South African ski resort

South African ski resorts

In South Africa there isn’t a variety of ski resorts to choose from. There are a few slopes in the Drakensberg Mountains in the east of south Africa, where you can go to one ski resort called Tiffindell.

Tiffindell is the only ski resort in south Africa, with a a 1km long slope with a snow machine that guarantees snow over 100 days. Located in the Drakensberg Mountains, you can visit the highest pub in south Africa, at about 2720m above sea level.

About 300 skiers and snowboarders use the slopes at Tiffendell every day, with accommodation for 116 people. Off-slope hotels and hostels are available in the New England and Rhodes areas of South Africa.

A compulsory beginners course is required for first-timers. This takes place on a 60m long flat course with instructors to help you learn quickly and easily. Equipment is available for hire on-site

After a long days skiing you can put your feet up at one of the bars, sit around a fire, or watch one of the torch-lit ski demonstrations available or relax with a massage from the resident masseuse.

There are other daytime activities available if skiing is not what your after, such as walks to local frozen waterfalls and landmarks, snowman building or even just a simple snowball fight.

- Ruairi

Penguins

The south african peguin came up in lee's picture quiz I was not completely sure if africa had penguins but I got it right. The african penguins or the spheniscus demersus are the only penguin to breed in africa and are not found any were else in the world. Now for the facts the african penguin is 68cm in length and between 2.1 and 3.7kg in weight. The penguins breeding area is from Hollomsbird island, off central Namibia, to bird island in algoa bay. There are 6 breeding islands in algoa bay.

The peguins rate of decline is 2% there is probably

half the ammount of penguins than there was in the 1900. The main reason for there decline is the use of the eggs as food, the disturbance of there nest.

- Derek

Box of ice

This is the picture of an ice skating rink, this is one of the pictures I got incorrect on Lee's picture challenge. I do have an excuse though, there was no sky in this particular photo and as I was guessing every picture on the way the sky was, like if it was a clear blue sky, it was South Africa, and any other type wasnt. Anyway I assumed they wouldnt have an ice rink in South Africa, I suoppose because its always nice and warm, I thought 'why would they want to stand in a box of ice'. It must be tricky keeping the ice strong and thick as when I asked Lee what the hottest day she had has so far, she replied 36 degrees. It must be rare though to find a shop in South Africa were they sell ice gear: skates, big coat etc, they would probably find it odd in the shop if it was 36 degrees, and I asked for a wooly coat and gloves.

- Mark