Some may find the question of whether it is possible to ski in Morocco surprising: many people associate this country with heat and desert, as both factors are very present in the climate and geography of the country. However, more surprising is the answer to this question, as we show you in the following lines. So if you like snow and want to introduce it in your premium trip, be sure to read this post.
Yes, you can ski in Morocco
Indeed, yes, you can ski in Morocco, because in this country there are also the opposite factors to those mentioned above: in certain regions and periods of the year it is cold and snowy. And that, together with the mountainous orography of these places, means that there are some facilities dedicated to this winter sport.
In Morocco, the mountain ranges are, broadly speaking, four: the Rif, the Anti Atlas, the Middle Atlas and the High Atlas. The Rif is in the north and can be considered a continuation of the Betic System of southern Spain, while the other three form a large mountain range in the center and south of the country. However, only in the Middle Atlas and the Middle Atlas does it snow regularly in winter.
It is true that there are few ski resorts, as we will see in the next section, which implies that skiing is not very well established in the country: Moroccans themselves are not in the habit of ‘escaping’ to the ski resorts regularly, and for many the fact of seeing and touching the snow is already a unique experience, as they do not have the opportunity to do it many times.
In fact, for many people, the attraction of going to snowy mountain areas is simply to throw snowballs, make snowmen and sled, especially if there are children on the expedition, but without great pretensions or sophistication in the equipment or the activity itself.
Where to ski in Morocco
Among local citizens, one of the most popular places for skiing in Morocco is Michlifen, in the Middle Atlas Mountains, near Ifrane and its National Park, at an altitude of about 2,000 meters above sea level. However, it is not a ski resort as such, as it has only several lifts and a few slopes to descend, more suitable for sledging than for skiing.
In any case, in the surroundings there are rental stations for boards, skis and sleds, for those who want to descend according to their abilities. There are also some hotel establishments, which not only serve the resort but the whole area. The resort usually operates on holidays and weekends during the winter season, when there is enough snow for the activity.
The Oukaimeden station, located about 70 km from Marrakech , is more professionalized and equipped. Marrakechin the High Atlas Mountains. Here, the elevation of the site ranges from 2,200 to 3,200 meters above sea level, approximately. And its facilities are equipped with the comforts that a user of this snow sport could expect.
However: at a more humble level than in the big resorts of Europe and North America, since it has only 20 km of skiable surface, for a total of 18 slopes, of which 8 are red and 3 black. 1 chairlift and 6 ski lifts make up the set of lifts to move around the enclosure, whose ski pass is available from 15 € per person and half a day. It also offers rental of all types of equipment, both complete and for items, either for adults or for children.
In short, you can ski in Morocco, although the season here is shorter and the facilities are more basic than in other countries. But it is one of the few options to practice this sport in Africa, and that already gives it a certain charm. So if you want to organize this premium experience, just contact us.
