In a recent report written by Catherine Moye, she talks about the initiative set to turn the still remote High Atlas Mountains into a thriving multi-million dollar active resort getaway. And, not only will the area attract skiers, but golfers too. In what will become Africa’s only combined ski and golf resort, hotels are going to be popping up everywhere. Near the Ourika valley, the price of land has already skyrocketed as the rich (and sometimes famous) fall in love with the area and build their getaway home.

The Moroccan sun, however, is as intriguing as the culture and geography. Many developers claim that the area will be one of world-class skiing and golf. But, according to the editor of The Good Ski Guide, the plans will be foiled by mother nature – the sun is simply too hot and the slopes too high to invite anyone who is not in top shape. Moroccan and foreign developers’ rebuttal is that the lower slopes will be equiped with the best snow machines around.

While the exotic and rural nature of Morocco will be affected to some degree by the advancements, many agree that the move will be good for the local economy and the economy of the country as a whole. Naturalists and environmentalists are against the overdeveloping of Morocco’s beautiful natural scenery. They argue that the area could be developed much more affectively and with much less expense if its potentials in ecotourism were fully promoted and developed. Then, the area would still keep its natural charm and allure while the rest of the world ‘overdevelops’. No matter the argument, what is sure is that Morocco is moving full speed ahead with its plans to become, quite possibly, one of the world’s most sought-out destinations.

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