Skiing in Lebanon   by Victor Killy

Lebanon has six ski resorts with groomed slopes, catering to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Beyond the ski-able domains await you kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails waiting to be explored; Lebanon has something for everyone. Each of the ski resorts has a different flavor; however, it is Faraya Mzaar Kfardebian that offers world-class infrastructure and facilities for the tourists. It is also the only resort offering 5 stars accommodation at the Intercontinental Mountain Resort & Spa.

Faraya Mzaar Kfardebian resort has 42 slopes and 80 kilometers of ski tracks. The skiing season in Lebanon is similar in length to that of the Alps stretching over a period of 4 months. Skiers, snowboarders, snowmobile addicts, cross-country lovers and paragliders come to the resort from all parts of the country. 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 might visit the stunning 30 meter natural bridge of Kfardebian formed by wind and water erosion, and also ruins of a Phoenician temple and a Roman tower.

At Faraya Mzaar Kfardebian 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 as well, and it is also an ideal resort for beginners as the lower slopes are wide and gentle.

On the Internet
Today, thanks to the Internet, ski Lebanon reaches the whole world through the Web site www.skileb.com. The portal has become a reference to winter activities and outdoors trips in Lebanon. It was created by Ronald Sayegh to unveil Lebanon's slopes for first class skiing in a friendly and unique atmosphere. It consists of an index allocating resources in all ski resorts, in addition to articles, ski news, Web cams, on-line contests, e-newsletters, and the most competitive ski packages.

All six resorts have been thoroughly scanned to collect as much reliable information as possible by meeting inhabitants of each village, interviewing resort owners, visiting lodges and sport shops. Booking your ski holiday has never been so easy. In just 3 steps, you can:
- select your preferred accommodation,

- choose all extra services needed like transfers, lift tickets, ski rental, insurance, etc. and obtain an immediate quotation,

- and finally, confirm your booking and pay online. Our travel specialists will be glad to assist and make sure to cater for all your needs.

About the Author

I'm an avid skier who has tested 66 ski resorts already and would like to share my experience with passionate snow mates. I'm now 54 and don't intend to stop skiing yet ;)