THE Tiffindell ski resort at Barkly East is to undergo a major R300-million revamp from September this year.

TiffSki CEO David Taylor said Phase1 would involve new accommodation for 250 people and the demolition of some older facilities.

Some upgrading of rooms and facilities has already been completed for the season that starts on May 22. Taylor said the company had also employed “one of South Africa‘s top chefs, top barmen and one of the world‘s top ski instructors”.

“This will ensure that the resort will have an excellent season and every one of our clients will be fully satisfied.

“We aim to keep the natural beauty and magnificent views so that the guest experiences the remoteness, the romance and magic of the mountains.”

Taylor said it was important that “we team up with various stakeholders such as the local farmers, the economic development and environmental affairs department and a hotel chain.

“We believe this will see the creation of 1500 jobs during construction and 1500 sustainable jobs afterwards. Major developments will provide exclusive, luxury accommodation with a fractional hotel, restaurants, cigar bar and cafés, a spa and wellness centre, a conference centre and a gym as well as an ice rink.

“Additional slopes will see Tiffindell boast 10km of ski runs with substantial chair lifts. Adventure sports, including extreme sports, will be introduced to make Tiffindell an all-year- round family holiday resort.”

Taylor notes that 80000 to 100000 South Africans travel overseas for snow skiing every year. With travel to America and Europe becoming more costly and visas more difficult to obtain, the new first-class resort at Tiffindell was set to capture a larger share of the market, with a 30% increase in the number of visitors expected next year.

Source: The Herald