Best Spots for Skiing in Lebanon: 6 Resorts and a Snow Trail
Real snow, an hour from the Mediterranean. Here is how Lebanon’s six ski areas compare, and where to go if you would rather snowshoe.
- Region
- Mount Lebanon and the North
Yes, you can ski in Lebanon, and it is not a novelty. The Mount Lebanon range catches heavy winter snow, its summits rise above 3,000 meters and the nearest slopes are about an hour’s drive from Beirut. On a clear day at Mzaar or Faqra you look down over the Mediterranean while standing in snow, and in a good spring you can ski in the morning and sit by the sea in the afternoon.
The country has six ski areas, from the large, lively Mzaar Kfardebian to small, quiet slopes that suit families and beginners. Together they have dozens of lifts and a few hundred kilometers of pistes. Below is what each one is like, plus a snowshoeing option for those who would rather walk.
How we chose
We kept all five resorts from the older version of this page because they are real, operating ski areas, corrected facts that were wrong (such as altitudes and history) and added Zaarour, the sixth resort, plus a snowshoe trail. Details come from the resorts’ own information, established travel guides and reference sources. We do not list lift prices or opening dates, because both change every season with the snow.
The ski spots
1. Mzaar Kfardebian (Keserwan)
Mzaar, above Faraya and Kfardebian, is Lebanon’s largest ski area and the one most people mean when they talk about skiing here. It began in 1959 as Ouyoun el Simane, and today it has 42 slopes spread over connected sectors between about 1,850 and 2,465 meters, with around 18 lifts. There are runs for every level, from wide beginner slopes to steep, challenging pistes off the top, along with hotels, chalets and plenty of restaurants. The season usually runs from December to April, depending on snowfall.
Tip: weekends are crowded and the road up from Faraya jams, so ski on a weekday if you can, or leave Beirut very early. Warm up afterwards with a glass of mountain wine from Château Fakra, made in Kfardebian.
2. The Cedars (Bsharri, North Lebanon)
The Cedars ski area, high above Bsharri and the Qadisha Valley, is the oldest in Lebanon: a ski school opened there in the 1930s, and the resort hosted international competitions in the 1960s and early 1970s. The slopes start around 2,000 meters and sit under the country’s highest summits, so the snow often lasts longer here than anywhere else. Several lifts serve gentle slopes that suit beginners, and the open terrain is good for cross-country skiing and ski touring.
Tip: it is a two to three hour drive from Beirut, so stay at least one night. Bring back organic apple cider vinegar or juice from Les Vergers des Cèdres in Bsharri, or a bottle from Muse du Liban, whose vineyards sit at about 1,800 meters in nearby Ainata.
3. Faqra Club (Keserwan)
Faqra sits next to Mzaar, at the foot of Mount Sannine, and is a private club resort built in 1974. Its slopes run from roughly 1,800 to 2,400 meters, with pistes for all levels and views over the coast and Beirut. Access is mainly for members and their guests, so it is quieter than Mzaar. The Roman temple ruins of Faqra are close by and worth a stop on a clear day.
Tip: if you are not a member, ask a friend who is, or check with the club before driving up.
4. Zaarour Club (Metn)
Zaarour sits high above the Metn villages, an easy drive from Beirut’s eastern suburbs through pine country, and about 30 minutes by car from Qanat Bakish. It is a private resort with slopes between about 1,700 and 2,000 meters, several lifts and around 20 kilometers of runs for all levels, with views of Mount Sannine. It also has a cross-country trail of about 4 kilometers.
Tip: Zaarour is a good choice for a half day, because you can be back in Beirut for lunch.
5. Laqlouq (Jbeil)
Laqlouq, in the mountains above Byblos, is a family favorite. It sits between about 1,750 and 2,200 meters on a wide plateau, with gentle slopes, ski instructors and an equipment hire shop. The rolling terrain is also excellent for cross-country skiing. It is about 60 kilometers from Beirut and around 30 from Byblos.
Tip: pair a ski day here with a night in Byblos, so you get mountains and the old town in one weekend.
6. Qanat Bakish (Metn)
Qanat Bakish is small and intimate, at around 1,900 to 2,050 meters, close to Zaarour. It has fewer crowds than the big resorts, good snow in a decent winter and open slopes suited to all levels. The atmosphere is relaxed and a little old-fashioned, which is exactly why regulars like it.
Tip: check snow conditions before you go, since smaller resorts are the first to close in a dry winter. On a good snow day, though, it is one of the most relaxed places in the country to learn.
7. Snowshoeing in Horsh Ehden and the high trails (North Lebanon)
Not everyone wants lifts and crowds. Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve above Ehden offers snowshoeing through cedar, fir and juniper forest, and adventure operators such as 33North run guided winter snow expeditions in the high mountains. It is a calmer, quieter way to enjoy the snow, and you do not need ski experience.
Tip: always go with a guide in winter. Trails are hard to read under snow and the weather can turn quickly.
Tips
- Fit snow chains or use a 4×4. Mountain roads ice up, and on snowy days cars without chains may be turned back before the resorts.
- Check the weather and the resort’s own updates before you leave, because storms close roads and lifts.
- Rent gear at the resort or in Faraya rather than carrying it from Beirut.
- Wear sunscreen and sunglasses. The sun is strong at altitude and the snow reflects it.
- Go in February or early March for the most reliable snow, and on weekdays for the shortest lift queues.
Make a weekend of it with our guide to Faraya and Mzaar, or head north to the Cedars of God and the Qadisha Valley.
