Afriski is the only skiing resort in

Lesotho Lesotho, formally the Kingdom of Lesotho and formerly known as Basutoland, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Entirely surrounded by South Africa, it is the largest of only three sovereign enclave and exclave, enclaves in the world, t ...

, located 3050 m above sea-level (just below Mahlasela Pass, 3222 m) in the

Maluti Mountains The Maloti Mountains are a mountain range of the highlands of the Kingdom of Lesotho. They extend for about 100 km into the South African Free State. The Maloti Range is part of the Drakensberg system that includes ranges across large area ...

, operating in Southern Africa near the northern border of Lesotho with South Africa.

Overview

Afriski is one of only two ski resorts in Sub-Saharan Africa. The history of the resort dates back to the 1960s, when the Maluti Ski Club was founded in the area and operated ski lodges in the winter season. The resort is a 4.5-hour drive from

Johannesburg Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu language, Zulu and Xhosa language, Xhosa: eGoli ) (colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, Jo'burg or "The City of Gold") is the most populous city in South Africa. With 5,538,596 people in the City of Johannesburg alon ...

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via the steep tarred Moteng pass and the

Mahlasela pass The Mahlasela pass is a tarred pass in the Maloti mountains of Lesotho Lesotho, formally the Kingdom of Lesotho and formerly known as Basutoland, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Entirely surrounded by South Africa, it is the la ...

; it sits along Highway A1. The resort can accommodate about 320 people and offers a 1 km ski slope, beginners slope and operates during the winter months (June–August). Afriski also operates in the summer months and offer a variety of activities, from mountain biking, guided Enduro motorbike trips, paintball, hiking, trail running, and more.

References

Ski areas and resorts in Lesotho {{lesotho-geo-stub

Overview

See also

References