Nicknamed "little Switzerland", Ifrane was designed in the middle of the 20th century to welcome European settlers to an environment that would not disorientate them too much. In reality, the result was the opposite because I personally felt extremely disorientated when I arrived in Ifrane, which looks like a ski resort...at the heart of the Alps: chalets with sloping red roofs, well kept parks, streets mapped out straight with exemplary tidiness, etc. A surprising absurdity from the colonial period.
However, although travellers to Morocco are looking for the disorder of the medinas, it seems that today Moroccans appreciate the change of scenery in Ifrane, which has become a greatly prized ski resort in the country. The town also has lovely options for walking in summer and a very relaxed atmosphere.
Nicknamed "little Switzerland", Ifrane was designed in the middle of the 20th century to welcome European settlers to an environment that would not disorientate them too much. In reality, the result was the opposite because I personally felt extremely disorientated when I arrived in Ifrane, which looks like a ski resort...at the heart of the Alps: chalets with sloping red roofs, well kept parks, streets mapped out straight with exemplary tidiness, etc. A surprising absurdity from the colonial period.
However, although travellers to Morocco are looking for the disorder of the medinas, it seems that today Moroccans appreciate the change of scenery in Ifrane, which has become a greatly prized ski resort in the country. The town also has lovely options for walking in summer and a very relaxed atmosphere.
Ifrane is a ski resort situated in the Middle Atlas which is well loved by tourists. It's a European style town which is astonishing in comparison to the other towns in Morocco. It was built during the French Protectorate in a completely European style. I would even go so far as to say that its chalets with their steep roofs look a bit like Switzerland.
Personally, I didn't like this Moroccan town as much as the others. For a really simple reason, which is that I felt like I was in Europe and not in Morocco! It doesn't have that touch of confusion that I love so much in Morocco, with the narrow streets, the donkeys and the ordered chaos of the markets. In Ifrane everything is in order, the streets are wide and the rules are respected!
But for skiers it is true that it is the ideal place to go skiing in Morocco.
Ifrane is a ski resort situated in the Middle Atlas which is well loved by tourists. It's a European style town which is astonishing in comparison to the other towns in Morocco. It was built during the French Protectorate in a completely European style. I would even go so far as to say that its chalets with their steep roofs look a bit like Switzerland.
Personally, I didn't like this Moroccan town as much as the others. For a really simple reason, which is that I felt like I was in Europe and not in Morocco! It doesn't have that touch of confusion that I love so much in Morocco, with the narrow streets, the donkeys and the ordered chaos of the markets. In Ifrane everything is in order, the streets are wide and the rules are respected!
But for skiers it is true that it is the ideal place to go skiing in Morocco.