The Drakensberg Mountains

One of the most beautiful places to experience snow in South Africa is the Drakensberg Mountains. Their majestic peaks reach over 3000 metres in height – the highest in the country – and while the snow might start falling as early as April, the most reliable month for snowfall is July.

As the area is enormous, you’ll find accommodation options to suit every budget.  The southern Drakensberg villages Underberg and Himeville are great locations for a trip up Sani Pass, a winding 76-kilometre gravel road that consistently receives a snowy blanket during the winter. Just bear in mind that this road is untarred and potentially treacherous so you’ll need a 4x4 and top-notch driving skills.

Tiffindell Ski Resort

Ready to hit the slopes? Tiffindell in the Southern Drakensberg Mountains offers skiing and snowboarding from June to August.

The resort boasts an 800-metre-long ski slope and you can rent all the equipment you’d need as well as hire an instructor. It also has a tubing slope that’s great for kids, allowing them to breeze to the bottom on an inflatable tube. And yes, there’s definitely enough snow for them to build a snowman. The resort has the best snow-making equipment in the country so even if Mother Nature isn’t serving up her finest, you don’t have to worry about it.

Accommodation-wise, you can choose from a chalet or self-catering apartment within 100 metres of the slopes and main lodge. The best bit is that they all have central heating!

Matroosberg Nature Reserve

The Matroosberg Nature Reserve is situated on a working farm just outside Ceres in the Western Cape. It’s a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding in the winter months as it typically experiences snow and even has its own ski lift.

Don’t know how to ski? No problem! You could simply frolic in the snow or enjoy a laundry list of other activities that include hiking, abseiling and paintball.

The reserve offers several accommodation options including cosy mountain cabins, a lakeside house and camping areas. One of the most popular picks is the Goatherd House, a historic farmhouse with an inside fireplace that’s perfect for a post-skiing indoor braai.

The Last Word

Keen on a snowy break? You’re sure to have a blast but bear in mind that any holiday with adventure activities such as skiing comes with risk. Before going would be as good a time to re-assess your life insurance policy. Don’t have one? Why not get a quick quote from MiWayLife? We have a 4-in-1 policy with one monthly premium from a brand you can trust.