Oukaïmeden, Morocco

Visitor reviews for Oukaïmeden

• January 30, 2008
  Sam Knight from UNITED STATES
  

  Went snowboarding on January 21 and 22. The base is still solid but getting icy and skied off near the summit. Rocks starting to poke through a good bit. The locals said the last snow was on the 7th. The lower T-Bar lift areas looked pretty good still. Chez Juju cooks up an excellent dinner. Be ready to bargain with the Grand Taxi drivers for a decent rate up to the mountain, and you've got to be assertive about it. If you are taking your own gear, you'll have to buy out the taxi. In all, I had a blast and would love to return to l'Oukaimeden someday.

• January 14, 2008
  Ray Clouse from UNITED STATES
  

  Went skiing at Oukaimeden on 27 December 2007. Conditions were pretty good though they definitely needed another good dump. Off the top of the chair coverage was decent enough but stay on the heavier skied runs otherwise you'll run into lots of rocks.
  There were two places I saw where you could rent equipment; go to the one uphill from the first one you get to. The first one tried to charge me 500DH (over US$70). The second shop charges a flat 170DH; much more reasonable. Also, rent a car in Marrakech instead of taking a grand taxi. As a foreigner they'll rip you off big time.

• January 06, 2008
  Jim Thomson from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  1 Jan 2008
  Despite "no report", the lifts at Oukaimeden were open on New Year's Day with good piste conditions on the short lower slopes and some excellent snow on the longer run from the top of the mountain but with some tricky rocky patches to contend with so don't use your own skis!

  The fabulous views and the interesting journey up from Marrakech (not to mention the £3 lift pass and donkey transfers) made this an interesting excursion......but possibly worth a day trip only, unless there is more snow; when I guess the off-piste might be quite extensive.

• February 19, 2007
  James Allder from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  I went up to Oukaimeden on Friday (15th of Feb.) The lifts were shut because there were so few people there. They said that they had been open the day before and would open up on the weekend. The snow was melting fast so it needs a good dump. You can walk up to the top in 1 hour 15 ish and ski down. It is worth it for the view alone.

• January 17, 2007
  Norman from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Hi Domingo.
  I gather that there is not enough snow at the moment. But if you wanted up to date resort information why don't you call the Hotel in Oukaimden and ask them.
  Hotel Kenzi Loupa Tel: 00212 2447 6767
  Regards

• January 02, 2007
  Domingo from SPAIN
  

  Hi,

  I'm planning to visit Oukaimden on the first week of february. Does anybody know where can I find updated resort information (lifts open, snow depth, etc)? Snow-forecast info seems to be out of date (well, may be there is obsolutely no snow and this info is correct ...).

  Thanks

• January 01, 2007
  Norman from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Hi Guys.
  I spent 9 weeks in Marrakech during the months of Sept, October & November. Two of which were spent in Oukaimden. I was lucky enough to be working there ( on a feature film called "Charlie Wilson's War") so all expences were paid. Yes Oukaimden is, by European standards,a poor resort but then again who goes ski-ing in Africa? Only those who are "collectors" or those who are there anyway !
  Although there was some snow when I was there the lifts were not operating and indeed would not be expected to be until Jan/Feb.
  However I have another small contract in Marrakech for the month of February - and I have packed my skis in the container!!!!!
  So I will report back in March.

  >>> london guy. Yes there is a lot of poverty, but I have also seen the locals having drag races with their Ferraris outside Pacha in marrakech at 4 a.m. So some certainly 'aint poor !

• December 19, 2006
  london guy from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Hi. I think Omar is getting a little carried-away and has taken offense at a straightforward remark. It is all relative, and if you come from a wealthy part of Europe, you get the impression that it is very poor indeed. Yes there is some money there too, and there are upmarket facilities too. but Omar, its nothing to be ashamed about, don't have a chip on your shoulder about it, just accept that Europeans will sometimes, like me, be a little shocked at some of the poverty that exists. : ) I still love Morrocco.

• February 23, 2006
  Omar Mkinsi from MOROCCO
  

  I agree about most of what Jeremy Payze from UK said about Oukaimeden, though Morocco is not a "very poor" country because we don't have the facilities available in Europe. As a matter of fact, we find everything we need in the way of facilities in Oukaimeden. Sure it's not Les ALpes but yet, we are proud of our resort. Jeremy, don't use "poor" to descibe this country, because it is Not. We are a developing country and aiming to improve it. I think that people have to talk about each other with respect, otherwise, it is perceived as arrogance. Actually in Oukaimeden you can find all that is needed in a ski resort. Hotels and restaurants offering meals such as "la fondue" or "la raclette" or even hot wine. Personally, I don't own a board but I'm always sure to find a good one for hire. There are several shops renting equipment in the village and at the base. To be true Jeremy what did you expect to find there? a 5 stars hotel? there is a 4 stars hotel with all the services available (hot swimming pool, massage...), maybe you should have brought your whole resort with you...or maybe just have stayed there.

• June 16, 2004
  Jeremy from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Oukaimeden is located 70km or an hour drive south of Marrakech in the Atlas Mountains. The easiest way to get there is a taxi from Marrakech which can cost any where between 300 to 400DH (30-40 Euros). As there is no scheduled bus service you can arrange for the taxi to return to pick you up if you know the day and time you wish to return. Oukaimeden offers a true taste of adventure & a cultural experience along with consistently steep mountain terrain where other tourist's other than Moroccan's are not often found. The small village is set into the side of the red coloured rocks 1km away from the Chairlift and occasionally a donkey can be found to help you make the short trek across.

  Because the temperatures still reach mid 20's in the middle of winter the season is short, so the best time to go is January to Mid-February. The chance of new snow is very slim, however mid-week very few people are there and after a dump long fresh lines can be found inbounds for many days after, with little more than a 5 minute hike back to the base of the chairlift. There are a few short platters at the base for beginners, but the modern new double chair takes you 600 vertical metres to access the mainly advanced steep runs, unless you get off at the mid station for one of the few intermediate runs available. Due to the African sun, the terrain aspects facing the sun all day do not tend to hold the snow and even the chutes and gullies and bowl aspects tend to have hidden shingle rocks as well so it is best to bring one of your old sets of boards or skis unless you have sweet sponsors to hook you up.

  Facilities
  Please be aware this is a very poor country and there is no shelters or developments of any kind at the base. The lift ticket office is a box 2ft by 3ft, there is a small shack 10ft by 7ft that sells refreshments and light snacks, the ski/ board hire is a limited supply of gear laid out on the dirt bank by the car park and don't expect to see any piste groomers other than a heard of goats passing by.

  Accommodation
  There is a couple of hotels (one expensive and one reasonably priced) and for a small fee to a local 'guide', they will take you round some more authentic & traditional style cottages or private houses where you can rent a flat / apartment type set-up with if your lucky a balcony & sun lounges, etc.

  Tips
  - When you are traversing across from the top chairlift, don't be afraid to un-strap and walk across short sections of exposed rock to get to wider out chutes & gullies as this is where you will find your virgin lines with a short walk again back to the base.
  - When done on the mountain for the day, the ridge 10mins walk up from the village has remarkable views at sunset with horizon line upon horizon line stretching down to the flat lands and if you follow walk along the ridge for another 20mins you can sit on the edge of some vertical cliffs looking out over Africa.