Afriski WinterFest Lesotho

Hands up if you’ve been curious about skiing, snowboarding or just snow but it seemed too far away or expensive? Yeah, same. Until the crew at Ashanti Travel Online wised up and heard about: 1. The fact that it snows in Lesotho, one of the two quiet little kingdoms landlocked by South Africa and 2. The fact that there is a ski resort there which was holding it’s annual WinterFest music/ski/snowboard festival for the third time last month. SOLD.

This is what you need to know.

1. Afriski is the highest ski resort in Africa

A lot of Africa’s highest points are in Lesotho, including the highest pub. Afriski takes it for highest ski resort at 3200M.

2. This is probably the cheapest ski/snowboard/music combo you’ll find for an entire weekend

If you never thought budget skiing was a thing, you’re wrong! Afriski has accommodation ranging from chalets to apartments to a backpackers’ area with dormitories and even a campsite. Weekend passes to the festival including gear rentals, ski/snowboard instruction and accommodation start at R2500 with day passes from R400. No lie.

3. The music is an exciting combination of Basotho and South African artists

The line-up this year consisted of four rocker dudes from Pretoria, a singer/shepherd from Maseru, a young rapper from Jozi, a Top Billing presenter-cum-singer and everything in between. Be prepared to discover new music and celebrate up-and-coming local artists.

4. The drive up to and down from the resort will take your breath away

Lesotho is known as the ‘Mountain Kingdom’ or the ‘Kingdom in the Sky’ and with good reason. The landscapes are majestic and unlike anything you will see elsewhere – even more so in the winter when it’s covered in snow. The risk of altitude sickness is more than worth it!

5. It’s in the ideal spot for a combination trip

Afriski is right at the Northern border of Lesotho, but being such a small country you can easily hit the road and explore the Katse dam, the capital Maseru and even Johannesburg to the north-west or Durban via the Drakensberg Mountains to the south-east.

Hopefully this list has convinced you to visit Lesotho and the Afriski Festival. If your not convinced yet check out the video below made by our friends at FestivalWorlds.