 Poster: A snowHead
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There's something pretty incredible about being able to ski on an island in the Med.
I've skied on Mt Etna in Sicily, and it was fantastic. We swam in the Med in the morning (pleasantly warm despite it being January), and then skied in the afternoon. I think they have three downhill resorts there - two on Etna and one lower level one. We skied on the main Etna one which has several chairlifts and a gondola (I think), and one hotel high up the mountain (around 2,000m) where we stayed.
I've heard you can ski in Corsica but I think there's only one resort left now (used to be several).
Think you can also ski in Cyprus but haven't really looked into that.
Anyone been to these or any other islands?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I learned to ski in CYPRUS (curtesy of HM Government !!) :: it is quite limited (three drags and a chairlift) ; when I looked at the webcams last Feb, they had no snow.....  -- You can do the 'ski in the morning, swim in the afternoon' thing but I found the sea rather 'cold'......
http://www.skicyprus.com/webcam/
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Thu 20-11-14 17:58; edited 1 time in total
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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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Lebanon is meant to be ok. It's not an island but does have the mountain/beach combo. I'd just go for a proper skiing holiday and later in the year a proper summer holiday. Have the best of each rather than a mediocre versjon of either.
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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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The rumour was that the Crete drag is no longer as it is in a national park or the suchlike - still seemed to be a reasonable amount of snow even in early May this year up top.
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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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I think there are some drag lifts in Sardinia as well. I guess it is pointless to go there specially for this, unless you just happen to be there in the winter.
Why not consider Isola 2000 or Auron in France - short drive (1 or 2h max) from Nice and the sea - and proper, large resorts.
Sierra Nevada in Spain will be similar but much longer drive to the sea I think. Or you could have city break in Grenada and drive to the resort. Apparently you can see the sea from some of the runs.
Or there are resorts in Morocco or Lebanon as mentioned (I think a few with chairs etc).
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Wed 19-11-14 11:05; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Tom W, Yes and you can see the snow on the top from the beaches.
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The GR20 long distance trail takes you past a (the?) ski area in Corsica. In fact the hotel/hostel/ski lodge is a popular overnight stop on the route. It looked very stuck in the 70s to me. Photos suggested that snow was very unreliable and I imagine it is only operated opportunistically with the clientele being locals driving up from Ajaccio etc
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While it obviously isn't an island, I've skied on Mt Parnassos in Greece at New Year, which was really pretty good and overlooks the sea, and then had an evening meal in a taverna at nearby Galaxidi on the coast. Wasn't warm enough for a swim, but an amazing contrast nevertheless.
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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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Breakfast in Nice, ski all day in Isola 2000 and back to Antibes for dinner and a few beers. In fact, the bus used to cost €1 each way and went from both the airport and the train station. Dead easy, used to do it often when living out that way. Not an island but it could be argued that the CDA is a bit of a bubble...! :0)
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I will dare to speak for Greece since i come from there...
As said above there was a draglift in Krete but since many years everything left to the dust....
However if you like touring ski you could do it until April or sometimes later...and then go down and swimm...
i think the best option is around april in Mt Parnassos...maybe end of April...the last days of operation...
Of course dont expect Val Thorens..but you are able to do a couple of hours or more, excellent ski, then go down, and go for swimm...ok the water maybe a little cold but its is possible...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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amazing pictures
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Cyprus is still a possibility but like Scotland you get good years and bad years for snow cover. Same goes for Lebanon (which of course is not an island).
Here from our very own snowBase (anyone ever use it.....?) is the Cyprus link http://www.cyprusski.com/main/default.aspx
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You know it makes sense.
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Cyprus has a few ski schools too ...
(photo taken a few years ago before they switched to the Euro)
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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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There's skiing on the Pelion, near Volos in Greece. Not an island, but close to beaches (inc Damouchari where some of Mama Mia was filmed)
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Poster: A snowHead
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Many thanks for these responses, and photos. What a splendid resource this website is!
So in summary, sounds like there are essentially three islands with ski lifts - Sicily, Corsica and Cyprus.
I think Etna Sud in Sicily has the most extensive facilities of any Med island resort with a 700m VD, gondola and chairs.
How cool would it be to do a tour of the Mediterranean ski islands by boat?!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Again, not an island, but skiing sea views available in Scotland:
- Moray Firth visible on a clear day from Cairngorm.
- (I think) Loch Linnhe - sea loch(!) is visible from Nevis Range 
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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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Top of Loch Linnhe, all of Loch Eil (both sea lochs) and Loch Lochy (fresh water) visible from Nevis Range. Think I've seen the Sound of Sleat too on an exceptionally clear day. Have seen Skirza Beach from Cairngorm on another,very clear day >60 m away. Can of course also see Loch Morlich (fresh). Might even be able to get some pictures. Had a bit of a computer disaster otherwise it would be easy.
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