RIYADH: Dubai's famed indoor ski slope is about to get some Gulf competition. Saudi developers say they plan a ''snow village'' inside a new mall in Riyadh.

A statement on company websites Monday says the latest snow-in-the-desert attraction will be part of an entertainment area in the mall, which is scheduled to be opened later this year in the Saudi capital.

Developer Al Othaim Investment and Real Estate Development Co. gave no further details about the planned site. The mall is built by Saudi construction giant Dar Al Arkan.

Dubai's slope opened in 2005 and recently added penguins as a tourist draw.