Afriski: Lesotho's Only Ski Resort

Alan Taylor
July 17, 2018
15 Photos
In Focus

High in the Maluti Mountains of the Kingdom of Lesotho, sits Afriski, one of only two ski resorts in southern Africa (the other, Tiffindell, is in the same mountains, just over the border in South Africa.) The resort summit is about 10,600 feet (3,222 m) above sea level, with a slope running about 1 kilometer. Much of the winter, snow on the ground can be sparse, so snow-making machines fill in the gaps, creating a giant white stripe on the treeless landscape. AFP photographer Marco Longari visited Afriski last week, capturing images of the skiers and snowboarders playing and training at this remote resort.

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A view of the ski resort Afriski, in the Maluti Mountains, in the Kingdom of Lesotho, on July 11, 2018. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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A skier is helped by an attendant at the lift at Afriski on July 10, 2018. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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A ski instructor encourages a young learner at the top of the main 1km slope, in the Maluti Mountains, on July 11, 2018. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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A snowboarder performs a backflip at Afriski on July 10, 2018. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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This photo taken on July 11, 2018, shows the 1-kilometer main run of the Afriski resort. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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Attendants share a light moment at one of the attractions at Afriski on July 10, 2018. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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South African alpine skier competing for the 2018 Winter Olympics, Conner Wilson, photographed after a training session at Afriski on July 10, 2018. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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Snowboarders arrive at Afriski on July 10, 2018. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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This photo taken on July 11, 2018, looks down on the Afriski beginners slope and the surrounding Maluti Mountains. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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Thabang Mabari, age 10, from Lesotho, son of the chief maintenance officer at Afriski, holds the T-bar of the ski lift on July 10, 2018. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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Ski enthusiasts queue at the ski-lift on July 10, 2018. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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Skiers reach the top of the main 1km slope on July 11, 2018. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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Snowboarders gather at the top of the main slope on July 11, 2018. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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Snowboarders perform jumps at Afriski on July 10, 2018. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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A young skier enjoys a run at Afriski on July 10, 2018. #

Marco Longari / AFP / Getty

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