He said a snowberry bush that "predicted" hard winters in 2009 and 2010 had shown signs that the coming winter would also be cold and snow-filled.

BBC: Cairngorms and Lecht ski runs could open at weekend

Now they face the punishment of winter: winds, cold, rain and snow.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Guests also get free entry to the Snow Park, the non-ski slope part of Ski Dubai, where you can make snowballs and snow angels, try sledding and toboggan runs and indulge in all your mid-winter, cold weather fantasies while everyone else is sweating rivers outside.

BBC: Cool down in a Dubai ski chalet