Skiing in the Atlas Mountains - Morocco

For the last week a team of 8 of us have been 'Skiing' in Morocco. Unfortunately Morocco has had a dry winter so far (unlike most of Europe recently) and there has been little if any precipitation since the first snowfalls in November. Marrakech was sunny and warm...

We arrived in Imlil grateful that there was at least some whiteness in the mountains, and had mules carry our kit just over half way to the hut.

And then skis and bags on our backs for the final hour up to the hut. We stayed in the Refuge des Mouflons (against many peoples recommendation), however the fire was roaring it was 19C inside and the food was amazing and only a little more expensive than the CAF hut which was really cold and rammed full of people. Mohammed the hut guardian was great, mint tea was always ready when we got back from a day out, and after our longer day on Toubkal pop corn as well. 

Day one was spent skiing up to Tizi (col) Afella, there was a real mix of snow conditions - some strange spikey snow about, small patches of hard slab and some soft sugary stuff too. 

Day 2 - Jebel Toubkal, we went up the south cwm with skis on for much of the way and then on our backs for the final hour where the summit slopes had all the snow melted. 

Heading towards the summit with skis on backs

Skiing down the north cwm after a scramble off the summit

End of the day walking back up to the hut

Day 3 - Paul and I decided to go up Raz and Timesguida by the Central Couloir on Raz (PD). A great route up two more 4000m peaks, with great views of Toubkal. The rest of the team skinned up to the col below Timesguida and back to the hut. 

Great food in the Hut - Couscous and Tajins *****

Day 4 - some icefall climbing near the hut and a walk down to Imlil

Waiting for the mule pick up

Omelette in Imlil before some last minute bartering for slippers and heading back to Marrakech

If your interested in mountaineering and climbing in the Atlas please get in touch.