Lebanon's Mzaar Ski Resort opened its slopes in early January, marking the start of the winter season.
Faraya, Lebanon © Mena Today
Lebanon's Mzaar Ski Resort opened its slopes in early January, marking the start of the winter season.
However, not all of the country's ski resorts have been able to take advantage of the extended weekend due to insufficient snowfall.
The success of this ski season also hinges on the region's fragile security situation, particularly the tense ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Resorts like Mzaar, Laqlouq, the Cedars, and Zaarour are eagerly awaiting heavy snowfall in the coming days to fully launch their winter activities, but the forecast remains uncertain.
On the Israeli side, Mount Hermon—the country's only ski resort—remains closed due to security concerns. Located on the border with Syria, the area is far from ideal for skiing enthusiasts seeking to navigate challenging black diamond slopes.
As Lebanon's ski industry balances both natural and geopolitical challenges, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the winter season can proceed as planned. Tourists and locals alike are hopeful for safer conditions and significant snowfall to revive the winter sports economy.
By Antoine Khoury
The European Union unveiled a new strategy on Thursday aimed at revitalizing and strengthening its relations with countries in the southern Mediterranean, including Lebanon and North African nations such as Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, and Syria.
Israel said on Thursday it was preparing for the reopening of Gaza's Rafah crossing with Egypt to let Palestinians in and out, but set no date as it traded blame with Hamas over violations of a U.S.-mediated ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his government’s determination to secure the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza, stating Thursday that "the fight is not over" for Israel, two years after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.
Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.