sand Sports has the Men's Apex Flex Gore-Tex 2L snow jacket, by The North Face, currently reduced to Dh1,434, while Surfdome has men’s snow pants by Rip Curl, for Dh602.50. Boss offers an all-in-one women’s ski suit for Dh5,300, which is waterproof and has a thermal lining and a hood.
At Dior there is a reversible, cropped down jacket, in quilted technical taffeta for Dh22,000. For anyone who wants to seriously look the part on the slopes, try Moncler. Masters of cold weather gear, and with ongoing collaborations with brands such as Valentino and Off-White, this is the gear to be seen in. The Italian brand's Sanbesan short-down jacket costs Dh7,308.
Gloves and goggles
Light bouncing off snow can affect vision, with the dazzling white light capable of causing damage to the eyesight, so it is vital to have good-quality goggles to protect yourself.
Most sunglasses are built to shade light coming from overhead only, so tend not to block light bouncing from below. Lens specialist company Zeiss makes goggles with technical tints to protect the eyes, starting at just Dh547, while Alensa offers a wide range of goggles, including the Magnify 5K Red pair by Head, which cost Dh699 and come with a spare lens. For something a little fancier, try mirrored green Bottega Veneta goggles for Dh3,401 from Revolve.
Good-quality gloves are essential in the snow, as digits get cold very quickly unless properly protected. Go Sport has Oakley ski gloves for Dh260, which come with a useful leash so you don't lose them, and Adventure HQ offers the XTM Everest gloves, costing Dh899, which have Gore-Tex membrane to keep them dry.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Dr Graham's three goals
Short term
Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines
Intermediate term
Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations
Long term
A prototype pathogen approach for pandemic preparedness
MANDOOB
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
ELECTION%20RESULTS
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What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
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UAE%20SQUAD
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Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE%20FIXTURES
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
Afro%20salons
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
Princeton
The specs: 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS
Price: base / as tested: From Dh632,225
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 540hp @ 8,250rpm
Torque: 540Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L / 100km
More on animal trafficking
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
