South Africa's Only Ski Resort Hits The Slopes Of Closure: Tiffindell Up For Sale

South Africa's winter wonderland, Tiffindell Ski Resort, has officially closed its doors and is now on the market. The resort, nestled in the Southern Drakensberg mountains, was a beloved destination for skiers and snowboarders for over three decades.

The news comes as a blow to South African winter sports enthusiasts. Tiffindell, once ranked 19th on CNN Travel's "World's Best Ski Runs" in 2014, struggled in recent years. Inconsistent snowfall, coupled with the economic fallout from COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, proved too much to overcome. Despite the use of snowmaking machines, the financial burden of running the equipment became unsustainable.

Tiffindell wasn't just a winter escape. During the summer months, the resort transformed into an adventure hub, offering activities like hiking, 4x4 trails, and fishing. However, these seasonal offerings weren't enough to keep the business afloat.

The resort's website now features a prominent "For Sale" message, with contact details for Chris Stevens, CEO of Chris Stevens Real Estate, who will be handling the sale.

While Tiffindell's future remains uncertain, the sale offers a potential lifeline. Whether a new owner will revive the resort as a winter sports destination or repurpose it entirely is yet to be seen.

Tiffindell came into existence in 1993, born by avid skiers and run by passionate snow lovers. Since then the resort has grown to become a true Alpine resort for all seasons.

In Summer, Spring and Autumn, Tiffindell becomes one of the best off-the-beaten-track adventure-lands in South Africa. Activities include high altitude hiking, mountain biking, grass skiing, mountain boarding, photography, rock art, birding, some of SA’s best fly fishing, quad biking, and the famous “8 Passes” route for motorcyclists and 4x4’s. Tiffindell is known internationally for flowers, as the unique alpine flowers bring flora enthusiasts from the four corners of the world.

As an Alpine Resort it is about altitude and attitude. Tiffindell has the altitude at 2720m, nestling snugly on the slope of Ben McDhui (3001m), the highest peak in the whole Cape Province. The highest resort in South Africa! The atitude is for adventure. Ready for mountain biking down Kloppershoek? Hiking to Telle Falls? Adventure biking to the top of the Cape? Or a relaxed attitude? Don’t forget your camera for rare birds, dramatic views, the alpine flowers or the trophy pic of the big rainbow 

South Africans seeking snowy slopes will now have to look further afield, with Lesotho's Afriski Mountain Resort remaining the only operational ski resort in southern Africa.