Oukaïmeden: skiing, hiking and rock engravings near Marrakech

Updated on October 2, 2026

Some 75 km south of Marrakech, Oukaïmeden is a mountain resort set at 2,600 m in the heart of the High Atlas. Its ski area spans 2,600 to 3,200 m, below Jbel Oukaïmeden (3,273 m), making it the highest ski resort in Africa. In winter, people from Marrakech drive up as soon as the first snow falls to ski, go sledging or simply see the snow. In summer, the plateau becomes a place for hiking and bouldering, dotted with Bronze Age rock engravings.

Highlights

The ski area and the lake

The slopes run down from the ridges towards the village and the small reservoir, built in the 1970s. The chairlift, long billed as the highest in Africa, and the drag lifts are out of service: in April 2026, SMIT (the Moroccan tourism engineering agency) relaunched a modernisation project that includes a new chairlift and activities open all year round. In the meantime, skiers climb up on foot.

The rock engravings

More than a thousand engravings have been recorded on the red sandstone slabs along the river and the road. You can make out daggers, halberds, decorated discs and animals, including elephants, evidence of a long-vanished climate; most date from the Bronze Age. The sites are neither fenced nor signposted: a local guide will help you find them.

The plateau and peaks in summer

Once the snow has melted, the plateau's pastures welcome flocks from the neighbouring valleys, following the agdal tradition. Trails lead to the ridges and passes above the resort, and the many sandstone boulders draw climbers.

Infos pratiques

Tips

On snowy days, the local council charges a 15 MAD access fee per vehicle at the entrance to the resort, introduced in winter 2025-2026. Wooden huts at the foot of the slopes rent out skis, boots and sledges, and local instructors offer their services: agree on the price before you start. Bring warm clothes even in spring, as temperatures drop fast at this altitude. At weekends after a snowfall, the road is often congested: set off early.

How to get there

Allow 1 h 30 to 2 h by road from Marrakech along the Ourika road, turning off at Aghbalou towards Oukaïmeden; the last stretch is a winding mountain road. Private taxi for the day from Marrakech, organised tours with hotel pick-up, or a hire car. In winter, check road conditions before setting off.