Ifrane

TooNs · June 5th, 2006, 02:36 PM

Some pics of Ifrane, a town that I visited too many times...:

Yazoo · June 5th, 2006, 02:41 PM

Great lovely town with an atmosphere of its own!

Casa · June 5th, 2006, 03:38 PM

it is called switzerland of Morocco, it looks like a european city , it is unique with its special architecture and it is home of the first American University in Morocco; Al akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI)

The city

AUI

empersouf · June 5th, 2006, 05:35 PM

Nice city. Really looks like the alps.

AntonAmeneiro · June 6th, 2006, 01:11 AM

Woah! now that's a truly picturesque town

How far is it from Rabat or Casablanca? Is it easy to reach by train or bus?

Yazoo · June 6th, 2006, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntonAmeneiro

Woah! now that's a truly picturesque town

How far is it from Rabat or Casablanca? Is it easy to reach by train or bus?

You could take the train to Meknes (about 3.5 hours from Casablanca) then take a Bus there, it's not that far, not even an Hour by Bus I suppose.

Otherwise you can take a CTM bus directly from Casablanca/Rabat would take about 4 hours I think.

eklips · June 6th, 2006, 01:17 AM

Surprising! Anybody knows what is the history of this town?

Frog · June 6th, 2006, 01:26 AM

interesting pics, never seen this before. looks just like an alpine village

Casa · June 6th, 2006, 03:37 AM

History of Ifrane
A small town situated in Morocco's Middle Atlas, Ifrane has been around for centuries. The earliest permanent settlement dates back from the 16th century when a community was established in the Tizguit valley. Just a little downstream from modern day Ifrane, you will find an area that is still very much inhabited by the descendants of Sidi 'Abd al-Salem who founded Ifrane.

In the regional Berber language the word 'yfran' is plural for 'cave' and when you explore the surrounding limestone plateaus you will find an abundance of them. During the town's founding days, many homes were carved out of the surrounding rock. Today there are no people living in these caves which are now used as mangers and store houses.

Modern Ifrane only truly began life around 1929 during the Protectorate period when the French decided to establish a 'hill station' here. The city rests on an elevation of 1600m above sea-level and is surrounded by pine, cedar and oak forests which makes it a relatively cool city. As a result, many tourists from other parts of Morocco come here during the hot summer months to escape the heat. Perhaps the most distinguishable trait of Ifrane is its unusual Alpine architectural style - quite out of character with the rest of Moroccan architecture.

During winter, Ifrane sees even more visitors as people flock here to try their hand at the snow-covered slopes or simply to enjoy the simple pleasure of snow. During the rest of the year, the town has a large student population who attend the Al Akhawayn University.

more pictures of ifrane

The Ifrane Lion is a famous landmark in the town. There are varying stories about who made the lion. It was supposedly created by a WWII prisoner.

Lac and rivers

Snow in Town

King Palace

Harkeb · June 7th, 2006, 04:24 AM

I dont believe for one second that that could be in Morocco! Snow, green, water? It will take major convincing!!

TooNs · June 7th, 2006, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harkerb

I dont believe for one second that that could be in Morocco! Snow, green, water? It will take major convincing!!

Did you think that Morocco was a desert?

ps: there is ski stations near Ifrane...

Yazoo · June 7th, 2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harkerb

I dont believe for one second that that could be in Morocco! Snow, green, water? It will take major convincing!!

You better believe it, the majority of the moroccan population is concentrated around non-desertic areas. Also Oukameidan (near Marrakech) is being developped into the only true ski station in Africa...

Harkeb · June 8th, 2006, 02:00 AM

Jeez, still unbelievable. Sure those pictures werent taken in Germany?? And I thought South Africa was the only african country that get some snow (besides the peaks of Kilimanjaro). point to mention: We have 2 ski resorts in SA, known to be the only ones in Africa.

Casa · June 8th, 2006, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harkerb

Jeez, still unbelievable. Sure those pictures werent taken in Germany?? And I thought South Africa was the only african country that get some snow (besides the peaks of Kilimanjaro). point to mention: We have 2 ski resorts in SA, known to be the only ones in Africa.

here are some pictures i took last winter when i went skiing in michlifen (near ifrane)
sorry for the quality of the pictures. i took them using my cell phone

TooNs · June 8th, 2006, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harkerb

Jeez, still unbelievable. Sure those pictures werent taken in Germany?? And I thought South Africa was the only african country that get some snow (besides the peaks of Kilimanjaro). point to mention: We have 2 ski resorts in SA, known to be the only ones in Africa.

Don't believe all what people say!

ps: there is also little ski stations in Algeria and Tunisia

nwusaad · June 8th, 2006, 05:08 AM

beautiful setting!
too bad we dont hear of any development plans for Ifrane. It definitely deserves one! Or is it, its charm that makes it so special???

Ive never heard of projects launched there, its too bad. Also, could give new face to Morocco. Perhaps rivalize with Marrakech style. Or perhaps target rich Africans, Arabs. Show them the Alps while in Africa!!

TooNs · June 9th, 2006, 05:20 AM

More pics...

TooNs · June 9th, 2006, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harkerb

Jeez, still unbelievable. Sure those pictures werent taken in Germany??

Just look at the first post of the thread... did you ever see a german town with locations indicated in Arabic and mosques?

Ps: Please stop comparaisons between S-A and Morocco...

nwusaad · June 9th, 2006, 05:45 AM

Beautiful pics.. Simply amazing. its crazy the disparities in Morocco. From the water surplus of Ifrane to the great water stress of the desert in such a small distance!

TooNs · June 9th, 2006, 05:47 AM

more pics:

June 5th, 2006, 02:36 PM	#1
TooNs Code-switcher Join Date: May 2006 Location: Agdal-Erriad Posts: 5	Ifrane Some pics of Ifrane, a town that I visited too many times...: __________________ Rate Casablanca Rate Hassan-II mosque Pics of Rabat Rbati, rassi qasseħ we demmi bared. We l'li ma εejbouchi l'ħal yemchi yezdeħ rasso mεa l'erd. - Ma tqischi bladi - - Ad ur teggert i tmazirt inou -

June 5th, 2006, 03:38 PM	#3
Casa Casa hiya mdinti Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Casablanca Posts: 18	it is called switzerland of Morocco, it looks like a european city , it is unique with its special architecture and it is home of the first American University in Morocco; Al akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) The city AUI __________________ MOROCCO FORUM

June 6th, 2006, 03:37 AM	#9
Casa Casa hiya mdinti Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Casablanca Posts: 18	History of Ifrane A small town situated in Morocco's Middle Atlas, Ifrane has been around for centuries. The earliest permanent settlement dates back from the 16th century when a community was established in the Tizguit valley. Just a little downstream from modern day Ifrane, you will find an area that is still very much inhabited by the descendants of Sidi 'Abd al-Salem who founded Ifrane. In the regional Berber language the word 'yfran' is plural for 'cave' and when you explore the surrounding limestone plateaus you will find an abundance of them. During the town's founding days, many homes were carved out of the surrounding rock. Today there are no people living in these caves which are now used as mangers and store houses. Modern Ifrane only truly began life around 1929 during the Protectorate period when the French decided to establish a 'hill station' here. The city rests on an elevation of 1600m above sea-level and is surrounded by pine, cedar and oak forests which makes it a relatively cool city. As a result, many tourists from other parts of Morocco come here during the hot summer months to escape the heat. Perhaps the most distinguishable trait of Ifrane is its unusual Alpine architectural style - quite out of character with the rest of Moroccan architecture. During winter, Ifrane sees even more visitors as people flock here to try their hand at the snow-covered slopes or simply to enjoy the simple pleasure of snow. During the rest of the year, the town has a large student population who attend the Al Akhawayn University. more pictures of ifrane The Ifrane Lion is a famous landmark in the town. There are varying stories about who made the lion. It was supposedly created by a WWII prisoner. Lac and rivers Snow in Town King Palace __________________ MOROCCO FORUM

June 8th, 2006, 05:08 AM	#16
nwusaad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 19	why is there no developmental projects?? beautiful setting! too bad we dont hear of any development plans for Ifrane. It definitely deserves one! Or is it, its charm that makes it so special??? Ive never heard of projects launched there, its too bad. Also, could give new face to Morocco. Perhaps rivalize with Marrakech style. Or perhaps target rich Africans, Arabs. Show them the Alps while in Africa!!

June 9th, 2006, 05:20 AM	#17
TooNs Code-switcher Join Date: May 2006 Location: Agdal-Erriad Posts: 5	More pics... __________________ Rate Casablanca Rate Hassan-II mosque Pics of Rabat Rbati, rassi qasseħ we demmi bared. We l'li ma εejbouchi l'ħal yemchi yezdeħ rasso mεa l'erd. - Ma tqischi bladi - - Ad ur teggert i tmazirt inou -

June 5th, 2006, 02:41 PM	#2
Yazoo Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 466	Great lovely town with an atmosphere of its own!

June 5th, 2006, 05:35 PM	#4
empersouf Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Utrecht(Maarssen) & Casablanca(Tetouan) Posts: 4,220	Nice city. Really looks like the alps.

June 6th, 2006, 01:11 AM	#5
AntonAmeneiro אנטון Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oviedo (SPAIN) Posts: 0	Woah! now that's a truly picturesque town How far is it from Rabat or Casablanca? Is it easy to reach by train or bus?

June 6th, 2006, 01:17 AM	#7
eklips how can she slap?? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Paris Posts: 4,800	Surprising! Anybody knows what is the history of this town?

June 6th, 2006, 01:26 AM	#8
Frog SSC addict Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: لندن Posts: 459	interesting pics, never seen this before. looks just like an alpine village

June 7th, 2006, 04:24 AM	#10
Harkeb BANNED Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cape Town, Seoul Posts: 2,731	I dont believe for one second that that could be in Morocco! Snow, green, water? It will take major convincing!!

June 8th, 2006, 02:00 AM	#13
Harkeb BANNED Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Cape Town, Seoul Posts: 2,731	Jeez, still unbelievable. Sure those pictures werent taken in Germany?? And I thought South Africa was the only african country that get some snow (besides the peaks of Kilimanjaro). point to mention: We have 2 ski resorts in SA, known to be the only ones in Africa.

June 9th, 2006, 05:45 AM	#19
nwusaad Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 19	BEauuutifffull Beautiful pics.. Simply amazing. its crazy the disparities in Morocco. From the water surplus of Ifrane to the great water stress of the desert in such a small distance!

June 9th, 2006, 05:47 AM	#20
TooNs Code-switcher Join Date: May 2006 Location: Agdal-Erriad Posts: 5	more pics: __________________ Rate Casablanca Rate Hassan-II mosque Pics of Rabat Rbati, rassi qasseħ we demmi bared. We l'li ma εejbouchi l'ħal yemchi yezdeħ rasso mεa l'erd. - Ma tqischi bladi - - Ad ur teggert i tmazirt inou -

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