Ski touring in the High Atlas, Morocco
Mont of the year: january - march
Duration: 9 days
Scheduled departure: consult Avalco Travel
The High Atlas chain offers many interesting ski mountaineering itineraries, at different levels. The environment is particular and wild; the best time for snow conditions is usually February.
After years of experience, we offer 4 of the best tours, chosen for the beauty of the landscapes and the quality of skiing. As always we also suggest some less known routes and (optionally) steep lines.
A) North side of Toubkal from Imlil
Medium-difficulty ski mountaineering tour with some slopes or couloirs. Nice raid on the massif with some rarely skied variants.
B) Toubkal ring raid
Wonderful tour for lovers of complete circuits, quite challenging for the length of the route. It allows you to see the Toubkal massif from all sides and traverse valleys that are very different in terms of landscape and type of skiing.
C) Tour des couloirs of Toubkal
Tour on the north side of the massif, in search of the most challenging couloirs. Reserved for excellent skiers who prefer the technical aspect of ski mountaineering.
D) Massif of M’Goun – Waougoulzat
We propose a tour in the wild Waougoulzat group, on ideal terrain for skiing, starting from the Ait Bouguemez valley, reachable from Marrakech in about 4 hours by minibus. The massif of m’Goun certainly deserves the visit of ski mountaineers lovers of exploration.
Mount Toubkal 4167 m is the highest peak in the Atlas and in the whole North Africa, and is certainly a recommended objective, it can be included in any of the A, B, C tours.
For all proposals, mules and porters are used to transport the materials to the hut and / or to the snow limit. Accommodation is the in local mountain huts with dinner and breakfast, or tents (if huta are not available).
***** TOURIST EXTENSIONS (optional) *****
-> guided tour of Marrakech
-> visit to the Dadès valley and the western edge of the Sahara desert
Challenge: FITNESS 2 TECHNICAL 2 ADVENTURE 2
Accomodation: hotel, guesthouse, hut, tents
Local transfers: minivan jeep 4WD
Services included: all local transfers and accomodation as per programme; all breakfasts and dinners duirng the tour,
Optional services: flights; insurance; single room (where available); assistance of Avalco tour leader or mountain guide; transfer of all common gear and food (wijt porters and mules) to the hut; extensions and variants to the programme.
Special notes: the programme may change due to wheather, snow, access roads, and needs or requests of the participants.
DAILY PROGRAMMES
A) North side from Imlil
1st day Arrival in Marrakech. Transfer by minibus to the small ski resort of Oukaimedene 2500 m. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
2nd day Ascent to the Tizi n’Tachedirt pass and then to Tamda Iguenouane 3877 m. Descent to Tamatert 2000 m. Dinner and overnight at the hotel or chez l’habitant in Imlil or Aremd.
3rd day Ascent to the Toubkal-Neltner hut 3207 m. Overnight at the hut.
4th day Ascent to the summit of Toubkal and return to the hut.
5th day From the hut via the Tizi n’Ouagane colto the peaks of Ras 4083 m and Timesguida 4089 m. Cross the Tizi Melloul pass and descend to the Lepiney hut 3050 m in the Assif n’Ouarzane valley. Dinner and overnight at the hut.
6th day Return to Imlil via the Tizi Mzik pass. Return by minibus to Marrakech. Hotel accommodation.
7th day Transfer to the airport for return flight.
B) Toubkal circuit
1st day Arrival in Marrakech. Transfer by minibus to Imlil 1750 m. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
2nd day Ascent to the Toubkal hut – Neltner 3207 m. Dinner and overnight at the hut.
3rd day Ascent to the Tizi n’Ouanoukrim pass, and to the summit of Ras 4083 m. Crossing to Tizi n’Ouarzane and descent to the Toubkal hut.
4th day Ascent to the summit of Toubkal 4167 m. Descent to Tizi n’Ouanamouss and Lake Ifni on the southern side of the mountain. Continuation to Amsourzerte 1800 m. Dinner and overnight in tents or chez l’habitant.
5th day From Amsourzete to Tagadirt and ascent to Tizi n’Ououraine, descent to Azib Likemt. Ascent to the Tizi Likemt pass 3550 m and descent to Imli. Dinner and overnight at the hotel or chez l’habitant.
6th day Return by minibus to Marrakech. Hotel accommodation.
7th day Transfer to the airport for return flight.
C) Tour des couloirs
1st day Arrival in Marrakech. Transfer by minibus to Imlil 1750 m. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
2nd day Ascent to the Lepiney hut 3050 m for the Tizi Mzik pass. Dinner and overnight in the hut.
3rd day Couloirs on the west side of Tazarhart 3980 m (45 ° or more). Dinner and overnight in the hut.
4th day Crossing to the Toubkal hut 3200 m. passing through Tizi Melloul, ascent to Afella 4016 m and descent the NE couloir of Clochetons. Dinner and overnight in the hut.
5th day Ascent to the summit of Toubkal 4167 m via the normal route, steep descent through the Inmouzzer valley, ascent to the Tizi n’Inmouzzer pass and descent via the north-west side. Dinner and overnight in the hut.
6th day Ascent to Ras 4083 m and / or the Timesguide via the Tizi n’Ouagane pass, crossing to Col Tizi n’Ouanoukrim, ascent to Akioud 4030m and descent via the east channel. Return to the hut and then to Imlil. Transfer to Marrakech in the evening. Hotel accommodation.
7th day Transfer to the airport for return flight.
D) Massif of M’Goun – Waougoulzat
1st day Arrival in Marrakech. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
2nd day Transfer by minibus to the Ait Bouguemez valley. Dinner and overnight at the Ikhf n’Ighir hut at 1890 m.
3rd day Ascent to the lake of Izourar 2540 m. Dinner and overnight in tents.
4th day Ascent of Tagafayt 3763 m for the north side.
5th day Crossing from south to north of Azourki 3677 m, descent towards Tamelmelt and return to the Ikhf n’Ighir hut.
6th day Ascent and descent of Igoudamen 3519 m and return to the Ikhf n’Ighir hut.
7th day Return to Marrakech. Hotel accommodation.
Day 8 Transfer to the airport for return flight.
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VARIATIONS OR EXTENSIONS.
According to the requests of the group, it will be possible to make up a different programme, with a mix of the itineraries described above, or including others.
-> Consult Avalco Travel for a personalized program.
REQUEST INFORMATION FOR
Ski touring in the High Atlas, Morocco
Trip code: SP09029
Key Definitions
Trip dates, Duration, Departure
The period of time given in the trip description sheet is indicatively the most recommended for optimun conditions for the planned activities. Different periods are possible, especially during season with special climate situations. Duration is referred to the “standard” programme as per description sheet, however it could change according to the local conditions and/or the team’s requirements. If the trip is included in the Scheduled Trips list (yearly planner), the departure date is the one given in the planner; otherwise it will be decided according to the requests we have received. In any case we suggest to contact us for more precise information. In customized trips, departure date and duration are established according to customer’s request
Challenge scoring
By means of the scores given in the trip decsription sheet we wish to provide an indicative assessment of the challenges to be expected, divided in the following three categories:
FITNESS
Grade 1: adult performing a minimum sport activity (4-8 hours/week), or teenager in medium fitness conditions
Grade 2: adult performing sport activity (8-16 hours/week) or teenager in good fitness conditions
Grade 3: adult performing regular sport activity (16-20 hours/week) or teenager in very good fitness conditions
Grade 4: adult only, regularly performing sport activity and intense training (more than 20 hours/week)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Grade1: no prior experience in the activity is required, just a natural predisposition
Grade 2: prior experience in the activity as beginner to medium level
Grade 3: prior experience in the activity at medium to high level, with regular practice since min. 3-5 years
Grade 4: excellent technical skills with long experience in the activity (more than 5 years)
ADVENTURE:
Grade 1: no prior experience in adventure travel id required, just a positive attitude to adapt
Grade 2: prior, yet limited, experience in adventure travel, with a strong attitude to adapt and determination
Grade 3: prior experience in adventure travel including remote area and wilderness, or extreme wheather, or uncertainty in route finding
Grade 4: prior experience in adventure travel including remote area and wilderness, or extreme wheather, or uncertainty in route finding, strong determination to overcome unforeseen events
Accomodation
The type of accomodation as planned is indicated in the trip sheet (hotel, lodge, tents, etc..).
Transfers
The means of local transfers are indicated as planned (flight, bus, 4WD vehicle, ferry, etc.). Some changes are possible in relation to the actual availability on site and/or the terrain and wheather conditions.
Service included and Prices
We do not have a price list. Quotes are sent on request only. Details of services included, excluded, or optionally available, will be specified in the quote and confirmed at the time of booking. Prices depend on number of participants and on the specific requirements of the group. They will be definitely set at the time of booking after definiton of all trip details and confirmation of dates. Special prices can be granted according to number of participants, and/or for pre-established groups, clubs and associations, guides with own clients, active athletes, tour operators and travel agents, journalists, physicians, rescue operators, schools, staff of organization running an humanitarian or research project.