SKI RESORT STATS
Resort height: 3000 meters
Ski Slopes: ten km of skiable slopes
Easy: five kilometers
Intermediate: three kilometers
Difficult: two kilometers
Ski Lifts: seven
Season: The Ski Morocco season usually lasts from December to March. Ideal snowy days are during February and January.
Just one hour from Morocco’s city that is historic, Marrakech, is North African’s finest skiing resort. Indeed, you are able to ski in Africa.
As one of the places with arid and vast deserts, Morocco is not known for ice sports. Nevertheless, you may be amazed when going to the country’s High Atlas Mountain region. It’s exactly where the largest ski resort on the continent is set – the Oukaimeden.
Oukaimeden a sleepy mountain village set at around 2650 meters in the High Atlas. It’s situated across the edge of Jebel Attar mountain and will be the house to Africa’s greatest lift.
The village is seventy five kilometers on the north of Marrakech, the fourth biggest town in the Kingdom of Morocco. Marrakech is a worldwide tourist destination boasting a culture haven Jeemah al Fna square. The snow covered mountains of North Atlas are seen everywhere in Marrakech. Therefore, Oukaimeden is thought the most widely used day trip from the hectic city.
How you can Get There
The travel links to Oukaimeden village are limited. Thus, it’s suggested to go via individual vehicles from Marrakech. If you simply plan to feel skiing a handful of hours through the buzzing heart of Morocco’s capital city, then you’re in hands that are great. The Oukaimeden ski resort is sufficiently small and also may be investigated in 1 day.
To begin, you are able to get from Marrakech towards Setti Fatma city within the Ourika Valley. The final stop before Setti Fatma is the feet on the mountain which directs you to Oukaimeden. To achieve the high mountains, you’re needed to drive a chair lift.
You are able to additionally choose to drive a shared taxi from Marrakech, that often costs 57 80 USD. Obviously, you have to go along with any other passengers about the estimated time of yours of return. These taxis are able to have as many as 6 passengers as well as leave from Rue IbnRochd. When you do not understand exactly where Rue IbnRochd is, it’s good to wonder the locals where taxi stand up and capture the Grand Taxi. The Grand Taxi may be the one car helped to achieve Oukaimeden. It’s usually an old type of a Mercedes automobile.
Oukaimeden Slopes
Despite the size of its, the resort provides a number of functions which are both friendly for newbies and challenging for advanced skiers. The longest slope is only just more than three kilometers.
You will find a total of 7 lifts that accommodates virtually all levels of difficulty. The beginner’s nursery and also the intermediate level slopes are a 6 drag-lifts service. Meanwhile, the chairlift on the advance slopes is one slow moving one. The snowfall in the advance slope feels hard off piste ice.
In comparison to western ski resorts, the Oukaimeden slopes have pistes which are significantly less groomed. Nevertheless, since it’s near sub tropical Africa, you are able to experience the most perfect spring like snow weather that’s neither overly cold or way too warm. A number of functions may be difficult for newbies, as there’s a loss of signposts for boundaries and also piste types. Maybe this’s its geography – the ice conditions are able to change drastically from icy difficult to slushy snow.
Encounter Oukaimeden
The lifts are going to take you with the peak of Jebel Attar. When there, you will find 5 runs for the descent. One day pass is around twenty dolars. Additionally, there are choices for non skiers. You are able to benefit from the distinctions of the panoramic view of the surrounding deserts from the cold mountains.
Based on the tour inclusions, you may have the chance to go back to Marrakesh via the Ourika Valley. This valley is adorned with Berber gardens, apple orchards, fields, and walnut trees. If there is adequate time before sundown, set up a picnic beside the banks of the Ourika River.
For side trip enthusiasts, the Ourika valley is hooked up with any other Morrocan valleys. Have a look at the 4000 year old carvings from at least one!
Accommodation
Here’s everyone’s favorite part: the mountain lodges.
As you will find just a couple of choices for accommodation in Oukaimeden resort, nearly all are definitely ain’t cheap. If you can spare some money, the very best choice for you is Le Courchevel. The resort boasts a multi lingual staff that’s fluent in Arabic, French, and English. Amenities include free buffet breakfast every day, a bar or maybe living room, a 24 hour front desk, plus completely free magazines in the lobby. You will find twenty five rooms with private shower and bathroom.