Tiffindell Ski Resort
Tiffindell Ski Resort | |
---|---|
Location | South Africa |
Nearest major city | Rhodes, Eastern Cape: 24 km (10 mi) |
Coordinates | 30°39′03″S 27°55′35″E / 30.65079°S 27.92634°E |
Vertical | 180 m (590 ft) |
Top elevation | 2,900 m (9,500 ft) [1] |
Base elevation | 2,720 m (8,924 ft) [1] |
Trails | 2 [1] |
Lift capacity | 1600 people/hour [1] |
Terrain parks | yes [1] |
Snowmaking | 100% [1] |
Website | Snow.co.za |
Tiffindell Ski Resort a year round alpine resort, the only ski resort in South Africa and one of the two ski resorts in Southern Africa. It was established in 1993 in the Southern Drakensberg, South Africa.[2]
Location
Tiffindell is located at 2,720 m (8,920 ft) on the south facing slope of Ben Macdhui, the highest mountain in the Eastern Cape with an elevation of 3,001 m (9,846 ft). It is situated 24 km (15 mi) above the town of Rhodes and about 212 km (132 mi) east of Aliwal North.
New Start
Tiffindell came under new ownership in 2012 and re-opened in 2013. The reopening saw a successful first season. The growth continues on in 2016 with a successful season visited by a week of being snowed in. Tiffindell continues as a year round alpine resort.
Skiing and snowboarding
Tiffindell uses snowmaking and grooming machines to maintain the ski areas. Snowmaking currently covers in excess of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) of ski runs for about 3 months of the year (June–August) during an average winter. It offers a snow fun-park with rails and jumps, equipment rentals and friendly instructors.
See also
'''Ben McDhui 3001''' overlooking Tiffindell is the highest mountain Pass in SA - a traditional sundowner on top of Ben Mac is one for the bucket list. You can even play golf from the Old Ben McGolf Tee hitting a ball from the top into the dam 460m below.
- '''Rhodes Village''' - The small hamlet of Rhodes is a national heritage site. Only 24 kms from Tiffindell it provides an alternative for accommodation in the winter skiing season when Tiffindell is full. Tiffindell and Rhodes are the hub of the Eastern Cape Highlands route for '''SA's High 5 Challenge''' and '''The Ben 10 Eco Challenge''' the highest meanest gravel passes in South Africa.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Ski resort Tiffindell". SkiResort.info. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ "How the good times have melted away at Tiffindell". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 15 July 2012.