If the name Morocco conjures up images of a place with narrow, maze like streets lined with old earth-colored buildings, you are not alone. Ifrane, however, is unlike any other town in Morocco. Located at an altitude of 5,460 feet above sea level in the Middle Atlas region, this small hill town has a Swiss alpine feel to it. With neat red-roofed houses, blooming flower beds, lake-studded parks and snowbound winters, this remarkable European styled town is often referred to as “Morocco’s Switzerland.” The lush greenery, cedar forests, and pastureland that comes to life in spring and winter is a sharp contrast to the hot and dry climate that surrounds it. Because of its accessibility, Ifrane serves as the winter playground for the wealthy Berbers from drier cites like Fez, Meknes, and Marrakech, who flock here to experience European winter.

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