Europeans Feel the Summer Heat, While Some Africans Go Skiing
2022-08-10
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1While millions across Europe live through a summer of record-breaking heat, others are skiing down snowy mountains in Africa.
2This is not another sign of climate change. Rather, it is a result of the special climate of Lesotho.
3Lesotho is a small mountainous nation surrounded by South Africa.
4It is the only country on Earth where its whole land surface sits more than 1,000 meters above sea level.
5That gives Lesotho snow during the southern hemisphere's winters.
6Cold winters are not rare in southern Africa. But snow is rare.
7And ski resorts are even rarer.
8At a height of 3,000 meters above sea level, Afriski is Africa's only ski resort south of the equator.
9It is in Lesotho's Maluti Mountains.
10"I've never seen snow in my life," said Kafi Mojapelo.
11She traveled the short distance from South Africa for a skiing vacation she never thought she would take.
12"This is a great experience," she added.
13Bafana Nadida is from Johannesburg.
14He was happy to put on ski boots for the first time.
15He planned a day full of ski lessons, taking pictures and playing in the snow.
16Skiers and snowboarders waited to rent the correct equipment.
17Some people took lessons from Hope Ramokotjo.
18He is from Lesotho and has worked as a self-taught ski and snowboard instructor for 12 years.
19"Push your heels out. Don't pull your shoulders," he said to his class.
20Afriski's Kapoko Snow Park is the only freestyle snow park on the continent.
21Freestyle skiing and snowboarding involves tricks like jumps, twists and flips.
22Last month, competitors entered the Winter Whip Slopestyle snowboard and ski competition.
23Sekholo Ramonotsi is a 13-year-old from the Lesotho city of Butha-Buthe.
24He practices at Afriski. He has won the junior snowboard and ski divisions.
25"I would really like to ski in Europe," he said.
26British-born Meka Lebohang Ejindu said he has taught skiing and snowboarding in Austria for more than 10 years.
27This was his first time competing in the southern hemisphere.
28Afriski may not be at the level of Europe's large resorts.
29But a love of winter sports is growing there.
30"For a competition like this to happen in southern Africa is so heartwarming," Ejindu said.
31I'm Dan Novak.
1While millions across Europe live through a summer of record-breaking heat, others are skiing down snowy mountains in Africa. 2This is not another sign of climate change. Rather, it is a result of the special climate of Lesotho. Lesotho is a small mountainous nation surrounded by South Africa. It is the only country on Earth where its whole land surface sits more than 1,000 meters above sea level. 3That gives Lesotho snow during the southern hemisphere's winters. Cold winters are not rare in southern Africa. But snow is rare. 4And ski resorts are even rarer. At a height of 3,000 meters above sea level, Afriski is Africa's only ski resort south of the equator. It is in Lesotho's Maluti Mountains. 5"I've never seen snow in my life," said Kafi Mojapelo. She traveled the short distance from South Africa for a skiing vacation she never thought she would take. 6"This is a great experience," she added. 7Bafana Nadida is from Johannesburg. He was happy to put on ski boots for the first time. He planned a day full of ski lessons, taking pictures and playing in the snow. 8Skiers and snowboarders waited to rent the correct equipment. Some people took lessons from Hope Ramokotjo. He is from Lesotho and has worked as a self-taught ski and snowboard instructor for 12 years. 9"Push your heels out. Don't pull your shoulders," he said to his class. 10Afriski's Kapoko Snow Park is the only freestyle snow park on the continent. Freestyle skiing and snowboarding involves tricks like jumps, twists and flips. 11Last month, competitors entered the Winter Whip Slopestyle snowboard and ski competition. Sekholo Ramonotsi is a 13-year-old from the Lesotho city of Butha-Buthe. He practices at Afriski. He has won the junior snowboard and ski divisions. 12"I would really like to ski in Europe," he said. 13British-born Meka Lebohang Ejindu said he has taught skiing and snowboarding in Austria for more than 10 years. This was his first time competing in the southern hemisphere. 14Afriski may not be at the level of Europe's large resorts. But a love of winter sports is growing there. 15"For a competition like this to happen in southern Africa is so heartwarming," Ejindu said. 16I'm Dan Novak. 17Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by The Associated Press. 18____________________________________________________________________ 19Words in This Story 20skiing - n. the activity or sport of gliding on skis 21hemisphere - n. a half of the Earth 22resort - n. a place where people go for vacations 23rent - n. money that you pay in return for being able to use property and especially to live in an apartment, house, etc., that belongs to someone else 24park - n. a field or stadium where a sport is played 25heartwarming - adj. causing pleasant feelings of happiness 26____________________________________________________________________ 27We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 28Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.