When thinking about Africa, most people envision safaris, beaches, rainforests, and sand dunes. But ski resorts? It’s a little known fact that there are actually ski hills on the African continent. However, if you like to ski and want to experience a new, picturesque environment for the snowy sport, Africa can offer some great options. From the Atlas Mountain in Morocco to the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho, the continent has several ski gems definitely worth exploring during the winter season.
You won’t experience skiing like you can find in the Rocky Mountains or the Alps but the novelty of skiing in Africa might just be worth it.
Skiing Destinations in North Africa
The Atlas Mountains and the sub ranges stretch 1,600 miles through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia and reach a summit of 13, 665 feet at the highest point.
Morocco
More well-known than Algeria, Morocco has three main ski areas; Ifrane, Mischliffen, and Oukaimeden.
Oukaimeden
Oukaimeden is home to the most well-known and best quality skiing in Africa and is only a half hour’s drive from Marrakech. The peak of the mountain sits at 10,800+ feet! It is home to seven runs (ranging from beginner to expert), the longest of which is a little over 3 kilometers. Getting back up you can choose from a chair lift, tow bar, or donkey.
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As one of Africa’s most northerly ski resorts, Oukaïmeden’s location in the High Atlas Mountains has been a fascinating skiing location for decades. Oukaïmeden is smaller, the lifts are dated and the pistes are not as well groomed, which can make for a very bumpy ride at times and can feel like you’re actually on hard off-piste snow. However, Oukaïmeden is still worth exploring as skiing here can be very rewarding due to its own eccentric characteristics that make it a noteworthy destination.
The resort is located about 49 miles (78km) south of Marrakech and is the highest ski resort in Africa. Standing at over 3,000 metres (over 9,500 feet) and offering up to 10km of skiable slopes, visitors are a mix of both tourists and local skiers. The ski season here can last from late December through to March.
There are seven lifts in Oukaïmeden that run for all abilities, including six drag-lifts that service the beginner’s nursery slope and the intermediate-level slopes; and a slow single chairlift to the more advanced slope.
Affordable and less cramped than many European skiing destinations, you’ll also get to enjoy breathtaking views of the region, especially on a clear day. For a unique experience, ride on a donkey to travel between slopes instead of taking a shuttle bus or ski lift.
These experience tour guides will lead you to the most unique experiences that ordinary tourists do not see.
African Snow - crossing the Atlas Mountains, Morocco on skis
Read also: Morocco Ski Guide
On-site hire shops are available for those who are not bringing their own gear, offering old-fashioned ‘retro’ equipment at an affordable price. There is a surreal element to putting on your ski gear in Morocco. Oukaïmeden is a great option for more free-spirited skiers in search of a new adventurous destination.
However, the high elevation provides ideal conditions during January and February, as they tend to bring snowy weather with perfect ‘spring-like’ skiing conditions. Not bad, once you remember that you’re actually in subtropical Africa.
There is a clear contrast to Western ski resorts. Some runs can be challenging due to the lack of piste signposts as boundaries are not very clearly defined. Additionally, due to its location, Oukaïmeden is completely dependent on its natural environment, and conditions can change drastically from icy hard to soft and slushy snow, or any variation of these.
How to get there: Oukaïmeden has limited transport links, so to visit it’s best to travel by car, which will take you less than two hours. If you are not planning on driving yourself, a shared taxi is the most affordable option - fares from Marrakech are approximately between €50-70 each way.
What are the slopes like? At the bottom of the lifts, you will find a well-kept nursery slope that provides a better environment for beginner’s-level skiing, together with a large family sledding area. The resort offers a small selection of runs, with the longest being just over 2 miles (3km), and the runs from the top of the chairlift being the most challenging.
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Ifrane
Visitors to Ifrane may think they’ve taken a wrong turn and ended up in Bavaria. This town was designed by the French during the protectorate period to mirror an Alpine village. By some accounts it’s also the coldest city in Africa.
Ifrane is often called the Switzerland of Morocco because of its charming Swiss-style architecture. Ifrane is the perfect base for a mini ski trip to the slopes of Michlifen, which can be easily and cheaply reached by taxi from Ifrane. Upon arriving at the ski resort, you will find a few restaurants and a beautiful 5-star hotel.
As in many African resorts, the range of slopes is limited, but the snow is often of good quality in Michlifen and the temperature remains cold, so you can experience a long day of skiing. As you explore, be sure to take the time to explore the interesting architecture of the city of Ifrane.
Algeria
There are two locations in Algeria to ski, Tikjda and Chrea, which are a part of the Tell sub Atlas range. These ski resorts were off limits not long ago as Algeria went through its civil war in the 1990’s.
Chrea
Chrea is 60km south of Algiers and during the troubled times was a military outpost. The area quickly declined but in recent years has seen revitalization. This was once a favorite destination for Algerians and they’re working hard to make what was old, new again.
Chréa was once a charming and vibrant ski resort back in the 1940s, but the ski resort was destroyed in the war. Fortunately, the Algerian government and locals want to bring the resort back to its former glory by installing a gondola and renovating the main slope.
You can spend the day enjoying the snow and the lively atmosphere, as the place is known to be popular with locals during holiday seasons. You can also admire stunning views of the Atlas Mountains, so we recommend ending your day with tea in one of the many tea shops enjoying the incredible and unique surroundings. Don't miss exploring Chréa National Park.
Tikjda Ski Resort
The Djurdjura Mountains of northern Algeria are home to the ski resort of Tikjda. Offering skiing and snowboarding, Tikjda is located in the province of Bouïra, and is very popular among Algerians and tourists alike. The resort is surrounded by stunning scenery.
Skiing Destinations in Southern Africa
The Eastern Cape of southern Africa is home to Ben Macdhui a nearly 10,000 foot tall mountain that is a part of the Southern Drakensberg Range. KwaDuma at roughly the same elevation lies on the border of Lesotho and South Africa and is a part of the same mountain range. If you want to ski in July, these are the spots to hit.
South Africa
Can you ski in South Africa? Well, usually when you talk about the best spots for skiing and snowboarding, South Africa is not the continent that most people consider. However, you will be surprised to know there is a ski resort in South Africa. Skiing in South Africa should be regarded as an alternative to South America or Australia.
If you want to know which resort is the highest in South Africa, its Tiffindell. For snowboarding and skiing, slopes of 2.4 km are available. There are 5 lifts to transport the skiers. It’s winter sports region is sited between the altitudes of 2,700 and 2,930 meters. You can go skiing in Tiffindell during June, July, and August.The resort offers slope-side accommodation for about 150 guests.
Matroosberg ski resort is situated in Western Cape, South Africa. For snowboarding and skiing, slopes of 2 km are available. The total number of ski lifts offered at Matroosberg is 2.
Matroosberg is a private skiing hill, operated by Ski Club of South Africa. The club offers their winter sports facilities to their members. Non-members can participate for a fee. Matroosberg has two permanent ski lifts that are of a ‘schlepplift’ design. The lift system is built in a way that every skier is given their own Ski Lift Attachment.
In total, the ski resort offers marked trails of 1.9 km with 1 km of the trails perfect for beginners. If you want to ski or use the Matroosberg lift systems, you must be a member of the South African Ski Club. Membership costs around $30 per year, which gives you access to skiing for the whole year/season, which is quite affordable.
The resort is actually a farm that offers plenty of adventurous activities throughout the year such as abseiling and mountain biking, so the resort’s motto “The Peak of Adventure” is true.
Tiffindell
Tiffindell in South Africa is a fully modernized ski resort with lifts, snow machines, hill groomers, and a ski school. Tiffindell is one of Africa’s largest and most famous ski resorts, and it’s easy to see why. There is a lot going on at the resort throughout the year, but in winter the lively atmosphere can compete with some European resorts.
The resort encourages you to spend several days in the area by offering packages that include a lift ticket, equipment rental, accommodation and meals for the duration of your vacation. The ski resort has everything you need for a few days in the mountains: bars, restaurants, accommodation and a few varied slopes - even intermediate skiers can enjoy the red slope. Tiffindell’s Winter Sports Academy offers skiing classes for beginners, while its snow park offers jumps and trails for professionals.
You can go skiing in Tiffindell during June, July, and August. Families with children will surely enjoy the described ski resorts. The terrain is simple and ideal for beginners. Beginners will be glad to know that a ski school does exist in TIffendell. The resort is fully functionable, but the owner has listed it up for sale.
Lesotho
Located 124 miles from the savannah at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the Kingdom of Lesotho is home to one of only two ski resorts in sub-Saharan Africa.
Afriski
In Lesotho AfriSki operates another high quality ski resort, on par with American or European resorts. Located high in the Maluti Mountains, sits Afriski Mountain Resort. The slope runs for about 1 kilometer.
Afriski is an interesting destination and to the untrained eye it looks more like an airport runway than a ski resort. The ski resort is located high above the trees, but sometimes struggles to get full snow cover in winter. The low temperatures of the southern winter guarantee snow in the mountains of Lesotho, which are busy every weekend with hundreds of locals and foreign tourists attracted by the exoticism of skiing in Africa in the months of July and August.
Afriski offers a great location for skiing, with alpine-style chalets, restaurants, and snow cannons. Located in the Maluti Mountains, Afriski offers a great location for skiing, with alpine-style chalets, restaurants, and snow cannons.
Other Unique Skiing Experiences in Africa
Ski Egypt
Africa’s first and only indoor ski resort, Ski Egypt is located in Cairo’s Mall of Egypt. Dubbed the North Pole of Egypt, the snow park opened in 2016 to great crowds, and continues to be a haven for ski lovers.
Planning Your Ski Trip in Africa
When planning a trip to Africa, it’s important to pack appropriately for the weather conditions. Lightweight, breathable, and waterproof skiwear is recommended to stay comfortable in varying temperatures. Additionally, travel times to the resorts can be lengthy, so consider extending your trip to fully enjoy the experience.
Traveling to Africa and especially South Africa may be a very long flight. So we recommend heading to these ski resorts as part of a longer trip to get the most out of your possible 10-hour flight. When heading to South African resorts, the best airports are in Cape Town or Johannesburg, with a flight time of approximately 10-13 hours.
Getting to and from the ski resorts from the airport is also not easy and the drive may take up to 9 hours one way. But as we know, South Africa is a big country, so traveling almost anywhere there is a challenge. For other destinations on this list, such as Morocco or Algeria, flight times from mainland Europe are significantly shorter. Flight times range from 3-5 hours to Marrakech and approximately 6-7 hours to Algiers.
Traveling to the Atlas Mountains ski resorts also takes less time and can be reached from the cities and airports in about 2-3 hours. Wherever you are heading, we recommend traveling by local taxis, renting a car or taking a bus, as local train connections are not very well developed. Renting a car also gives you the flexibility and freedom to plan your trip and see more destinations during your vacation.
Cost of Skiing in Africa
When visiting these destinations, you don’t have to worry about overspending your budget. You may spend a little more money traveling to these destinations or as part of a longer trip, but skiing is nowhere else as affordable. Where in the Alps would there be a free lift system or a membership for a year for less than 1000 euros?
We looked at the prices for lift tickets, equipment rental, food/drinks, hotel/Airbnb in each area and gave a rating based on the average cost for 7 nights and 6 days of skiing in mid-January.
Price ranges explained:
- € - Affordable, perfect for skiers / snowboarders on a tight budget
- €€ - Mid-priced, a looser budget is required
- €€€ - More expensive, be prepared to pay top prices
All the best African ski resorts
We have compiled a list of the 6 best ski resorts in Africa. There are resorts in Morocco, South Africa, Lesotho and Algeria. There are two ski resorts in Morocco, one in Oukaimeden and the other in Ifrane Michlifen, but both of these are located in the Atlas Mountains.
Two of the resorts on the list are also located in South Africa, the first of which is Tiffindale, the largest ski resort in the country, and the second is the slightly unusual Matroosberg, which requires membership of the South African Ski Club to use. But let’s take a closer look at the resorts!
Instead of a regular ski trip, we recommend flying a few hours longer and heading south. It’s worth it, as you’ll get to experience African culture, people’s kindness and impressive landscapes.
Table of African Ski Resorts
| Resort | Country | Elevation (m) | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oukaïmeden | Morocco | 2,610 - 3,268 | < 10 | 7 | € |
| Afriski Mountain Resort | Lesotho | 3,030 - 3,222 | < 1.8 | 2 | €€ |
| Ifrane Michlifen | Morocco | 1,880 - 2,060 | < 1 | 2 | € |
| Chréa | Algeria | 1,460 - 1,550 | < 0.5 | 3 | € |
| Tiffindell | South Africa | 2,700 - 2,930 | < 2.4 | 5 | €€ |
| Matroosberg | South Africa | N/A | 2 | 2 | € |
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