Michlifen Ski Resort

Michlifen is a crater - an extinct volcanic cone at about 2,000 metres in the Middle Atlas whose bowl holds the snow, ringed by Atlas cedar, and the ski area is a handful of short runs on the inner slopes with a couple of lifts, developed from the 1930s when French residents wanted somewhere to ski. It is small by any standard: the vertical is modest, the runs are short and the lift infrastructure is old, and equipment hire on site is basic. The larger problem is snow. The Middle Atlas has had a series of poor winters and the season, when it happens, can be a few weeks or less; some years the lifts do not run at all. When there is snow the place fills with Moroccan families up from Fes and Meknes for the day, sledging as much as skiing. Out of season the crater is a good short walk with cedar and views.

What you actually see

• A crater bowl - an extinct cone at 2,000 metres holding the snow, ringed by cedar.
• A few short runs - modest vertical and old lifts developed from the 1930s.
• A day-trip crowd - families up from Fes and Meknes, sledging as much as skiing.
• A good walk out of season - the crater and cedar without the snow.

When to go

January to March if there is snow - check before driving up. A day.

Honest expectations

Snow is unreliable and some winters the lifts do not run at all. The area is very small and the equipment hire is basic. Roads up can be icy without winter tyres. It is a day out rather than a ski trip.

Nearby

Ifrane is north-east; Azrou and the cedar forest are south-west.