Breathtaking Ski Resorts of Lebanon

Lebanon offers premier ski destinations for snow enthusiasts across the nation and around the world.

Snow skiing is a popular sport in Lebanon, attracting local and overseas visitors to the mountainous Arab nation. It was introduced in 1913 when Ramez Ghazzoui, a Lebanese engineer, returned from his studies in Switzerland and introduced his friends to the sport in the mountains near Aley in Mount Lebanon.  In 1934, the first ski club in Lebanon was founded, and the following year the French Army established the first ski school. By the 1940s, Lebanon had established competitions, clubs and ski schools throughout the country, and began competing at an international level.

Skiing is now one of the country’s main attractions, giving rise to its reputation as the “Switzerland of the East”. The Mount Lebanon mountain range facing the Mediterranean, is home to a total of six alpine ski resorts reaching heights of over 10,000 feet and having a combined forty nine ski lifts. All are accessible on a day trip with the nearest ski resorts less than an hours drive from the capital Beirut. The ski season runs from mid December to early April.

With twenty lifts and eighty kilometres of slopes, Mzaar Ski Resort, Kfardebian, is Lebanon’s largest ski resort and, in fact, also the largest ski resort in the Middle East. The resort features a ski school catering to all levels as well as ‘Club des Sports’, training kids of all ages to hopefully become future champions. There is a variety of outdoor activities to try, including: skiing, snowboarding,  snowmobile riding, cross country skiing and even paragliding for those a little more daring. Guests can also take a break from the snow by enjoying one of the many fun indoor activities.

Summer at Mzarr Ski Resort offers adventure, relaxation and indulgence for visitors looking to get away from the bustling city life. Adults and children alike have a plethora of activities to choose from, such as: hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding along the mountains and numerous cross country trails.

With breathtaking views of the colorful Bekaa valley and surrounding mountain peaks,  Mzarr Kfardebian has a lot to offer international travellers looking to experience all the culturally diverse country has to offer.