| p>When we think of Marrakech we think of a city in | | | | dirhams and the rental of equipment from residents |
| subtropical Africa, at the doors of the Sahara, where | | | | should not cost you more than 60 dirhams per day. |
| Berber dromedary caravans bring their goods to one | | | | Getting there |
| of the most authentic souks in the world. But | | | | There are no scheduled buses to get to the |
| Marrakech, believe it or not, also offers the chance | | | | Oukaïmeden ski resort, but you can arrange for |
| of excellent skiing on the High Atlas mountain range, | | | | a taxi to get you there from Marrakech and pick you |
| at the Oukaimeden ski resort, just over 40 miles or | | | | up for your return into the city for about 300 to 500 |
| an hour drive from the city. Oukaimeden is usually | | | | dirhams. You can also rent a car in the city for |
| visited as a day-trip from Marrakech and offers all | | | | between 30 and 600 dirhams per day, depending on |
| sorts of services and lots of fun. | | | | the season, the type of car and the services you |
| Oukaïmeden summary | | | | require. |
| Oukaïmeden was first opened as a ski resort in | | | | Accommodation and Restaurants |
| 1936 by the Marrakech French Alpine Club. It is | | | | There are several hotels, villas and restaurants at the |
| located at 10738 feet above sea level (3273 meters) | | | | ski resort and the village. One of the two main hotels |
| and is the highest ski resort in Africa and the best | | | | is quite expensive and the other one is reasonably |
| equipped in Morocco as well as one of the most | | | | affordable. For a small fee, you can hire the services |
| popular in the continent, with an average of 24.000 | | | | of a local guide that will take you to a more authentic |
| visitors every weekend during high-season. | | | | and traditional style cottage, villa or private houses, |
| The snow season is quite variable and lasts a yearly | | | | where you can rent a flat with different kinds of |
| average of 120 days, from mid-December to | | | | services and at different prices. |
| mid-April, although snow is quite reliable from January | | | | Leisure |
| until late March or early April. | | | | Besides skiing, there are several exciting leisure |
| The Oukaïmeden ski resort has a relatively | | | | activities that you can practice while at |
| modest skiing area, of around 300 hectares, but very | | | | Oukaïmeden. You can go trekking and discover |
| interesting, including 3 black, 8 red, 4 blue and 3 green | | | | the amazing landscapes that the Atlas Mountains |
| trails. It also has the highest chair lift in Africa, at | | | | offer, as well as the wide variety of birds and plants |
| 7545 feet above sea level, as well as 6 ski lifts with | | | | for nature-lovers. You can also go fishing in one of |
| a capacity for over 4.000 skiers per hour. There are | | | | the many rivers and lakes in the area, where you will |
| several projects on the way in order to develop the | | | | find carp, bass and trout. Also, you can visit some of |
| ski resort, such as a plan to equip its trails with | | | | the most amazing archaeological sites in Morocco, |
| artificial snow machines. | | | | where you will find several cave paintings dating back |
| Currently, the entrance fee to the resort costs just | | | | to 2.100 years BC. |
| 10 dirhams, the half-day forfeit for skiing costs 30 | | | | |