High in the frosty peaks of Lesotho, Sharon Kadangwe from Malawi is embarking on a unique experience—learning to ski on a narrow strip of snow that snakes down a dry, brown hillside at southern Africa’s only ski resort.
“It’s both exciting and scary,” the 29-year-old arts manager shared as she descended from the ski lift. “It feels like the first time I learned to ride a bike or swim… once you find your rhythm, it becomes fun.”
For Helen, an Ethiopian teacher who only provided her first name, a visit to the Afriski resort in the rugged, mountainous kingdom of Lesotho is a once-in-a-lifetime event. “I wanted so badly to ski in Africa because it’s my continent,” she said. “I’m doing it once, and it will be the last time in my life.”
As pop music fills the air, visitors snap selfies and savor beers in the sun. While some are here to ski or snowboard, others are simply seeking their first experience with snow. Yet, despite the enthusiasm, the future of this unique African ski destination is under threat due to high operating costs and the need for artificial snow during unpredictable snowfall seasons.
Located at 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) in the Maluti Mountains, Afriski—established in 2002—has endured numerous challenges, including the pandemic-related shutdown, to remain operational. It’s the last resort of its kind in the region, following the closure of South Africa’s Tiffindell earlier this year.
“This is where I learned to ski,” said 29-year-old South African Bianca Rentzke, who has been visiting Afriski since she was 11. Now a business owner, she reflected, “I’d love to ski overseas, but this is where I grew up. It’s been amazing to watch it develop.”
Shayne Murray, head of the ski school, echoed her sentiments. “We call this place magical… even though it’s a small hill, there’s something special about it.”
Surrounded by the drought-stricken brown mountains of Lesotho, Afriski’s three modest slopes are covered in artificial snow, produced using water from eight nearby dams. The resort employs around 200 people, mostly from the nearby town of Butha-Buthe, some 70 kilometers (43 miles) away, according to general manager Puseletso Mahlakajoe.
While most instructors hail from countries like France, Germany, and the United States, Afriski is aimed at attracting tourists from the region during its June-to-August ski season. “It’s cheaper to come here than to go to Europe,” Mahlakajoe explained. “We want African kids to grow up loving skiing here so that we can stop hiring instructors from abroad.”
A day pass at Afriski costs 1,200 loti ($66, 60 euros), but keeping the business afloat is a constant challenge. “Our electricity is very expensive, so there are times when we can’t pay a bill because we didn’t make enough,” Mahlakajoe admitted.
In the off-season, the resort hosts conferences and team-building camps to sustain operations. However, Afriski couldn’t open for the 2023 ski season due to power shortages and internal legal issues, managing director Theo Ferreira revealed to AFP.
While the situation is stable for now, Ferreira warned that another major disruption, such as a Covid-like event, could be disastrous. “It would be good to get sponsors,” he noted, highlighting the ongoing pressure on this remarkable yet fragile African adventure.
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