Europeans Feel the Summer Heat, While Some Africans Go Skiing
While millions across Europe live through a summer of record-breaking heat, others are skiing down snowy mountains in Africa.
This is not another sign of climate change. Rather, it is a result of the special climate of Lesotho. Lesotho is a small mountainous nation surrounded by South Africa. It is the only country on Earth where its whole land surface sits more than 1,000 meters above sea level.
That gives Lesotho snow during the southern hemisphere's winters. Cold winters are not rare in southern Africa. But snow is rare.
And ski resorts are even rarer. At a height of 3,000 meters above sea level, Afriski is Africa's only ski resort south of the equator. It is in Lesotho’s Maluti Mountains.
Fresh snow covers the Afriski ski resort near Butha-Buthe, Lesotho, Saturday July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
“I've never seen snow in my life,” said Kafi Mojapelo. She traveled the short distance from South Africa for a skiing vacation she never thought she would take.
“This is a great experience,” she added.
Bafana Nadida is from Johannesburg. He was happy to put on ski boots for the first time. He planned a day full of ski lessons, taking pictures and playing in the snow.
Skiers and snowboarders waited to rent the correct equipment. Some people took lessons from Hope Ramokotjo. He is from Lesotho and has worked as a self-taught ski and snowboard instructor for 12 years.
“Push your heels out. Don’t pull your shoulders," he said to his class.
Visitors to the Afriski ski resort near Butha-Buthe, Lesotho, one wearing a traditional Basutu blanket, wait to rent ski gear Saturday July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
Afriski's Kapoko Snow Park is the only freestyle snow park on the continent. Freestyle skiing and snowboarding involves tricks like jumps, twists and flips.
Last month, competitors entered the Winter Whip Slopestyle snowboard and ski competition. Sekholo Ramonotsi is a 13-year-old from the Lesotho city of Butha-Buthe. He practices at Afriski. He has won the junior snowboard and ski divisions.
“I would really like to ski in Europe,” he said.
Sekholo Ramonotsi, 13, competes in the Winter Whip Slopestyle snowboard and ski competition at the Afriski ski resort near Butha-Buthe, Lesotho, Saturday July 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
British-born Meka Lebohang Ejindu said he has taught skiing and snowboarding in Austria for more than 10 years. This was his first time competing in the southern hemisphere.
Afriski may not be at the level of Europe's large resorts. But a love of winter sports is growing there.
“For a competition like this to happen in southern Africa is so heartwarming,” Ejindu said.
Words in This Story
skiing — n. the activity or sport of gliding on skis
hemisphere — n. a half of the Earth
resort — n. a place where people go for vacations
rent — n. money that you pay in return for being able to use property and especially to live in an apartment, house, etc., that belongs to someone else
park — n. a field or stadium where a sport is played
heartwarming — adj. causing pleasant feelings of happiness
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