EMPLOYMENT and tourism are set to receive a major boost in Lesotho in June next year when a new state-of-the-art ski resort opens in the country’s Highlands. With the rand devaluing to record lows against the US dollar and the lack of skiing opportunities during the northern hemisphere summer, the resort expects an influx of international skiers. ”Tourism will receive a major injection because of the skiing season, which spans from June up until September while the European skiing season lasts from December till March,” the resort developers said on Friday. The resort, a four-and-a-half hour drive on tarred roads from Johannesburg, is being built by the Lesotho Government and Afri-Ski (Pty) Ltd. It will have two ski lifts and two slopes of 900m and 1,5 km long and with the aid of snow machines, promises four months of snow. A complete ski training centre and ski equipment will be available. There will also be restaurants, ski training at the ski centre, a bottle store, pharmacy and supermarket. – Sapa