MOROCCO SKITOURING

Ski tours in High Atlas Morocco are an exotic adventure! Fantastic firn tours of the 4000 m on Djebel Toubkal, the highest peak of High Atlas. On a Morocco ski touring trip you get really close to the country and people away from the tourist hotspots. The Berbers are always friendly companions and the lively Marrakech wakes up in spring. The city is one of the most oriental in the Maghreb.

Although exotic, skitouring on the Atlas are not entirely easy. The ski tours are rather demanding, you often have to use crampons, and short climbing passages are possible. In addition, there is also high altitude. You will climb above 4000 meters!

Morocco Ski Touring (Toubkal, Atlas)

6-10 Days
Min Age : 18+
Ski touring / Ski expedition
Difficulty : 4
Time : Dec. - Mar.
Pickup : Airport / Appart / Hotel

A nine day experience of Morocco. A desert ski adventure in the Atlas among the nomadic Berber people. Downhill skiing from Jebel Toubkal (4165 m), which is the highest peak of the High Atlas. Seven days of beautiful valleys, passes and snow-capped peaks with sleeping in huts and at the Berbers. The diverse image of Marrakech and the expert guidance of a guide and connoisseur of the Atlas.

Recommended Airport

Marrakech Airport (Google Map)

Meeting Point

Marrakech Airport

Starting Point

Imlil (1770 m)

Altitude difference

approx 1000 m per day

Recommended equipment

ski touring equipment (ski, bindings, boots, skins, poles, air bag)

Walking time/ Ski time

approx 6 h/ day

Difficulty

medium difficulty tours

Highlights

Picturesque contrasts, white snow combined with red desert sand
Skiing from the top of the High Atlas Toubkal 4200 m

Price Includes

Guiding
Accommodation with breakfast and dinner
All local transfers

Price Excludes

Travel & health insurance
All meals except breakfasts
Personal equipment

About Atlas Mountains

The High Atlas lies in the east of Morocco and is above all a unique mountain range that, with a length of 1900 kilometers, slowly stretches in an east-west direction. The highest peak of Jebel Toubkal is also the highest peak in North Africa. The nomadic Berbers live in the difficult and at times unfriendly mountain world. The starting point for mountain tours in the Atlas is the city of Marrakech, full of African temperament. The surrounding landscape is sparsely populated and distinctly varied. On the eastern side of the mountain range lies the Sahara, one of the largest deserts in the world. The view of the snow-covered Atlas with the reddish desert in the lowlands is something truly unique.

Few people associate Morocco with touring skiing. However, completely wrong, because the snow on the Atlas in combination with the red desert sand offers the visitor a completely unique feeling. In the vicinity of the highest peak Jebel Toubkal (4165 m), there are some mountain lodges, which are mainly supplied by the French. With some luck, on our ski adventure, we will descend from the top of Toubkal and other peaks along with the fluffy powder and admire the distant Sahara below us.

Photos

Itinerary

Day 1MARRAKECH

This beautiful city is a symbol of Morocco. The streets bounded by the brick colors of the buildings are too narrow to allow the intrusion of traffic into the city center itself. Winston Churchill, who spent his vacation here, named the city “Paris of the Sahara.” The vitality of trading is evident at every turn and very little is needed to try your hand at bargaining with Arab traders. It is even better to do this at Jemaa I-fna Square, which is the main commercial attraction of the city. In Marrakech, after a full day trip, we will treat ourselves to a well-deserved dinner in the city center.

Day 2MARRAKECH - IMLIL

In Marrakesh, we will visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian tombs, the gardens, and the Bahia Palace on a morning trip and treat ourselves to some typical Moroccan dishes and freshly squeezed orange juice in the Jemaa I-fna square. In the afternoon we will drive to Asni and continue to Imlil (1750 m), which is the starting point for our wanderings in the Atlas Mountains.

Day 3IMLIL - TOUBKAL HUT

Early in the morning we will hike on an old mule track to Chamharouch (2284 m), where snow will be waiting for us. We will unload our donkeys and continue on skies to the Toubkal hut (3080 m). In the meantime, we will have a short snack with hot mint tea. We will walk 6-7h that day.

Day 4HUT TOUBKAL - JEBEL TOUBKAL (4167 m)

We will head towards the highest peak of the Atlas in the dark. Following the western kuloar, we will reach the top after 4 am and enjoy the view of the desert below us. Follow the descent back to the hut.

Day 5TOUBKAL HUT - TIMESGUIDA (4089 m)

That day we will head down the valley to the saddle (3750 m) and then on towards the double peak of Timesguid. Return to Toubkal hut.

Day 6HUT TOUBKAL - ADRAR (4045 m)

Climb to the saddle (3875 m), where we will leave our skis and walk towards the top. Followed by a descent along the most beautiful kuloar in Morocco to the hut Toubkal.

Day 7 TOUBKAL HUT - IMLIL - MARRAKECH

Return to Imlil to the friendly locals and then on to re-experience a thousand and one nights in Marrakech.

Day 8MARRAKECH

Morning market visit with abundant and varied shopping. We will also treat ourselves with a traditional hammam and massage.

Day 9MARRAKECH

After breakfast, departure to the airport.

FAQ

Where and when do I meet your team?

Our team will wait for you at the airport. If you are arriving by land meeting point is also at the airport or elsewhere if you let us know where (this service is not included in a price). After the meeting, you will be transferred to your accommodation. Please note, that in some areas, due to a long drive to our base, we provide only one transportation per group, usually in the morning (Iceland, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Altai…). So take into consideration that one extra day and accommodation may be necessary.

Where do I meet my guide?

The guide will arrange a specific meeting location and time with you specifically. Most commonly, this location is at your accommodation or our base.

How much hiking up is involved?

There will be approximately 4-6 hours of hiking broken up in the day and approximately 800~1100 vertical meters of skiing.

Do I need climbing skins?

Yes, all of our ski touring tours require uphill travel, and skins are by far the most efficient way. Skins attach to the base of skis or split-snowboards, peel off at the top of the run, and get stowed in a pocket for the downhill fun.

Can I rent equipment?

You can rent equipment, but you need to inform us at least 21 days before the start of your program. Our trips are in remote areas where there are no shops or rental services, so we need to provide them from a distance. Please note that rental on the spot is usually not available.

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