Skiing in Lebanon
Skiing in Lebanon, introduced to the country in the early 20th century, has become increasingly popular. The Mount Lebanon range in Lebanon, occasionally referred to as the "Switzerland of the Middle East", is home to six ski resorts.[1][2] The resorts have a combined 46 ski lifts with runs totaling 30km in length.[3] Ski season in Lebanon starts in December and runs into April.[4]
History
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Skiing was introduced to Lebanon in 1913 when Ramez Ghazzoui, a Lebanese engineer, returned from his studies in Switzerland and introduced his friends to the sport in the hills near Aley.[5][6][7] In 1934, Le Club Libanais, the first ski club in Lebanon, was founded by Mauritius Tabet, Mounir Itani, and sisters Andree Khasho and Aimee Kettaneh.[6][7] The following year, the French Army established the first ski school at Le Grand Cèdre hotel in the Cedars forest in northern Lebanon.[3][5][6][7] In 1937, the school moved to a high mountain barracks, and would later became known as the Military Ski School.[6]
By the 1940s, Lebanon had established competitions, clubs, and ski schools throughout the country, and began competing at an international level.[4] In 1947, Lebanon competed for the first time at the international championship in Chamonix, France, with Michel Samen carrying the Lebanese flag.[6] One year later, Lebanon competed in the Winter Olympic Games for the first time at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland.[8] Four athletes competed – Mounir Itani, Jean Samen, Abdelwahab El Rifai and Ibrahim Geagea.
1961 saw the official establishment of the Lebanese Ski Federation under President Dr. Emile Riachi. It started the golden era of skiing in Lebanon that lasted almost 30 years.
Lebanese skiers participated in the Olympic games and World Championships: Innsbruck (1964), Greece (1967), Sapporo (1972), Innsbruck (1976), Grenoble (1969), Lake Placid (1980), Calgary (1988) and Albertville (1992).
In 1967 and 1972 the federation cooperated helped the Lebanese Army team win the World Championship of Military Ski.
From 1962 until the eruption of the civil war in 1975, a World Cup Competition named “Semaine Internationale du Ski aux Cedres” took place yearly in The Cedars and attracted the world’s most prestigious champions
Lebanese skiing history was at its peak in 1967 when the 26th annual International Ski Federation (ISF) conference was held in Beirut.
Resorts
Lebanon has six ski resorts with groomed slopes, catering to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Beyond the skiable domains await you kilometers of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails waiting to be discovered; Lebanon has something for everyone. Each of the ski resorts has a different flavor; however, it is Faraya Mzaar (Kfardebian) that offers the best infrastructure and facilities for the tourists. The Cedars resort is ideal for nature getaway seekers, and Laqlouq is suitable for families with levels up to intermediate.
Cedars
The Cedars area is utterly beautiful but it is better as a cross country ski resort. People enjoy The Cedars for the ambience and the spectacular views particularly on the Kadisha Valley. The Cedars is at the north end of the Mount Lebanon Range. The resort is a 2 hour drive from Beirut, but only an hour from Tripoli, which is definitely worth a visit. The drive up to the Cedars is through some of the most beautiful scenery in Lebanon.
- History
In 1935, French entrepreneurs established the first ski school at Le Grand Cèdre Hotel in the Cedars forest in northern Lebanon. The school moved two years later to a high mountain barrack and became known as the Military ski School. In 1959, the Lebanese army established the first one seat chairlift that extended to 2700m. Later on, more ski lifts were built by the Keyrouz family and the Cedars became a destination for the Lebanese and International Gotha in the 1960's and early 1970's (until the break out of the civil war in 1975). Famous international movie stars, Presidents and Kings (including the Chah of Iran) have enjoyed the pleasures of skiing in the Cedars and clubbing in the mythical "le Chalet" Hotel (Closed since 1975)and its eccentric owner, Dede Taleb.
- Skiing Area
The resort is in a huge basin and it is impossible to get lost. Half a dozen of ski chairs and ski lifts have been upgraded recently and more lifts are expected in the future. The resort is at 2150m with a chairlift that extends up to 2800m, leading to a wonderful plateau, with an ltitute between 2800m and 3100m.
The off piste around the basin is challenging, with a circuit leading to the old “Chalets” quarter passing through the multi-century old cedars forest.
- Natural Sites
With this resort there are wonderful hikes in the Kadisha Gorge. People can treck along the side of the gorge and climb into the ancient Maronite chapels (built in caves in the rock face), which is an experience in itself.
Faraya Mzaar
Faraya Mzaar Kfardebian or Faraya-Mzaar (Arabic: فاريا مزار), also known as Ouyoune el Simane or Aayoun Al Simane, is a ski area in Lebanon.
- History
Faraya-Mzaar was founded in the late 1950's by Cheikh Salim El Khazen who built the Mzaar hotel and the chair lift initially known as "Le Telesiege". Simultaneously, a group of pioneers, including Sami Geammal, Robert Nassif, Dr Georges Zebouni and Pr Emile Riachi, started the development of the ski resort, building the first ski lift, the mythical "Le Refuge". The group started building the first residential "Chalets" kicking off a period of undiscontinued real estate development in the whole area of Kfardebiane. In the early 1980's, the Saudi-Lebanese al-Mabani Group leaded by Fouad Rizk and Nehme Tohme acquired the majority of its shares and took over the development of the resort.
- Skiing Area
The ski resort has 42 slopes and 80 kilometers of groomed tracks. The skiing season in Lebanon is similar in length to that of the Alps stretching over a period of 4 months]. The peaks of the Faraya Mzaar mountain range vary between heights of 1913 and 2465 meters. The tallest peak, Mzaar, as well as the Nabil and Warde peaks, offer challenges for the experienced skier or snowboarder. Three other peaks are well suited for beginners, and even more are adapted to skier of intermediate level. Skiing ranges between heights of 1310m at Faraya, 1850m (Ouyoune el Simaan) to 2465m on the peak above Mzaar. In addition, there are a number of cross-country trails. From the top of Mzaar, there is a view over the Bekaa valley, Mount Hermon of the Anti-Lebanon and other peaks like Laqlouq and the Cedars. Coastal towns and the capital Beirut can be seen on a clear day.
- Natural and Historical Sites
Situated at an elevation of 1550m at the feet of Faraya-Mzaar, Faqra has monuments which included: temples, columns, altars and rock cut tombs. The temple of Faqra is partly cut out of the living rock. On the way to the ruins of Faqra, one can see a bridge called "Jisr al-Hajar" or the "Stone Bridge" with an arch measuring thirty eight meters.
External links
www.lebanon.com/tourism/cedars.htm www.skifarayamzaar.com/Ski_Cedars,_Lebanon.html www.goasia.about.com/od/countriesaz/a/thecedars.htm www.skilebanon.travel/ www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/196601/ski.lebanon..htm www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298268-d547168-Reviews-Faraya_Mzaar_Ski_Resort-Kfardebian.html www.traveladventures.org/continents/asia/faraya-mzaar-skiing.shtml www.lebweb.com/site/lebanon-skifarayamzaar-
References
- ^ Abigail Fielding-Smith (2008-06-14). "Fears of al-Qaeda forging links in Lebanon". the Scottsman.
- ^ "Getting chic on the slopes of Lebanon:Most come to see and be seen at Lebanon's ski resorts, but the snow and mountains actually aren't at all bad". Reuters. 2004-03-29.
- ^ a b Lebanese Ministry of Enivornment (2001). "Lebanon State of the Environment Report 2001 - Tourism and Recreation"
- ^ a b Frank Coles, guardian.co.uk (March 30, 2006). "Secret skiing". Retrieved July 9, 2008.
- ^ a b William Tracy, Saudi Aramco World, Volume 17, Number 1 (January/February, 1966). "Ski Lebanon!". Retrieved July 7, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e Federation Libanaise de Ski. "Histoire". Retrieved July 7, 2008.
- ^ a b c Hiver.com. "Regions/International - Liban". Retrieved July 7, 2008.
- ^ Comité Olympique Suisse (1951). Rapport Général sur les Ves Jeux Olympiques d'hiver St-Moritz 1948 (PDF) (in French). Lausanne: H. Jaunin. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
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