Skiing in Africa
Thinking of Africa conjures images of vast desert landscapes and exotic safari animals. It’s hardly the first place you’d imagine going skiing. Nevertheless, this incredible continent offers several ski resorts, not only in northern Africa’s Atlas Mountains but also in the south of the continent. For truly adventurous souls, there is even dune skiing in the Namib Desert! Skiing in Africa is not exactly skiing in the Alps, so don’t expect 200km of groomed pistes surrounded by stunning glacier peaks. But it’s a whole new experience in itself. Here are 5 ski resorts to ski at during your holiday in Africa.
As it’s situated in the southern hemisphere, the period from April to October marks the cold season in South Africa. The average temperatures in Johannesburg during this season drop between 10-19 degrees – still not that cold by British standards. But it’s cold enough to run a small ski resort with 2km of slopes, just south of the city. Three lifts at Tiffindell Ski Resort take skiers up to an altitude of 2900m where there is one green slope, one blue slope and one red slope for skiers to practise their skills.
© Tiffindell
Oukaïmeden Ski Resort is located in Africa’s Atlas Mountains, about 70km from the Moroccan city of Marrakesh. Seven lifts bring skiers and snowboarders to 10km of well-groomed pistes at altitudes of up to 3268m. In winter, the snow here has a bit of a reputation for being icy and hard. The ski resort usually remains open through April so spring skiing is a better bet here. This region is particularly popular with ski tour enthusiasts, who come in search of untracked lines far from the lifts.
The tiny kingdom of Lesotho in southern Africa boasts its own little ski area, with 1.8km of slopes up to 3222m. Although the pistes are short, Afriski Mountain Resort promises a lovely experience in an exotic setting. This is the ideal place for beginners to learn to ski, thanks to the wonderful ski instructors and gentle slopes. Afriski Mountain Resort usually opens in June once snow cover is sufficient.
© Afriski
The motto at Matroosberg is 'Peak of Adventure' and it’s an accurate moniker. This farm in the south of Africa offers abseiling, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and ice climbing, among other things. In our summer months, Matroosberg opens two lifts with 2km of groomed slopes, geared towards snowboarders. The lifts may only be used by members of the South Africa Ski Club but membership only costs about 30 quid a year.
© Matroosberg
If you've always dreamed of going skiing without the cold temperatures and pesky snow,
Ski Namibia
is the place for you. Ski Namibia offers dune skiing on a sandy piste approximately 200m in length. The skis are prepared with special wax to help them slide better over the course sand. If you can’t bear to watch skis get dragged over sand, you can opt instead to use one of their special sledges for this experience.
Skiing on the dunes of Africa is possibly one of the most exotic activities you can do! But there is no shortage of other ski resorts in the world that offer incredibly a unique experience. Have you ever been skiing in Israel’s Mount Hermont, or India’s Gulmarg Resort in the Himalayas? There is even skiing in North Korea at the Masik-Ryong luxury hotel, with 17km of pistes. What’s on your skiing bucket list?
Skiing in Africa
Thinking of Africa conjures images of vast desert landscapes and exotic safari animals. It’s hardly the first place you’d imagine going skiing. Nevertheless, this incredible continent offers several ski resorts, not only in northern Africa’s Atlas Mountains but also in the south of the continent. For truly adventurous souls, there is even dune skiing in the Namib Desert! Skiing in Africa is not exactly skiing in the Alps, so don’t expect 200km of groomed pistes surrounded by stunning glacier peaks. But it’s a whole new experience in itself. Here are 5 ski resorts to ski at during your holiday in Africa.
As it’s situated in the southern hemisphere, the period from April to October marks the cold season in South Africa. The average temperatures in Johannesburg during this season drop between 10-19 degrees – still not that cold by British standards. But it’s cold enough to run a small ski resort with 2km of slopes, just south of the city. Three lifts at Tiffindell Ski Resort take skiers up to an altitude of 2900m where there is one green slope, one blue slope and one red slope for skiers to practise their skills.
© Tiffindell
Oukaïmeden Ski Resort is located in Africa’s Atlas Mountains, about 70km from the Moroccan city of Marrakesh. Seven lifts bring skiers and snowboarders to 10km of well-groomed pistes at altitudes of up to 3268m. In winter, the snow here has a bit of a reputation for being icy and hard. The ski resort usually remains open through April so spring skiing is a better bet here. This region is particularly popular with ski tour enthusiasts, who come in search of untracked lines far from the lifts.
The tiny kingdom of Lesotho in southern Africa boasts its own little ski area, with 1.8km of slopes up to 3222m. Although the pistes are short, Afriski Mountain Resort promises a lovely experience in an exotic setting. This is the ideal place for beginners to learn to ski, thanks to the wonderful ski instructors and gentle slopes. Afriski Mountain Resort usually opens in June once snow cover is sufficient.
© Afriski
The motto at Matroosberg is 'Peak of Adventure' and it’s an accurate moniker. This farm in the south of Africa offers abseiling, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and ice climbing, among other things. In our summer months, Matroosberg opens two lifts with 2km of groomed slopes, geared towards snowboarders. The lifts may only be used by members of the South Africa Ski Club but membership only costs about 30 quid a year.
© Matroosberg
If you've always dreamed of going skiing without the cold temperatures and pesky snow,
Ski Namibia
is the place for you. Ski Namibia offers dune skiing on a sandy piste approximately 200m in length. The skis are prepared with special wax to help them slide better over the course sand. If you can’t bear to watch skis get dragged over sand, you can opt instead to use one of their special sledges for this experience.
Skiing on the dunes of Africa is possibly one of the most exotic activities you can do! But there is no shortage of other ski resorts in the world that offer incredibly a unique experience. Have you ever been skiing in Israel’s Mount Hermont, or India’s Gulmarg Resort in the Himalayas? There is even skiing in North Korea at the Masik-Ryong luxury hotel, with 17km of pistes. What’s on your skiing bucket list?
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
