Skiing in Lebanon in Mzaar Faraya and the Cedars ski resorts

Every visitor to Lebanon has heard that this is the only country in the world where one can ski on snow in the morning and swim in the waters of the Mediterranean in the afternoon. This is due to a moderate climate and to the fact that Lebanese mountains rise up above a very narrow coast. Even the highest resorts are only a short drive from the coast, which offers on a clear day some breathtaking views.

Skiing in Lebanon became widely popular in the 1930’s and the first ski lifts were installed in the 1950’s in the Cedars resort. Today Lebanon has six ski resorts with groomed slopes, catering for skiers and snowboarders from all levels. Beyond the skiable domains await you kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails waiting to be explored; Lebanon has something for everyone. Each ski resort has a different flavor; however, it is Mzaar Kfardebian Ski Rsort, previously referred to as Faraya Mzaar, with its world-class infrastructure and the Cedars with its charming atmosphere that retain most of the attention.

Mzaar ski resort has 42 slopes and 80 kilometers of ski tracks, and falls one hour away from Beirut. The skiing season in Lebanon is similar in length to that of the Alps, stretching over a period of 4 months from mid-December till early April. Skiers, snowboarders, snowmobile addicts and cross-country lovers book this resort from all parts of the world. Starting at 1850m, you may reach the 2465m top of Mzaar and enjoy the breathtaking view over the colorful Bekaa Valley, Mount Hermon of the Anti-Lebanon and other peaks like Laqlouq and the Cedars. Coastal towns and even Beirut the capital might be seen on a clear day. Those who want a break from skiing will enjoy a big variety of après-ski activities and excursions proposed by SKILEB.com

At Mzaar if you are an advanced skier, you will need at least two days to ski the best of the resort and start searching for new tracks. An option here, if looking for a more challenging day, is to hire a guide from the ski school to show you other exciting areas. Intermediates will have a lot of fun, and it is also an ideal resort for beginners as the lower slopes are wide and gentle.

The Cedars resort is located in the North of Lebanon at two hours from Beirut. Located at a high altitude of 2000m, the Cedars resort has a slightly longer season than the others, sometimes beginning early November and often lasting until late April. The resort is beautiful and the lifts are in a huge basin, with several new chairlifts added in 2006. From the top of the mountain, off-piste skiing and down-hill thrills are a common practice. For beginners, the Cedars is paradise, offering several snow-wire lifts on gentle slopes. An alternative suggestion is to practice cross-country skiing which is unmatched at the Cedars, mainly because of the charming surroundings and nature. Snowmobile trips are also a common practice at the resort.

Online booking

Thanks to the Internet, skiing in Lebanon reaches the whole world through our website www.skileb.com that was launched in 1997.

The portal has become the online gateway for all ski holiday bookings to Lebanon for both individuals and groups. It was created to unveil Lebanon's slopes for first class skiing in a friendly and unique atmosphere. It provides information for all ski resorts, in addition to articles, ski news, live webcams, on-line contests, e-newsletters, and the most competitive packages.

Booking your ski holiday has never been so easy. Using our Build-Your-Own Trip technology, and in just 3 steps, you can:

- select your preferred accommodation,
- choose all extra services needed like airport transfers, lift tickets, ski rental, ski lessons, holiday insurance, etc. and obtain an immediate quotation,
- and finally, confirm your booking and pay online.

Our travel consultants will be glad to assist and make sure to cater for all your needs. You can also email us at [email protected] or simply call +961.3.236623.

Ski and See Lebanon

On top of providing ski activities, SKILEB.com would recommend some après-ski excursions; so why don't you ski and see Lebanon as well? The country has a lot to offer in terms of historical sites, natural beauty places or tourist attractions. Various recreational and cultural activities can be provided as après-ski entertainment, or you can choose a full day excursions in case of a bad weather or during your optional stay in a hotel in Beirut. After securing your booking, we will propose some optional excursions departing from your hotel in the resort.

SKILEB.com is part of Grey Matter SARL agency and is specialized in mountain tourism. Visit our corporate website www.greymatterX.com

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