Afriski

Afriski sits high in the Maluti Mountains in Lesotho, with skiing roughly between 9,941 and 10,571 feet and a vertical drop of about 1,001 feet. It’s a small setup by international standards, with around 1.1 to 1.1 miles of runs and 2 lifts, plus a snowpark.

Snow is a distinctive part of the experience here. The elevation helps, but the climate means natural snowfall can be inconsistent and at times thin. That’s why snowmaking is essential and often fills in the gaps to keep a skiable run throughout the season, which typically falls during the Southern Hemisphere winter, roughly June through August.

Off-piste and tree skiing aren’t the main draw, mainly because the area is small and the surrounding terrain is often open and treeless. You can find some side terrain when there’s enough natural snow, but Afriski is primarily a place for groomed runs, the park, and the unusual feeling of skiing at high altitude in the middle of southern Africa.