OUKAÏMEDEN Ski lift at 3268 m

Oukaimeden, Morocco

 

The snow falls in the mountains just south of Marrakech every winter. And it stays. Wealthy people from all over southern Morocco, have since long learned how to enjoy skiing in their own country and has given the ski resort Oukaïmeden a distinct Moroccan touch, too.

You don’t need to bring your ski equipment all the way from home, all you need can be rented, and you should get away with 250 dh paid for a full day here (included a lift pass). And when you stand on the top of the ski lift, 3273 meters above sea level, looking out on sparkling snow, that ends in the fairy tale valley below, remember to stop for a minute or two. You’re in subtropical Africa, you know!

Oukaïmeden and the areas around are some of the greatest in Morocco, with four seasons, and ever-changing nature. In summer, few people enter this area — it is too well known for winter sports, I guess. But staying here a day or two is a real treat. Enjoying the luscious nature around you, or setting out trekking in the mountains are both excellent possibilities.

Further reading on this region see Toubkal Massif.

Oukaimeden, Morocco

 

Skiing in January

Oukaimeden, Morocco

 

Oukaimeden, Morocco

I was thrilled — and a bit scared. As a Norwegian, I should have been “born with skies on my legs” as we say in this nation that gave birth to the word “ski”. But I had not been out skiing for 18 years!

But the thought of getting back to skiing of all places in Morocco, and getting a course from a local instructor sounded so exotic to me that I could not let the chance pass when I heard that there was snow in the mountains when I visited Marrakech in January 2000.

Oukaimeden, Morocco

 

I’m sliding!!!

Oukaimeden, Morocco

 

Oukaimeden, Morocco

 

It was really amusing to watch all those Moroccans that put skis on for the very first time in their lives. Realizing that they were sliding, made a few of them scream. Seeing it from the side, like in the second photo, a person sliding at turtle speed and screaming, are scenes I never will forget.

The top photo was the making of a TV commercial, the lady in the scene was far more in control, luckily.

Oukaimeden, Morocco

Houses for the snow


Oukaimeden, Morocco

Oukaimeden, Morocco

There is a striking difference in cultures in Oukaïmeden. This inhabited village of the simplest huts seen on Moroccan territory is less than 100 meters away from the ski lift where the rich enjoy themselves through the winter months.

High altitudes


Oukaimeden, Morocco

Oukaimeden, Morocco

Even if the road is in good condition, the drive up to Oukaïmeden involves a couple of scary experiences. At many points, there is little between your steering wheel and the precipice. But the view compensates: the landscape is simply fantastic with even stronger colors than you usually find around the rest of Morocco.

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