Winter on the Roof of Africa: Lesotho’s Snowy Escape Draws Thousands

When you think of Africa you probably picture sun‑baked savannas, not powdery slopes. Yet, tucked away in the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho, Afriski Mountain Resort is proving that winter sports can thrive on the continent’s roof.

Located near the town of Butha‑Buthe, about 80 km from the capital Maseru’s airport, the resort sits roughly 3,200 metres (10,499 ft) above sea level. It’s a modest‑sized ski area – 17 hectares, which is roughly the size of 24 soccer fields – but the altitude makes up for the limited acreage, delivering reliable snow most of the season.

Founded around 2001, Afriski celebrated its 25th birthday just a few years ago. Since then, it’s grown from a novelty for a handful of locals into a genuine magnet for winter‑sports enthusiasts across southern Africa. According to CEO Theo Ferreira, about 70 % of the guests now hail from South Africa, with the rest coming from Lesotho itself and a sprinkling of other neighboring nations.

This year, the busiest day already saw more than 1,400 visitors on the slopes – a figure that nudges close to the all‑time record of over 1,600 day‑visitors set in 2025. The resort can accommodate 420 guests overnight on its own property, and the nearby towns of Butha‑Buthe and Mohlokong add even more rooms for those who want to linger after the lifts close.

Employment at Afriski is also on the rise. The resort employs 227 full‑time and seasonal staff, most of whom are Lesotho nationals, plus roughly 30 South African ski instructors who bring expertise and a dash of international flair to the mountain.

Beyond the thrills on the hill, the ski industry is becoming an economic pillar for the tiny kingdom. Tourism now accounts for about 7 % of Lesotho’s GDP, which the government estimates at roughly $2.6 billion. For a country of 2.3 million people that has been independent since 1966, that’s a welcome slice of the pie.

Of course, the snow isn’t entirely natural. Afriski relies heavily on artificial snowmaking equipment to keep the pistes open, especially when the winter rains are shy. Still, the sight of African families bundled up, laughing on a slope against a backdrop of snow‑capped peaks is a reminder that the continent’s landscapes can surprise you.