Ski Resort in Drakensberg now officially closed

Tiffindell Ski Resort was a popular retreat for South Africans seeking winter wonderland experiences with the option of engaging in winter sports.

With colder weather having hit South Africa and snowy conditions more likely across the country, South Africans are unable to head for the slopes in SA.

This is indeed sad news for snow-seekers and ski enthusiasts.

SNOW IN SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is not known as a ski destination. The country generally has a warm climate.

Even winter temperatures are not severe or conducive to large amounts of snowfall.

That said, when a nasty cold front passes through it can bring snowfall to various places across the country – especially mountainous and high-lying regions.

TIFFINDELL SKI RESORT

One part of the country, the Southern Drakensberg is home to Tiffindell Ski Resort, which did however offer winter sports activities.

The resort was the ideal getaway for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts in the winter months.

Tiffindell Ski Resort has updated its website with a statement confirming its permanent closure.

The property is now up for sale. Chris Stevens Real Estate, acting on behalf of the property, said that the resort has closed and is for sale.

SOUTH AFRICAN SUMMER OPERATIONS

For Tiffindell to be more economically sustainable it needs to be open all year.

Tiffindell’s natural resources for summer vacations include several dams for fishing.

Its location between three of the eight mountain passes in the Eastern Cape’s Drakensberg makes it ideal for hiking, 4x4s and mountain biking.  

It has the potential to be marketed as a year-round resort with summer adventure activities, which is a model that many other ski resorts in other parts of the world have adopted. 

SOUTH AFRICAN SKI RESORTS

Tiffindell Ski Resort has served South Africans for over three decades. In fact, it ranked as one of the world’s best ski runs just 10 years ago.

In 2014, CNN ranked Tiffindell the 19th best ski run in the world.

CHALLENGING TIMES

The Covid-19 lockdown severely impacted the resort since visitors were restricted from travelling during the pandemic.

“The resort lost three years of the snow crowd. The ski season is also limited to just three months – from June to August,”

Chris Stevens, CEO of Chris Stevens Real Estate said, per TravelNews.

Lockdown restrictions forced Tiffindell to close for two years, and in the third year, restrictions were not lifted in time for the resort to prepare for the ski season.  

INCONSISTENT SNOWFALL

Another challenge for Tiffindell Ski Resort was inconsistent snowfall. 

Though Tiffindell is equipped with snowmaking machines, these had to operate all night to supplement the natural snow.

Thus, the cost of snow machines and the energy used translated to increased operating costs for the resort. 

OTHER SKI OPTIONS FOR SOUTH AFRICANS

The Tiffindell Resort in the Drakensberg is one of only two ski resorts in Southern Africa.

The other is the Afriski Mountain Resort, located in neighbouring Lesotho.