These ranges serve as a barrier to the Sahara, sheltering the coastal lowlands of the three countries from the desert conditions to the south. The Atlas ranges dominate the landscapes of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, differentiating them from the other North African countries, where desert lowlands prevail. Some authorities also include the Rif range (al-Rif), along Morocco's Mediterranean coast in the Atlas system. From west to east, these include the Anti-Atlas, High Atlas, and Middle Atlas in Morocco the Saharan Atlas, maritime Tell Atlas (itself formed of a series of distinct massifs such as the Ouarsenis, Grande Kabylie, and Petite Kabylie), and Aur ès in Algeria and the Kroumirie, Medjerda, and T ébessa Mountains in Tunisia, which are extensions of the Algerian ranges. This system comprises a series of roughly parallel ranges. “The majority of skiers are foreign, and many are ski touring.The Atlas Mountains extend approximately 1,300 miles (2,090 km) through the Maghrib countries of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia -from the Atlantic Ocean, south of Agadir, to the Mediterranean Sea near Tunis. “People are always looking for new destinations,” says Nordenborg, pitching Morocco as a great alternative. For the 99%, ski tours from respected operators begin around the $1,600 mark for a week, flights not included. Prices begin at $1,050 for a day’s heli-skiing, but you’ll be covering more vertical feet and have access to the steepest chutes and gnarliest runs you could hope for – and none of the legwork of getting to the top. They will have snowboarders interested too, and Nordenborg says both snowsports are flourishing in Morocco. These conditions make for a perfect combination, says Favre. “The snow changes very quickly in Africa because of the high temperatures… You can have powder skiing for one or two days, then it can suddenly turn to spring snow skiing.” Ski-only deals begin at $1,050 a day per person, rising to $1,550 for two days heli-skiing including accommodation at Kasbah Agounsane. Heli-skiing operated by Heliski Marrakech.Pathfinder Travels also includes avalanche equipment and training ($1,582 for eight day trip). Treks via Imlil including transfers, accommodation, food and porters operated by Pathfinder Travels, Imlil Trek and Trek Morocco.Bringing your own ski equipment is essential on treks and heli-skiing, and advisable in Oukaimeden.A day lift pass in Oukaimeden costs approximately $11.All-inclusive day tours operated by Dar Zaman (from $53 pp) and Intrepid Morocco. Fifty mile transfer from Marrakech to Oukaimeden available via taxi and minibus.Premium carriers including British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways all fly direct to Menara Airport, Marrakech.For the casual skier or adventurous beginner, a fun and unconventional day awaits. Runs aren’t pisted as such, meaning virgin snow awaits, and the powder is crisp and dry. The skiable area – often disquietingly empty – tops out at 10,603 feet, 6 feet higher than Val Thorens, France, one of Europe’s most snow-sure destinations. However, this description undersells Oukaimeden. Most rental equipment can be politely described as “retro,” and if drag lifts are a bore you can always hitch a ride on a donkey. With 20 runs and one chairlift it’s on the smaller side by Western standards, and comes with a few quirks. Today it has Oukaimeden, a fully-functioning ski resort at 8,530 feet, the highest in the continent.īut with a boom in ski touring opening up the High Atlas, is one of Africa’s hidden gems experiencing a snow-born renaissance?įifty miles east of Marrakech lies Oukaimeden, Morocco’s most noteworthy ski resort. Intrepid alpinists have strapped on their crampons in Morocco since the era of the French protectorate. Their mountainsides facing west are an avaricious collector of snow throughout winter – enough for a ski season to form between January and March. The Atlas Mountains, rising up in North Africa, have been a skiing curiosity for decades.
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