Ice isn’t a weather state that a lot of us usually associate with Africa, but despite this, many African nations frequently see ice every winter. Frequently, the ice is not serious enough for extreme sports as snowboarding and skiing; however, you will find 3 nations on the African continent which will have the own ski resorts of theirs. In the southern hemisphere winter (June – August), the best choice of yours for a number of on piste action is Tiffindell Ski Resort in South Africa, or maybe Afriski Mountain Resort in Lesotho. If you would prefer to spend the December festive season on the slopes, the best option of yours is Morocco’s Atlas Mountains.
A distinctive Experience
Ski Morocco is not like skiing at the high end resorts of North America and Europe. Based on the place you go, infrastructure is both non-existent or limited – such as ski hire shops, ski lifts plus amenities for après-ski entertainment. In order to stay away from disappointment, it is better to be as self sufficient as they can, from catering on your own to bringing your own personal equipment. In case you come prepared, nonetheless, skiing in Morocco may additionally be hugely rewarding. The scenery is stunning, the pistes are gloriously uncrowded and after that the price is a portion of what you are able to look to pay in other places.
Above all, skiing in Morocco enables you to get off of the beaten track and indulge the feeling of yours of adventure. The novelty of having the ability to suggest you have carved powder in Africa tends to make the hassle to do very worthwhile.
Oukaïmeden Ski Resort
The picturesque village of Oukaïmeden is situated forty nine miles/ seventy eight kilometers south of Marrakesh in the center of the High Atlas Mountains. The village is perched at 8,530 feet/ 2,600 meters, even though the winter sports area clings to the advantage of Jebel Attar mountain and also features a highest elevation of 10,603 feet/ 3,232 meters. An individual chairlift takes you with the top, where 6 downhill runs await. Each and every one is made more complicated by a shortage of piste maintenance. There is likewise a nursery area, a ski school, a family unit sledging location including a number of intermediate slopes served by 4 drag lifts. If the latter feel way too conventional, you are able to usually hitch a drive to the pinnacle of the incline on among the resort donkeys.
The runs aren’t properly signposted, as well as locals make use of tourist confusion by providing unofficial guide services. If you require support, it is safer to get a teacher from the ski school because these manuals are hardly ever particularly knowledgeable. There’s a ski hire shop offering outdated but serviceable tools, while unofficial ski hire kiosks offer prehistoric gear for one third of the cost. Whichever option you’re going for, you will be astonished by just how inexpensive it’s going skiing at Oukaïmeden. A day’s official equipment hire costs around eighteen dolars, while lift passes will set you back about eleven dolars.
In between runs, you are able to buy traditional Moroccan street foods from a selection of locally owned stalls. There’s a hotel & restaurant in Oukaïmeden known as Hotel Chez Juju, though reports differ regarding the caliber of the accommodation. Many choose in order to create day trips from Marrakesh, and to invest the evening at one of many luxury kasbahs nestled in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. Kasbah Tamadot and Kasbah Angour are fantastic alternatives, as well as each could arrange transportation to Oukaïmeden for you. Or else, return taxi fares from Marrakesh cost approximately forty five dolars. If you’ve an automobile, the trip from Marrakesh to Oukaïmeden is going to take you around 2 hours.
Skiing Near Ifrane
Although Oukaïmeden is Morocco’s just genuine ski resort, the Middle Atlas village of Ifrane is likewise recognized because of its cold winters in addition to shocking slopes. Located forty miles/ sixty five kilometers south of both Meknes and Fez, Ifrane is a brief taxi drive from Michlifen Ski Station, where a number of simple trails provide an enjoyable day trip for intermediate skiers and beginner. There’s a ski lift at Michlifen, though it is also easy to hike to the pinnacle of the slopes. Bringing your very own gear is perfect if possible, though you will find rental shops with equipment in different states of fix at the ski station and also in Ifrane itself.
Moroccan Ski Tours
For serious skiiers, only one of the best choices is joining a ski tour such as the one provided by Pathfinder Travels. Each season, airers4you arranges an eight day expedition to the High Atlas Mountains. You will be based at Refuge Toukbal, located at the feet of Morocco’s highest mountain; and also invest your days looking at the backcountry skiing options offered by Jebel Toukbal and its neighboring peaks. With an average level of 13,120 feet/ 4,000 meters, these mountains yield a never ending source of deeply couloirs and incredible open snow fields.
The truly daring also can hit the slopes with Africa’s merely heliskiing outfit, Heliski Marrakech. You will find 2 packages to select from. The primary is a 3 day/ 2 night excursion which has as many as 4 helicopter drops each day on High Atlas slopes measuring 11,480 feet/ 3,500 meters or higher in height. The following includes 1 day of heliskiing and a half day at Oukaïmeden.