An extreme and unique emotion? Come ski in Africa, or rather, deep within Africa, at its southernmost tip. You can do that by planning your vacation in advance now for … next summer! In South Africa, in fact, skiing is possible in July and August, the months when the southern winter is at its coldest! South Africa actually enjoys a Mediterranean climate, very similar to that of Greece and Sicily. But even in Greece and Sicily snow does fall in winter. You just need to know the right places where to find and enjoy it. And in the case of South Africa, the best snow for skiing is in the Drakensberg Mountains, the Hex River Mountains, and in the region of Lesotho—the latter being an independent state within the South African territory. The ski resorts are served by local airports, but the main international hubs are Cape Town Airport (CPT) and Johannesburg Airport (JNB).
The Drakensberg Mountains
The Drakensberg (or Dragon Mountains) are a range of square-shaped mountains with flat peaks located in the northeastern part of South Africa. To reach them, use Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, and the enclave of Lesotho as reference points. With a maximum elevation of 3,482 meters above sea level, this mountain range receives snowfall annually between June and September. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, these mountains include two national parks: Royal Natal and uKhahlamba Drakensberg.
The Hex River Range
The Hex River mountain range consists of rock formations much gentler and lower than the Drakensberg. Here, in winter and spring, the landscape appears more Alpine than African, and although the snow doesn’t last for months it is thick enough to allow for numerous winter sports. The reference city is Cape Town, while Matroosberg is the tourist capital and the heart of the region. The highest peaks of the Hex River range rise just over 2,000 meters, and dozens of orchards and vineyards nestle at its foot.
Where to Ski in the Drakensberg
If you want to fully experience a skiing adventure in South Africa, head to the Drakensberg. These rugged and challenging mountains offer the best slopes. Once the hub of winter tourism here, Tiffindell was home to six high-quality resorts, now sadly closed forever. For snow adventure enthusiasts, however, the slopes remain – though now unregulated and unsupervised. Due to the lack of facilities, Tiffindell is considered almost a vast “off-piste” area and is recommended only for true experts and professionals.
Also in the Drakensberg is the enclave kingdom of Lesotho, entirely surrounded by South Africa but completely independent. Here, at 3,050 meters asl, lies Afri-Ski. Today this is the only major skiing and snowboarding facility in eastern South Africa. The facilities and supervised slopes (also suitable for beginners) allow you to regain some of the fun lost with the closure of Tiffindell. Two kilometers of slopes and five-star resorts encourage high-level skiing with wild, unique panoramas all around.
Where to Ski in the Hex River
If you prefer the short-lasting, dense snow of the western regions, book a ski trip in the Hex River Mountains, just a short distance from Cape Town. The heart of winter sports here is Matroosberg. This former post station located on the Hex Pass now hosts 2 kilometers of slopes designed for everyone, especially beginners. Ski schools are also located here, complemented by hotels, restaurants, and all kinds of services. Skiing in Matroosberg is ideal for families with children. The main town is De Doorns, which takes its name and origin from an old Dutch ranch.
Indoor Skiing
Cape Town has decided to complement the outdoor sports of Matroosberg with some indoor facilities, which are currently under construction not far from the metropolis. The “Snow Fun” project aims to create a large ice palace where it is also possible to approach the first rudiments of skiing, remaining indoors until you can unleash yourselves on the real slopes. But… only when you have gained good confidence!
