Skiing Lesotho's Next Big biz

...As Skiing season sets in

The main areas for skiing in Lesotho are the ranges of the Maluti and Oxbow, and the ski season normally runs from May to September.

Afri-Ski Leisure Kingdom offers some amazing skiing and snowboarding opportunities at a 10,000-foot altitude.

The terrain stretches across more than 1,000 acres. There are three slopes and two ski lifts, while several alternative activities are on hand in the summer months.

The oldest resort in Lesotho is the mountain resort of Oxbow. Oxbows are located at more than 8,000 feet above sea level and have a healthy vertical of over 2,000 feet.

Unfortunately, there is only one trail here, which is open to skiers and snowboarders as well as one ski lift. If you don't have your own ski equipment you can hire from the Oxbow Lodge but they have limited stock so rather hire equipment in Johannesburg from the Ski Deck.

The Ski Deck staff advises a couple of dry slope lessons if your skiing is not proficient. They offer specials on lessons during the mid-year period. If you require information about the conditions you can obtain that from, if you've booked way in advance, there is no way of guaranteeing you'll hit snow. But snow or no snow, the area is beautiful and the mountain walks are lovely.