The Ras Al Khaimah Government and the PDSI Development Group have launched a Dh20 billion ($5.44 billion) real estate project that will include a mountain resort, wildlife sanctuary and marina. Ras Al Khaimah is the northern most emirate of the United Arab Emirates, previous indoor developments built and planned are in Dubai, a separate Emirate.

The resort will be built on Al Jees Mountain and it will be accessible only by helicopter and gondolas, Peter Dalkeith Scott, president of PDSI, was quoted as saying in the report. It will include Ski RAK which will feature the UAE's longest indoor snow ski slope, 550m long.

The two parties have already signed an agreement for a 50-50 joint venture on a freehold basis that is open to foreign investors. Construction will commence within six months, said a Gulf News report.

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According the UAE state information, Ras Al Khaimah's ruler since 1948 has been H.H. Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qassimi. The Emirate's history extends into antiquity. Archeological excavations reveal that a settlement with an advanced civilization that carried on trade with the Indian sub-continent existed in this region. Later historical records cite that the town of Ras Al Khaimah , then known as Julfar, belonged to early Muslim Caliphs. In the 18th century, after the invasions of the Persians, Portugese and the Dutch, it finally became a part of the Al Qawasim State. It was also once the centre of the naval strength of the southern Gulf states. The traditional occupations of this emirate are mainly fishing, trading and agriculture which have been heavily modernized to meet the demands of the UAE's economy.

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