Afriski Turns 25

Lesotho’s Afriski, one of the world’s newest ski centres and possibly the only outdoor ski area still operational in Africa, is celebrating 25 years since opening.

The resort, which this week reports its main run is complete, says it is planning to celebrate with a special event on July 25^th, which will also mark it’s “Christmas in July” celebrations and their Holimo: Whiskey, wine and jazz festival.

Talking about completing its main run, a resort spokesperson commented, “Having achieved this is a true mark of dedication from everyone especially the snow-maker team, the groomers and the engineers for making sure there was ample water and power supply throughout! Above all we cherish Mother Nature for blessing us with so much powder, we couldn't have expected this on Afriski's 25th anniversary.”

Africa is the only continent that currently has ski areas in both northern and southern hemispheres. However, Afriski may be the only commercial ski area on the continent currently operational – if we exclude indoor snow centres in Egypt.

North Africa has a long history of northern hemisphere winter skiing in the Atlas Mountains dating back almost a century, but the old ski centres appear to have ceased offering skiing and lifts have not been upgraded or replaced. There are frequent reports of lifts not operating at the largest still operating, Morocco’s Oukaïmeden. Numerous reports of planned upgrades and investments over the last five decades have each failed to happen. Reports from other North African centres including smaller Moroccan areas and Algeria’s Chréa indicate lifts no longer operating.

Elsewhere in the southern hemisphere part of Africa, South Africa’s only ski area, Tiffindell, has not operated since 2019 and has been for sale for several years.

All this means that Afriski may not only be the only operational ski area on the continent but also one of the world’s most isolated lift-accessed ski areas, the next closest operational centre many thousands of miles away.