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While many countries around the world are facing intense heat, images of the Afriski ski resort in Lesotho, Africa, in July have captured attention as a stark contrast to the current global situation. This African kingdom is nestled within the territory of the Republic of South Africa. Lesotho has a very unique geographical feature: it is the first country on Earth where every inch of its land lies at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level.
This gives Lesotho snowfalls in the southern hemisphere during winter. While white winters are rare in Africa, snow and ski resorts are even rarer. At 3,000 meters, the Afriski resort in Lesotho's Maluti Mountains is Africa's only operational ski resort south of the equator.
“I’ve never seen snow in my life. So this is an amazing experience,” said Kafi Mojapelo, a tourist who traveled a short distance from South Africa to enjoy his first ever skiing holiday.
Bafana Nadida, a tourist from the town of Soweto in Johannesburg (South Africa), was also thrilled to wear ski boots for the first time. He planned a day of learning to ski, taking photos, and playing in the snow.
At Afiski, skiers line up to rent the right equipment. Some visitors are advised by Hope Ramokotjo, a Lesotho resident who has been a ski instructor for 12 years. Ramokotjo's broad smile and warm voice make beginners feel very comfortable.
Afriski's Kapoko Snow Park is the continent's only free-sliding park. Contestants lined up last month for the annual Winter Whip Slopestyle skiing and snowboarding competition. Sekholo Ramonotsi, a 13-year-old from Lesotho's Butha-Buthe, who regularly trains at Afriski, won in the children's skiing and snowboarding categories.
"I really want to go skiing in Europe," said Ramostsi, expressing her dream.
Meka Lebohang Ejindu, born in London, said he has been teaching skiing and snowboarding in Austria for over a decade and this is his first season in the Southern Hemisphere. Ejindu is originally from Lesotho. “A competition like this taking place in southern Africa is heartwarming,” he said.
Afriski may not be able to compare to the sprawling Alpine resorts of Europe, but the love of winter sports is beginning here in this African land.
At Afriski's Sky Restaurant and Gondola Cafe, happy hour begins at 10 a.m., and skiers, clad in their winter gear, happily party with music and beer. Some claim this bar is located at the highest point in Africa, although the Maluti Range is challenged by the Sani Lodge, situated 130 km east on the Lesotho-South Africa border. But what no one can dispute is that this crowd has come skiing in Africa, a continent usually known only for its heat and deserts.
