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Jebel Jais Weather by Month, the Zipline Price and How to Get There
Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah is the UAE's highest mountain and its coldest place: in January the average high is about 11°C, and it has seen snow. Here is the weather month by month, what the Jais Flight zipline costs and who can ride it, the hikes, and how to get up.
Photo: Clintonrebeiro, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Text added by Trip Under.
Short answer
Jebel Jais is the coldest place in the UAE. At the weather station near the top, the average high is about 11°C in January and the average low about 6°C; in July it reaches about 30°C, still far cooler than the coast. It froze at 0.2°C on 22 January 2026, and the UAE's record low, −5.7°C, was set here in February 2017. The Jais Flight zipline starts from AED 325, for riders 40–120 kg, Wednesday to Sunday. The drive takes about 1 h 45 m to 2 h from Dubai and 45 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah city.
Most of the UAE is flat and hot. Jebel Jais is the exception: a limestone mountain in the Hajar range, near the Oman border, with a 36 km road to near the top, the Jais Flight zipline, guided hikes and a viewing deck. In winter you need a jacket; in summer it is the coolest day out in the country.
How we checked. The monthly averages are the UAE National Center of Meteorology figures for its Jebel Jais station (2003–2021), as published in the Wikipedia climate table. That station is at about 1,480 m, below the summit, so the very top is a little colder. Zipline prices and rules come from the Visit Ras Al Khaimah and Visit Jebel Jais official pages, checked on 5 November 2026. Attractions close in storms and for summer maintenance, so check visitjebeljais.com before you drive up.
Jebel Jais weather by month
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 11.2°C | 6.4°C | 29.2 mm |
| Feb | 13.2°C | 8.1°C | 15.1 mm |
| Mar | 17.1°C | 11.7°C | 32.4 mm |
| Apr | 21.6°C | 16.2°C | 15.3 mm |
| May | 26.6°C | 21.1°C | 0.4 mm |
| Jun | 30.2°C | 24.7°C | 0 mm |
| Jul | 30.5°C | 24.9°C | 0.3 mm |
| Aug | 29.8°C | 24.5°C | 0.6 mm |
| Sep | 27.6°C | 22.3°C | 0.2 mm |
| Oct | 23.1°C | 17.8°C | 5.8 mm |
| Nov | 17°C | 11.9°C | 14.5 mm |
| Dec | 13.3°C | 8.3°C | 15.2 mm |
Source: UAE National Center of Meteorology, Jebel Jais station, 2003–2021, via the Wikipedia climate table (accessed 5 November 2026). The year averages a 21.8°C high, a 16.5°C low and about 129 mm of rain, most of it between November and April. The highest reading on record is 36.5°C, in June.
Gulf News and Khaleej Times both describe Jebel Jais as about 10°C cooler than the rest of the UAE. In July 2018, Gulf News reported 31°C by day at the top while much of the country was at 43–45°C.
Snow and frost on Jebel Jais
- Snow has been reported in 2004, January 2009, February 2017 and January 2020 (with hail).
- 3 February 2017: −5.7°C, the lowest temperature ever recorded in the UAE.
- 3 January 2025: 2.2°C, with frost and ice crystals (Khaleej Times).
- 22 January 2026: 0.2°C at 5:45 am, the lowest in the UAE that day; no snow (The National).
Snow is rare and never forecast weeks ahead. If you want the cold, go in January or February, at sunrise, with a proper jacket.
Jais Flight zipline: price and rules
| Jais Flight | |
|---|---|
| Price | From AED 325 per person; varies by season (Visit Ras Al Khaimah) |
| Length | 2.83 km, starting about 1,680 m above sea level |
| Speed | Up to 160 km/h by the operator's main page; its FAQ says 150 km/h |
| Weight | 40–120 kg |
| Height | At least 130 cm (Visit Ras Al Khaimah); the operator's FAQ says 122 cm |
| Under 18 | With a parent or guardian and a signed waiver |
| Days and hours | Wednesday to Sunday and public holidays; 9:30 am–4 pm October–April, 10:30 am–5 pm May–September |
| Bring | Original photo ID, athletic clothes, closed shoes |
| Extra | Ride camera footage AED 150 |
The Jais Sky Tour (six ziplines, about 5 km, around two hours) and the Jais Sledder are also on the mountain. We could not confirm their current prices from an official page, and the sledder was listed as temporarily closed.
Hiking on Jebel Jais
The trails are free to walk on your own. Guided walks leave from the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp, from October to April, for ages 8 and up:
| Walk | Distance | Guided price |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Shepherd Walk | 2.5 km, about 2 h | AED 125 |
| Hidden Oasis Walk | 7 km | AED 200 |
| Wadi Loop | 7.5 km | AED 200 |
| Hidden Pond | 9 km | AED 250 |
| Hidden Oasis Loop | 9.6 km | AED 250 |
How to get to Jebel Jais
- By car: about 1 h 45 m to 2 h from Dubai and 45 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah city. The 36 km mountain road is paved and fine for a normal car; drive slowly in fog or rain.
- By bus: from 28 November 2025 to the end of April 2026, RAKTA ran a weekend "Yellow Route" up the mountain (Fridays to Sundays, every three hours, 6 am to 9 pm) from Al Jazirah Al Hamra via Al Marjan Island. We could not confirm whether it runs again in 2026–27; check rakta.gov.ae.
- From Dubai without a car: buses from Dubai reach Ras Al Khaimah city only; from there it is a taxi for the last 30–40 minutes (Visit Jebel Jais).
Storms close the mountain. After heavy rain from 17 to 19 December 2025, the road and attractions shut; the zipline reopened on 31 January 2026 and the rest in February. Some attractions also pause for summer maintenance. Check visitjebeljais.com the day before.
Best time to visit Jebel Jais
Frequently asked questions
How cold is Jebel Jais?
In January the average high near the top is about 11°C and the average low about 6°C. It reached 0.2°C on 22 January 2026, and the UAE's record low, −5.7°C, was set there in February 2017.
Does it snow on Jebel Jais?
Rarely. Snow has been reported in 2004, 2009, 2017 and 2020. Frost is more common on the coldest winter mornings.
How much is the Jebel Jais zipline?
The Jais Flight zipline starts from AED 325 per person on Visit Ras Al Khaimah; the price varies by season. Camera footage is AED 150 extra.
What are the Jais Flight rules?
Riders must weigh 40–120 kg and be at least 130 cm tall (the operator's FAQ says 122 cm), bring original photo ID and wear closed shoes. Under-18s need a parent or guardian and a signed waiver.
How far is Jebel Jais from Dubai?
About 1 h 45 m to 2 hours by car. From Ras Al Khaimah city it is about 45 minutes, up a 36 km mountain road.
When is the best time to visit Jebel Jais?
November to March for cool weather, clear views and the guided hikes; December to February for the coldest days.
Is there a bus to Jebel Jais?
RAKTA ran a weekend bus up the mountain from November 2025 to April 2026. Check rakta.gov.ae for the 2026–27 season.
Sources and how we priced this
- Climate: Wikipedia, Jebel Jais climate table citing the UAE National Center of Meteorology (2003–2021), accessed 5 Nov 2026; Gulf News on the station altitude and sub-zero readings (23 Jan 2026); Gulf News (15 Sep 2018) and Khaleej Times (31 May 2025) on the 10°C difference.
- Cold readings: Khaleej Times (Jan 2025); The National (22 Jan 2026); Wikipedia, Jebel Jais, for earlier snow and the 2017 record.
- Zipline and attractions: visitrasalkhaimah.com Jais Flight page; visitjebeljais.com play, FAQ and hiking pages (checked 5 Nov 2026).
- Getting there and closures: RAKTA Yellow Route announcement (28 Nov 2025); Visit Jebel Jais transport guide; The National (23 Dec 2025) and Gulf News (Jan 2026) on the storm closure.
Keep reading
Plan Jebel Jais properly
Our Jebel Jais page has the costs, where to stay, the best months and a day plan, in your own currency.
Open the Jebel Jais page →Costs come from Trip Under's place data and our cost model (see methodology). They are indicative ballparks for budget travel and move with season and demand. Check live bus, train and room prices before you book. Trip Under is reader-planned, not an agency, and takes no commission on any booking.