Contemplating Morocco’s established popularity as a sizzling, desert metropolis on the coast and with the Sahara on a whole aspect of the nation, one would not essentially consider Morocco as a location for a ski resort. Nevertheless, the mountains which might be south of Marrakech are capped with snow each winter and so the wealthier inhabitants of the southern components of Morocco have discovered their very own little haven to ski in. This haven is the resort often known as Oukaimeden, which is distinctly Moroccan within the mountains.
Renting the ski gear and ski go for the elevate for just below 250 dhs is kind of the steal. From the precise high of Oukaimeden’s ski elevate, it’s 3273 meters above sea stage and means that you can observe the contemporary and glowing snow. These mountains then backside out right into a valley that appears to come back from a fairy story, picturesque and with a view that makes your breath disappear. Although you’re in Africa, you possibly can swear you have been within the land of the Snow Queen someplace in northern Russia versus being solely a brief approach from the Sahara, surprisingly not Siberia.
The encompassing areas, in addition to Oukaimeden itself, have an incredible view each season, all season, and the areas change superbly with the character. In the course of the summer season it’s really not all that common, however that solely appears to make sense, contemplating its popularity as a winter web site actually has modified the native opinion of the realm. Since it’s recognized for being a web site of winter sports activities, the very best time to remain there’s within the winter, particularly as a two-day jaunt. With the character that’s round Oukaimeden, there’s a great alternative to ski and benefit from the terrain or hike by the mountains as nicely.
A splendidly thrilling expertise, however without delay scary for many who have by no means skied earlier than, the Oukaimeden’s crowning exercise is the truth that it’s a ski resort. Within the midst of Morocco’s desert and subtropical local weather, there are these great mountains that tower south of Marrakech. With this explicit place, snowboarding is just not a local sport, nevertheless it has definitely develop into probably the most common issues to do at this mountain. It’s laborious to suppose that snowboarding can be widespread or snug in Morocco of all locations, however it’s actually not thought of an issue. Actually, the instructors there look like complete naturals on the snow-capped terrain, and there’s no approach that you’d overlook your classes there. It’s extremely uplifting and distinctive to say that one has skied in Morocco.
What’s so extremely surprising, however on the identical time very uncommon and entertaining for this occasion is to see that the mountains are coated in snow by a big season. The season is pretty lengthy for these explicit areas within the nation, however it’s a actually exhilarating web site even through the finish of the season because it will get hotter, the place the snow is now changed by greenery amongst the mountains.
The lodges themselves are beautiful little issues, elegant however on the identical time distinctly a mix of each Moroccan and European kinds. You’ll be able to keep at one in all these little elegant lodges by touring up alongside the highway to Oukaimeden that may scare you in its steep heights, however can be improbable to view.
Like many different cities and cities in Morocco, there’s a extra historical a part of Oukaimeden. Whereas the precise resort is extremely fashionable and enriching for the vacationer, there’s an attention-grabbing authentic settlement that could be a easy 100 meters away from Oukaimeden’s ski elevate. The wealthy get to spend their time on the resort snowboarding, and on this easy little village there are solely easy huts that folks inhabit there, and it exhibits the key distinction between the cultures.
Whereas definitely not anticipated in the course of Morocco, a ski resort is definitely an exhilarating place to be wherever you journey. The Oukaimeden Ski resort in Morocco south of 3 days tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is stunningly lovely, sudden, and fairly elegant.