The Oukaïmeden ski resort, located between 2,600 and 3,262 metres in the High Atlas Mountains, is back in the news after the announcement of a major investment. According to Moroccan media, 75 million dirhams (about 8.3 million euros) have been earmarked to modernise its infrastructure.
The plan includes the creation of new pistes and the installation of several ski lifts, which will force the resort to remain closed for the whole of next season. The technical projects include a chairlift, five ski lifts and two conveyor belts, as well as a redesign of the ski area.
The work is expected to take around a year. If the deadlines are met, the reopening with renovated lifts would not take until the winter of 2026. However, various publications point to discrepancies in the figures: previous reports have referred to much higher investments of up to 378 million dirhams in more ambitious projects.
This lack of clarity in the numbers and the sequence of phases calls for caution. Until the official contracts and specifications are known, it is difficult to determine the real extent of the intervention.
Oukaïmeden is the highest resort in Africa and has been operating for decades with old equipment, some of which was installed in the mid-20th century. Its season is short and highly variable, as it depends almost exclusively on natural snowfall.
The investment generates expectations and doubts in equal measure. The tourism sectors expect employment and a reinforcement of the mountain offer linked to Marrakech, while others fear a new announcement without results, as well as the environmental impact and economic sustainability of a project conditioned by the snow.
Source: lugaresdenieve.com