Skiing in Lebanon unveiled
Many tourists are amazed that there are skiing resorts in Lebanon, which is better known for its Mediterranean coast and green mountains. Yet just beyond the coast lies Mount Lebanon with no less than six ski resorts. To travel connoisseurs and ski enthusiasts, Lebanon is truly a destination where you can swim in the morning and ski in the afternoon, with many beaches barely an hour away from the ski slopes. This is because the Lebanese coast rises steeply to the mountains, which boast their own microclimate of sun and snow – the ideal conditions for a good ski vacation.
While Lebanon’s mountains have always been snowy, the introduction of ski was relatively recent. When the country was under French dominion in the 30s, the French Army established a ski school near the Cedars in order to train their soldiers in patrolling the snow-capped mountains. Skiing was tough during that time because there were no ski lifts that went up to the peaks, and recreational skiers were lucky if they could climb back up one or two times in a day to enjoy a ski run.
The appeal of skiing as a sport increased significantly when the first ski lift were installed in the 50s. The first ski lift was small in size and was used for only one month during the year, until the government commissioned the building of a larger one in the cedars area. This led to many international events under the auspices of the Lebanese Ski Federation, putting the country on the world ski map. It also led to many Lebanese traveling abroad for ski competitions.
As the Cedars ski resort became famous in the 50s, others cropped up around the country, bringing the number of resorts to six overall. Today, the hotels in these world-class resorts are booked weeks ahead during the winter season, reminding us that the Lebanon mountain range is a true ski destination right off the Mediterranean. A stunning location indeed!
While Lebanon’s mountains have always been snowy, the introduction of ski was relatively recent. When the country was under French dominion in the 30s, the French Army established a ski school near the Cedars in order to train their soldiers in patrolling the snow-capped mountains. Skiing was tough during that time because there were no ski lifts that went up to the peaks, and recreational skiers were lucky if they could climb back up one or two times in a day to enjoy a ski run.
The appeal of skiing as a sport increased significantly when the first ski lift were installed in the 50s. The first ski lift was small in size and was used for only one month during the year, until the government commissioned the building of a larger one in the cedars area. This led to many international events under the auspices of the Lebanese Ski Federation, putting the country on the world ski map. It also led to many Lebanese traveling abroad for ski competitions.
As the Cedars ski resort became famous in the 50s, others cropped up around the country, bringing the number of resorts to six overall. Today, the hotels in these world-class resorts are booked weeks ahead during the winter season, reminding us that the Lebanon mountain range is a true ski destination right off the Mediterranean. A stunning location indeed!
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