Though Morocco is likely not the first destination that comes to mind when you think about Skiing. But, Morocco holds its own when it comes to fresh powder.
There are two main ski areas in Morocco—Oukaimeden and Michlifen. Each has its own appeal, so keep reading to find out more about sing the slopes of Morocco.
Before You Go Skiing in Morocco
One question many have before they hit the slopes of Morocco is: do I need to bring my own ski gear?
The general answer is no—as it would not only be cumbersome to lug ski gear around twisting alleys and into tight spaces in a riad.
Any ski gear is cheap to rent. Just make sure you rent from official shops, rather than the unofficial street vendors you may see on the way to the hill.
Sking may not be your main purpose when visiting Morocco, but if it is a primary reason, you should stay in a nearby city.
Staying directly at a ski resort leaves you a bit isolated, and the accommodations can sometimes leave you wanting more.
It is better to make day trips out to the mountain, so plan for travel costs within your ski budget.
If you are a skier with some background and experience managing rocky runs or unkempt slopes, Morocco’s ski resorts will be an exciting place for you to go.
Think of it this way—these aren’t Olympic-class, groomed slopes that offer pristine conditions and top-of-the-line gear.
Rather, the slopes in Morocco will offer a fun, and sometimes chaotic, run that will be sure to leave you remembering the adventure.
But hey, how many travelers can say they had a chance to ski down a wintry Moroccan mountain and in Africa?
Oukaimeden
Only forty-five minutes from Marrakesh, this ski resort is quite easy to access. Our suggestion is to make Marrakesh your home base and take day trips to the resort from the city.
When you arrive, you will find that day passes are quite inexpensive; as is the rental equipment, though it is outdated.
The longest run in Oukaimeden is Jebel Attar. This tall peak has five different runs down the mountain, the longest one at 3.2 kilometres.
The runs are definitely challenging, so intermediate to advanced skiers should make their way up to the top.
The most popular run—Grand Combe—is steep and packed with moguls. Another popular run is Pistes des Mouflons, a wider, more open trail.
If you are not sure how you’ll fare down Jebel Attar, there is a shorter lift as well. To get between runs, you can hire a donkey to give you a ride—a fun Moroccan twist on a ski adventure.
The great thing about the runs at Oukaimeden is that they do not just take you down the hill.
You get a chance to ski some mountain trails and some back country runs, giving you a chance to breathe the fresh mountain air and enjoy peaceful, uncrowded sking.
If you want a ski instructor to show you around and guide you through the hill, this is an option as well.
Talk to the workers in the rental shop or where you buy your tickets and they will point you in the direction of an official guide—someone from the Oukaimeden Ski Instructors’ Association.
You’ll see some guides at the top of the lifts as well, calling out and advising they can assist you, but be wary with these guides.
They are usually unofficial, and many have no real knowledge of the slopes or the conditions.
Oukaimeden is not just for sking—it is also a great place for families to come and enjoy the snow.
There are restaurants on the hill that feature French-Moroccan cuisine, an area for sledding, and a separate lift for those that want to go to the top and admire the breathtaking views.
For those looking to travel to Morocco and try sking in a few years, you may have the chance to experience luxury sking at its finest.
A Dubai-based company is in the works of a new investment that will bring luxury hotels, groomed runs, top-of-the-line chairlifts and more to Oukaimeden.
Michlifen
A smaller resort, this snowy destination is not far from the city of Fez.
You can stay in the city as well and make a day trip to the hill, but there are also hotels such as the Michlifen Ifrane nearby that really embodies a Moroccan winter in its beauty and tranquility.
Ifrane is a small town on the edge of the resort that reminds visitors of a quaint Swiss resort town, a strange thing to find in the middle of Morocco but filled with charm.
The small town is a lovely spot to stay for a few days if you want cooler weather and a break form the big cities of Morocco.
Ifrane is a locally-loved winter getaway, and travelers that find this quiet spot are pleasantly surprised.
As Michlifen is a smaller ski resort built in the 1950s, skiers that come to this hill may be wise to bring their own gear—the rentals here are not only outdated but can sometimes be in poor condition.
There are two lifts on the hill, and it takes you up to an elevation topping out at about 2,000 metres. The lifts are not always operational, so check before you make your way to the hill.
The hills here are less steep than those you find in Oukaimeden, which is a benefit to many who are wary of the choppy runs at Oukaimeden.
Heading down the slopes is an ideal way to have fun outdoors, enjoy the weather and stay active while doing something unique.
If you are here to enjoy the snow and have grown tired of sking, you can also sled on the hill as well. This is a great destination where you can hang out with locals that love the snow.
An unexpected skiing destination, Morocco never ceases to amaze visitors. If you travel during the cooler winter months, make a point of getting out to a ski hill even if it’s just for a day.
It is a distinctive adventure that will differ greatly from any other ski resort you’ve been to in your travels, with a wholly Moroccan flair to it.
From the beginner to the advanced, there is a ski destination in Morocco that will create a unique adventure picked just for you.