Oman will be getting its first snow park this year as preparations are under way for its opening at the Mall of Muscat, said a report.

The park, being developed by the Al Jarwani Group in partnership with the Tamani Entertainment and Dutch company 'Unlimited Snow', will open to the public in the last quarter of 2018, said a report in Times of Oman.

Located on the third level of the Mall of Muscat, construction of the 5,600-sq-m project started in 2015. A themed Alpine village facade will give the snow park a more inviting appearance to mall visitors.

The snow park will consist of snow carvings, terraces, alpine cottages and chalets, and a souvenir gift shop, the report said.

Chemical-free snow and ice will be produced after visiting hours, and the park will have a fully automated melt-water recycling system, providing a fresh layer of snow daily. There will also be an artificial snow fall (the snow shower feature) during visiting hours, for people to enjoy an unprecedented snow experience in the sultanate.

Additionally, there will be light effects, a realistic star-filled sky, and snow covered trees to reflect the Alpine theme.

The snow mobile track will be the park's signature attraction, weaving its way through a large area of the park, featuring more than 21 special rides to accommodate different age groups, it said.

Other attractions, many of which are making their debut, will include snow bumper cars, snow mobiles, a snow carousel, snow diggers, snow slides, snow scooters, ice climbing wall, snowball challenge, snowball arena, Alpine theatre, and an ice skating rink.