There are lesser-known snowboarding destinations around our Mediterranean region, such as Corsica, Sicily's Mount Etna, Greece, Lebanon, or Morocco. Among these, Morocco's High Atlas is probably one of the most visited destinations by Spanish mountain skiers and snowboarders.
The country is vast, and opportunities for mountain snowboarding range from the Rif Mountains (easily visible from the peaks of Sierra Nevada, with Djebel Tighidine being particularly notable) to the more distant Atlas Mountains (though not that far, as Marrakech is less than 700 kilometres from Ceuta). Here you'll find Toubkal, standing at 4,167 metres - the highest peak in North Africa.
The months from December to March offer the perfect opportunity for a combined tourism and mountain snowboarding trip that won't disappoint. Naturally, you'll need to confirm snow conditions, but assuming they're good, we should just remember that as tourists (which most of us are), we'll likely find ourselves wishing for more days to enjoy all that Morocco has to offer.
The Journey
If you're short on time, the best option is to fly to Marrakech and then rent transport to your chosen destination in the High Atlas. If you're fortunate enough to have more time, a 4x4 journey will let you experience the country more thoroughly.
One excellent route is entering via Ceuta, continuing through Tetouan and Chefchaouen. From here you can venture deeper into the Rif region via the Ketama road to summit Djebel Tighidine, then head south through Fez, Ifrane, Beni Mellal and Marrakech. From Marrakech, it's just 64 km to Imlil - the starting point for ascents to the refuges and peaks of the Toubkal massif. If your destination is Marrakech's High Atlas, the quicker route is via Tangier (or Ceuta), Larache, Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech.
Night driving isn't recommended on Moroccan roads. Instead, you need to be particularly cautious at dawn and dusk due to agricultural vehicles, mopeds and bicycles that appear almost everywhere, often without proper lights.
It's advisable to park your vehicle near a dwelling, but only after asking permission from the residents. As in many parts of the world, this courtesy elevates you to guest status rather than being seen as an intruder. Remember that offering hospitality is a duty in Muslim culture.
