| Considering Morocco's established reputation as a hot, | | | | mountains that tower south of Marrakech. With this |
| desert city on the coast and with the Sahara on an | | | | particular place, skiing is not a native sport, but it has |
| entire side of the country, one wouldn't necessarily | | | | certainly become one of the most popular things to |
| think of Morocco as a location for a ski resort. | | | | do at this mountain. It is hard to think that skiing |
| However, the mountains that are south of Marrakech | | | | would be common or comfortable in Morocco of all |
| are capped with snow every winter and so the | | | | places, but it is truly not considered a problem. In |
| wealthier population of the southern parts of | | | | fact, the instructors there seem like total naturals on |
| Morocco have found their own little haven to ski in. | | | | the snow-capped terrain, and there is no way that |
| This haven is the resort known as Oukaimeden, | | | | you would forget your lessons there. It is incredibly |
| which is distinctly Moroccan in the mountains. | | | | uplifting and unique to say that one has skied in |
| Renting the ski equipment and ski pass for the lift for | | | | Morocco. |
| just under 250 dhs is quite the steal. From the actual | | | | What is so incredibly shocking, but at the same time |
| top of Oukaimeden's ski lift, it is 3273 meters above | | | | very unusual and entertaining for this event is to see |
| sea level and allows you to observe the fresh and | | | | that the mountains are covered in snow through a |
| sparkling snow. These mountains then bottom out | | | | large season. The season is fairly long for these |
| into a valley that seems to come from a fairy tale, | | | | particular areas in the country, but it is a truly |
| picturesque and with a view that makes your breath | | | | exhilarating site even during the end of the season as |
| disappear. Even though you are in Africa, you could | | | | it gets warmer, where the snow is now replaced by |
| swear you were in the land of the Snow Queen | | | | greenery amongst the mountains. |
| somewhere in northern Russia as opposed to being | | | | The lodges themselves are gorgeous little things, |
| only a short way from the Sahara, surprisingly not | | | | elegant but at the same time distinctly a mixture of |
| Siberia. | | | | both Moroccan and European styles. You can stay at |
| The surrounding areas, as well as Oukaimeden itself, | | | | one of these little elegant lodges by traveling up |
| have an amazing view every season, all season, and | | | | along the road to Oukaimeden that can scare you in |
| the areas change beautifully with the nature. During | | | | its steep heights, but can also be fantastic to view. |
| the summer it really is not all that popular, but that | | | | Like many other cities and towns in Morocco, there is |
| only seems to make sense, considering its reputation | | | | a more ancient part of Oukaimeden. While the actual |
| as a winter site really has changed the local opinion of | | | | resort is incredibly modern and enriching for the |
| the area. Since it is known for being a site of winter | | | | tourist, there is an interesting original settlement that |
| sports, the best time to stay there is in the winter, | | | | is a simple 100 meters away from Oukaimeden's ski |
| especially as a two-day jaunt. With the nature that is | | | | lift. The rich get to spend their time at the resort |
| around Oukaimeden, there is a wonderful opportunity | | | | skiing, and in this simple little village there are only |
| to ski and enjoy the terrain or hike through the | | | | simple huts that people inhabit there, and it shows |
| mountains as well. | | | | the major difference between the cultures. |
| A wonderfully thrilling experience, but at once scary | | | | While certainly not expected in the middle of |
| for those who have never skied before, the | | | | Morocco, a ski resort is certainly a thrilling place to be |
| Oukaimeden's crowning activity is the fact that it is a | | | | wherever you travel. The Oukaimeden Ski resort in |
| ski resort. In the midst of Morocco's desert and | | | | Morocco south of Marrakech is stunningly beautiful, |
| subtropical climate, there are these wonderful | | | | unexpected, and quite elegant. |