The festivities carry on late into the night at Afriski! Photo: Alexander Wolfe

Afriski: Local music festival in the snow will be this year’s ultimate jol [photos]

There’s snow party like an Afriski party! Winterfest is one of the most lit festivals in Southern Africa, and we’ve got the photos to prove it.

by Tom Head

28-02-2019 18:09

in Travel

The festivities carry on late into the night at Afriski! Photo: Alexander Wolfe

If you’re all about the gigs and concerts or perhaps fancy doing something truly memorable with your winter break, then Afriski is totally the antidote to your lingering wanderlust. This is Southern Africa’s only winter festival, and it’s bringing a new dimension to living our best lives.

The Lesotho-based resort boasts one of the greatest atmospheres on the continent. Now into its fifth year, the Afriski Winterfest is set to get underway from 22 – 25 August 2019.

Jack Parow starts a champagne shower at Afriski 2018 – Photo: Alexander Wolfe

What you get from Afriski

Whether you’re a music lover, a slope-addict or just a huge fan of the apres-ski (we’ll hold our hands up to being guilty on that last count), this is the best place to come and chill – in every sense of the word.

All guests will have the chance to ski, snowboard and indulge in some thrill-inducing winter sports. Of course, that’s for the adrenaline junkies. If you’re here for the music and the less-strenuous activities, we’ve got some great news for you. The festival itself is LIT…

We’re talking DJs, live bands, acoustic sets, after-parties, day-drinking and of course, views that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Afriski has managed to attract the likes of Jack Parow and Good Luck to their stages before, and an announcement is due on the line-up soon. But whoever fits the bill, you’re nailed-on to enjoy an amazing jol.

What else is included?

There are eight options for those wanting to stay here and book their accommodation. You can either choose to grab yourself a backpacker room, or go for something a little more luxurious – there are “sleeper” rooms available which fit two-to-eleven people in. Whichever you go for, you’re guaranteed the following included in your package:

Three-day festival pass.
Three-day mountain pass.
Accommodation.
Ski and snowboard lessons.
Ski and snowboard gear rentals.

The best “dos and don’ts” list you will ever see

Even a celebration as off-the-hook as Afriski’s Winterfest requires a few rules here and there. But clearly, the organisers have had a lot of fun with this one. They’ve published a dos and don’ts list that’s raised a few chuckles from our side, and we’re heartily endorsing them all.

Not only are you encouraged to bring warm clothes – come on guys, it’s a festival in the snow, you can handle this – but a “cool attitude” and your best winter knitwear are also on the recommended list. So is contraception because, well, you never know do you? Some of us certainly hope, though.

Meanwhile, bad manners, moaning and crocs are all on the banned list. Again, no complaints here. You can also cross-check what documentation you need for your stay via the website, too.