Thousands flock to African ski hub

One may not expect thousands to flock each winter to Lesotho, but for many ski enthusiasts from across southern Africa, the small, landlocked mountain kingdom has become the go-to place in recent years.

Lesotho's high elevation and mountainous terrain combine to make it the coldest country on the continent, with temperatures in the highlands typically plunging to-8 C between June and August.

The Afriski Mountain Resort, some 3,200 meters (10,499 feet) above sea level, nestled in the northern Maluti Mountains, is Lesotho's single fully operational ski resort — and the only one in sub-Saharan Africa.

The majestic snow-covered landscape is ideal for skiing, and both seasoned and novice visitors enjoy the slopes that are spread over 17 hectares surrounding the resort — about the size of 24 standard soccer pitches.

The resort opened 25 years ago, a short bus or car ride from the nearest major town of Butha-Buthe, about 80 kilometers away.

Last year, tourism contributed about seven percent to Lesotho's annual GDP of some $2.6 billion. For its part, Afriski provides a chunk of needed cash to a country cited by the World Bank as one of the poorest in the world — and its artificial snow machines ensure it stays open throughout the Southern Hemisphere's winter.

No one's heard of it

US President Donald Trump may have joked in 2025 about Lesotho being a country that "nobody has ever heard of", but just a year earlier, the kingdom, bordered on all sides by South Africa and with a population of 2.3 million, celebrated 200 years of the founding of the Basotho nation and 58 years of independence from British rule.

Located in its entirety at and over 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above sea level, Lesotho sees a lot of snow — and skiing is growing in popularity there from just being a niche sport previously mainly associated with North America and the European Alps.

Most people drive into Lesotho from neighboring South Africa, but international visitors can also fly in to the airport in Maseru, the country's capital.

Afriski's CEO, Theo Ferreira, says almost 70 percent of its visitors come from South Africa; the rest are mostly from Lesotho or elsewhere in southern Africa.

The resort now has 227 full-time and seasonal employees, nearly all Lesotho nationals, with about 30 South Africans, working mainly as skiing instructors, he said.

While the resort has rooms for 420 overnight guests, the nearby towns of Butha-Buthe and Mohlokong can offer extra accommodation during peak season.

The busiest day so far this year saw over 1,400 visitors, while in 2025, the record was over 1,600 day visitors and those staying overnight or longer, Ferreira said.

Because unreliable weather patterns can make natural snow scarce, the resort relies on artificial snow to make skiing possible all winter long.

Distinguished destination

The resort has played role in helping ski tourism emerge as another attraction in southern Africa, more famously known for its wildlife and scenic coastlines along the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.

For many visitors, Afriski is where they had their first skiing lessons, braving falls and dusting themselves off before having another try, and another — until making that first, full glide down the slop without falling.

Janco Smits, a student from Cape Town, South Africa, describes it as "an amazing slope to learn on".

"At the start, it was a little discouraging because you fall, and you fall hard," he said.

"But the people here, they gave me one lesson and, after an hour, honestly, I felt confident."

"When you think of the African continent, you don't think of snow. You think about the sun and the Sahara (Desert)," said Thato Ramaphoko, a first-time visitor to the resort from Pretoria, South Africa's capital. "But the fact that you can actually go to all that, and also come here, and it also snows at the same time, it is just mind-blowing, so I just had to see it for myself."

Visitors at Afriski can also sample a taste of Lesotho in the form of traditional sausage rolls and Maluti Lager, the country's proudly home-brewed beer.

As for a souvenir to take home, many opt for the colorful Basotho blanket, which comes in vibrant colors and patterns that also pop up in local garments and are creatively integrated into various skiing jackets and gear.

AP