Techniques are disclosed for accessing a dimensional data model when processing a query. In one embodiment, the query is processed by performing a two-stage zigzag join operation including a zigzag main join and a zigzag back join. The zigzag main join is configured to generate a set of row identifiers of fact records satisfying any local predicates in the query. The zigzag back join is configured to generate query results based on the set of row identifiers. The query results are returned responsive to the query.