Lesotho's Afriski Resort draws ski tourists and hosts record high‑altitude ice swim

Afriski Mountain Resort, situated at about 3,200 m in the Maluti Mountains, is the only fully operational ski resort in sub‑Saharan Africa and has become the premier destination for skiers from Lesotho and neighboring South Africa. The resort, opened 25 years ago, contributes roughly 7 % of Lesotho’s GDP and employs 227 staff, most of whom are Lesotho nationals. Its CEO, Theo Ferreira, notes that around 70 % of visitors are South African, with the remainder coming from Lesotho and other southern‑African nations.

From 31 July to 2 August, Afriski will also host the South African National Ice Swimming Championships, organized under International Ice Swimming Association rules. The event, held in a dam at 3,030 m above sea level, is billed as the world’s highest‑altitude ice swim and serves as a qualifier for the 2027 World Championships. Competitors will race in water at 5 °C or colder over distances ranging from 50 m to 1 km, testing endurance in a unique alpine setting.