 Poster: A snowHead
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Anyone know anything about ski resorts in Lebanon? Friend travelling there next week and is going to take her ski boots. Any advice welcome, many thanks 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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wow! thank you for your reply, I'll forward your link to my friend
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@jamelia, http://www.skileb.com/ will give you all the up-to-date info. They also have an android app for your phone.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Cool photos.
Lebanon has surprisingly quite a few ski stations. And a long(ish) season. Not far from the Med if you want a swim. And they are less affected by the Syr*a issue.
SnowHeads should be brave and organize a Bash (trip) there.
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What do you want to know?
Also the first photo is taken in Mzaar ( Faraya ) - which is the largest of the ski areas. Second one is in the cedars.
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A friend of mine - who died a few years ago, in his 80s, told of going skiing in Lebanon when he was doing National Service in the Navy. They were issued with what were called "Pusser's Planks" and just sent up there, with no idea what to do and no proper kit. He didn't enjoy it much......
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I would love to go and its not far from where I work. However I think the security situation is pretty tricky at the moment with lots of Hezbollah and militia activity in the mountains. Lebanon has been hugely affected by Syria with 1.5 million refugees in a country with a native population of around 3 million. A trip to do in a few years.....
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When I was first in the Middle East around 10 years ago, I twice planned a long weekend to Mzaar and both times the airport got bombed the day before I was due to go...
I tried again last season and they had no snow. One day, I'm going. One day...!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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One day
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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The last two seasons haven't been great for snow and this one isn't looking great either. Very late start this year - low snow depths you need at least 30-50cm compacted base in lebanon due to the large angular rocky nature of the substrate on the slopes. no alpine meadows here.
I would not worry about security too much, Faraya and the surrounding areas as well as the roads from beirut pass through majority christian areas. It is the route to the cedars that is more of an issue and any excursions to the south of the country or the Bekaa.
Getting there is going to be a taxi - i would advise against renting and driving a car there. As raceplate mentioned skileb.com is a great source of info. They organise package day trips from beirut. http://www.skileb.com/ski-lebanon/one-day-ski-trip/ the guy that runs skileb is ronald and if you get a hold of him on the phone or by email he is extremely helpful.
There are three main ski rental chains:
- sports experts
- pic blanc
- maison du ski
If your friend gets a taxi herself to the Mzaar intercontinental hotel then they have outlets in the hotel for each of those shops to rent from and its ski in and out.
If shes looking for accommodation then I would advise to stay at the intercon or the Merab which is 500m from the intercon and significantly cheaper but still clean and decent.
When there is powder it is great. Straight constant angle pitches - low avalanche risks and easy access.
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gosh, who knew?
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You know it makes sense.
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@extremerob, thanks for the feedback. It was the Intercon that I had planned to stay at - I think they have their own airport shuttle but I might be wrong. Things might have changed but as I recall the rates quoted via skileb.com were also better than you could get direct from them. Feedback on the Merab is useful - I'd looked at that once, too.
The late start to the season was the problem last season - I could have got away Dec 18-20 but the webcams showed it as green still. I think this season has been the same, nothing really happening until January onwards. Do you have any experience of late season conditions? I could maybe try a weekend at the end of March, first week of April but I'm in Europe before that.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I've skiied over the border in Israel. Ok but not great. You realise you're in the Middle East when you see tanks on the mountain instead of piste bashers.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Raceplate wrote: |
@extremerob, thanks for the feedback. It was the Intercon that I had planned to stay at - I think they have their own airport shuttle but I might be wrong. Things might have changed but as I recall the rates quoted via skileb.com were also better than you could get direct from them. Feedback on the Merab is useful - I'd looked at that once, too.
The late start to the season was the problem last season - I could have got away Dec 18-20 but the webcams showed it as green still. I think this season has been the same, nothing really happening until January onwards. Do you have any experience of late season conditions? I could maybe try a weekend at the end of March, first week of April but I'm in Europe before that. |
They do have their own airport shuttle - which is something I am not sure you get access to if you book through skileb.com. There is another travel agent based in cyprus http://www.varianostravel.com/skileb.htm the contact is Elena, they primarily for the Cpyriot market organise ski trips, flights, transfers and hotels to Lebanon , Greece, Bulgaria. Although being a travel agent they can arrange flights from the UK if desired. They also have the advantage of being able to split your trip so you can do 1 or more nights in Beirut followed by several in Mzaar or vice versa. As for the rates I know they purchase a set amount of rooms each season. If they havent sold them expect some good discounts.
As for the weather that really is something that I have to say you have to play it by ear. In the early 2000's you would have definitely had snow - albeit spring conditions slushy and dug up by 3pm but that is expected. In 2009 I remember I was in Hinterglemm on a course at the start of April with some serious spring skiing. It was just before easter that year and it had dumped down with 1m of snow in Lebanon i think the season lasted just up until may. They tend to getthe beginner slopes going earlier in the season and keep them going later by working the snow.
Last year I was out there at the start of March there had been a dust storm from the Sahara and rain - it was above freezing the whole time and very poor snow conditions. I think there was 1 more significant storm afterwards that gave a good 5 days of skiing but that was the end of a poor season by mid march.
I'd say it is a definite gamble if you were to book a non-refundable trip - I am back there in 3 weeks so will see if mother nature will be on my side.
The effects of climate change
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