This Is What Skiing in Africa Looks Like
Africa, the second-largest continent, contains endless travel destinations. The region is vast, boasting a range of unforgettable adventures, like going on safari to witness the great wildebeest migration, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, or getting up close to the mountain gorillas across East Africa.
Add skiing to the never-ending list of adventures to be found throughout the continent. Keep in mind, the region operates on a different climate schedule, which means July is actually the best time for a run down a snowy mountain. If you think about it, this is a good thing for ski lovers: When most of the Northern Hemisphere resorts are closing for the spring and summer, you know where to go to keep the adrenaline flowing. Below, AD surveys six venues in Africa that provide fresh powder skiing, or hitting a sand dune for an experience like no other.
Photo: Getty Images/Christian Aslund1/6Oukaïmeden (near Jebel Toubkal, Morocco)
Arrive in Marrakech and then take about a two-hour drive south to the Atlas Mountains to reach Oukaïmeden. The spot is stunning, and the resort makes it easy for guests to explore the surroundings. There are ski tours, lessons from professional instructors, and in-depth itineraries that allow tourists to check out the villages outside the resort.
Photo: Courtesy of Afriski Mountain Resort2/6Afriski Mountain Resort (Lesotho)
The luxury accommodations at Afriski Mountain Resort are situated in the Drakensberg-Maluti Mountains of Lesotho, officially known as the Kingdom of Lesotho. This enclaved country is bordered by South Africa on all sides. The peak is more than 10,000 feet above sea level, making it one of the top ski experiences in Africa.
Photo: Getty Images/Klaus Brandstaetter3/6Namib Desert (near Swakopmund, Namibia)
Snow is scarce in Namibia. And while traditional skiing isn’t an option, the locals have gotten creative by making the most out of the desert terrain. A popular slope-inspired pastime is now sandboarding the world’s oldest desert (aka the Namib Desert). The best part is, it’s available year-round.
Photo: Getty Images4/6Tiffindell (South Africa)
Treat yourself to a getaway at the only ski resort in South Africa, which has been voted among the best in the world. The resort is at an altitude of over 8,900 feet, the highest in the Cape. It’s complete with skiing and snowboarding, and you must grab a drink at Ice Station 2720—simply for bragging rights of being at South Africa’s highest-altitude pub.
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Photo: Courtesy of Ski Egypt5/6Ski Egypt (6th of October City, Egypt)
For those who have been to Ski Dubai in the UAE, picture a similar space, only now you’re at the Mall of Egypt in Cairo. Ski Egypt is the first indoor ski resort in Africa and has 236,806 square feet of winter wonderland fun. In addition to a mini version of skiing, there’s bobsledding, tubing, and even snow penguins. All in all, it’s perfect for the whole family and the ultimate escape from Egypt’s desert sun.
Photo: Getty Images/Friedrich Schmidt6/6Sahara Desert (Algeria)
Skiing isn’t what you’d expect in Algeria. Instead of snow, the sport is done on sand dunes in the Sahara Desert. Going down is the thrill of a lifetime, but getting back up the dune to do it all over again is the challenge; sadly, there are no chair lifts (yet).
