Lebanon: a country where you can ski in the morning and swim in the sea on the same day

If you want to ski in the morning and go for a refreshing swim in the afternoon, look no further than this unique country and its slopes.

An Eastern country with a fascinating history located in the heart of the turbulent Middle East, it boasts one of the oldest inhabited cities in our civilization, Byblos. Moreover, this country is home to magnificent Roman ruins that still exist today. Lebanon is the name of this small country that is a center of vast cultural and religious diversity. With an area of only 10,452 square kilometers, Lebanon is a small state bordered by large states that have been involved in wars for a long time. However, the small country is the safest in the region, and visitors will enjoy an authentic experience. The ski slopes of this country are located just minutes from its charming beaches. The beautiful geography of this country means that most destinations are no more than a two-hour drive from each other due to how close the mountains are to the coast. Lebanon has been a unique country for a long time and Lebanon has been ranked as the number one destination for morning skiing and afternoon swimming. But no one can believe this slogan unless he visits the country. Indeed, experiencing this unique feature is not available all year round, as snow melts on Lebanon's mountains when the hot summer comes. However, those who travel at a specific time of the year can easily witness the beauty of the majestic experience.

What is the largest ski resort in Lebanon?

Kfardebian Shrine (formerly Faraya Mazar) is a ski area in Lebanon and the largest ski resort in the Middle East. It is located one hour from Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. They are also referred to as Siman eyes. The ski season in Lebanon is similar in length to the Alpine ski season and extends over a period of 4 months.

The town of Faraya has several luxury ski resorts where people can enjoy their favorite hobby, and later they can drive on a sunny day for about 40 minutes to the old city of Byblos or the beautiful city of Batroun, two areas located on the sea and ideal for a refreshing afternoon swim. Apart from enjoying ski activities in the resorts of Faraya, people also visit the city's natural bridge, which is an amazing act of nature. They can also see the beauty of the waterfall in this Lebanese city, visit the famous Shabrouh Dam, and discover the historical Roman ruins. This is what to do in this charming coastal city in Lebanon.

Batroun

The beautiful city of Batroun is ideal for spending a summer holiday in Lebanon. The area has many luxurious sea chalets, pristine sandy beaches, and crystal clear waters. Moreover, people can visit Batroun's luxurious pools to spice up their trip. Moreover, culture lovers can learn about the city's Roman, Phoenician and Byzantine history. They can also take a tour of the city's best wineries, sample the best Lebanese restaurants, and celebrate until dawn.

A stop through the streets of Batroun to drink a unique lemonade is a must when visiting this wonderful city. It is also essential to visit Villa Paradiso there and enjoy the delicious pizza in the beautiful jewel of Mariolino. Delicious seafood is also a trademark of the city's restaurants. When visiting Lebanon, the tourist should see the depth of beauty in the country's geography as well as the urban life of Beirut, Tripoli and Tyre.

Cable car and keen

One of the favorite activities in winter that is ideal for tourists is the cable car ride from Jounieh to Harissa and the amazing view you get from the top of the mountain. The cable car, or Téléphérique as it is known, starts from the coastal level in Jounieh and travels up the steep slope of the mountain to reach Harissa, where there is an impressive statue of the Virgin Mary and when touring the city the music echoes from the church built at the base of the statue.

Looking at Jounieh from here is incredible, because in winter, due to heavy rainfall, the horizon is crystal clear. A short walk from the statue is another church, St. Paul's Church, which has interesting architecture from the outside with its domes and high tower. But what is completely unexpected is what you find when you enter the church. Each surface on the interior walls and ceilings is covered with shimmering mosaics. They are especially beautiful at dusk when the faint light shines on the golden tiles.

skid

There is more rain in Lebanon's eastern mountains than in the Bekaa Valley, despite being far from marine influences. Much of this precipitation appears as snow, and the peaks of Lebanon's eastern mountains, such as Lebanon's mountain peaks, are covered with snow most of the year.

Skiing in Lebanon is a cultural experience in itself. For one thing, it can be cheaper than skiing in Europe once ski tickets, rentals, transportation and accommodation are taken into account. Due to the small size of the country, you don't have to travel long to get from the slopes to the city centre, opening up a range of accommodation possibilities. With the snow season starting from mid-December to early April, Lebanon has six ski resorts. The largest is located only 46 kilometers from Beirut. All offer good accommodation options, and prices vary greatly depending on the season.

If you're a first-time skier, the Lebanese mountains are perfect for learning as they're not as exciting as the European cliffs. The weather is milder, and the mountains tend to be smaller, so learning is much less difficult. But if you are an experienced skier, there are many wonderful slopes, the party atmosphere in Beirut also extends to the ski culture, so you will always meet interesting people and find things to do after a long day on the slopes. It is a must for winter tourists!

The snow-covered ski slope has two ski lifts that rise parallel to the top of the mountain.

Snow cedar

There are many cedar reserves to choose from in Lebanon, but they are all spectacular, especially in the winter months. Snow covers walking trails to create some of the most enchanting views in the area. The Shouf Cedar Reserve in particular is a favorite of many tourists, as its trees still live up to two thousand years and grow alongside newly planted shrubs.

Lebanon is famous for the cedar trees that King Solomon used to build its temple in ancient times, and the Bible mentions them as a symbol of power and is depicted on the Lebanese flag itself. Unfortunately, cedar trees cover only a very small percentage of Lebanon's mountains while covering more than half of the country's forests due to the exploitation of Lebanon's resources by other countries throughout history and deforestation in general.

The reserves are committed to replanting lost forests and slowly returning Lebanon to its original glory. Tourists can walk through the forests, take pictures and play in the snow if they visit in winter – an activity ideal for all ages.

Jbeil City

A city rich in culture all year round with its beautiful souks, beaches and traditional Lebanese architecture. But when the Christmas lights go out in December, Byblos turns into a winter wonderland. Every year a huge tree is placed at the entrance to the city and its design varies every birthday. However, they are always full of creativity and impressive.

After seeing the tree, walking around the city in the evening becomes amazing, especially along the coastline. Hundreds of small colourful boats dock in the bay, and the old castle is another great tourist spot overlooking the city and the sea. It is very well preserved and has a small museum of artifacts from the castle for those interested in history.

The opportunity to buy Christmas gifts from small market stalls after walking through a park filled with Christmas lights is a unique Lebanese experience given the country's religious diversity and the freedom of Christians to celebrate their holidays in the Middle East. Overall, Byblos is the perfect destination to encourage your Christmas spirit. When the Christmas lights shine in December, Byblos turns into a winter wonderland.

Winter waterfall

Lebanon's natural beauty never fails to amaze, and the Tannourine waterfall during the winter is no exception. Located in the Baatara Gorge pit in Chatine, it has a natural ground bridge that people can walk through to see the waterfall up close. It is a limestone gorge, but it is covered with snow in the winter months.

You can't swim in the fjord and the drop-down menu is very dangerous, but watching the powerful waterfall flow into the pool is truly magical. In addition, walking to the waterfall is challenging but very fun, especially when you stop to play snowball.

Travelers to Lebanon will not suffer from long queues or crowded attractions like in other countries. In addition to all the unique activities one can do in Lebanon, there is a unique feature that people can take advantage of, which you will never find in other parts of the world.

What to know before traveling to Lebanon

The tiny country of Lebanon welcomes people of different nationalities to visit, as most foreign nationals can get a free 30-day visa once they arrive at Beirut International Airport, the main airport in the country's capital. Moreover, this visa can be extended for an additional two months. People can reach Lebanon by air, where there are several direct flights to Europe and connecting flights to the Americas. Another thing that tourists in Lebanon should pay attention to is to carry their passport at all times because the country's roads are full of many checkpoints. The Lebanese people are known for their kindness and hospitality, and people visiting the country will have the opportunity to meet residents from different cultural backgrounds. As with all Middle Eastern countries, people drive crazy to Lebanon. It is for this reason that caution is recommended when renting a car there. Those who want to tour the country without renting their own car can take advantage of the bus transport system, taxis and other public transport services in the country.

In addition, those who like to travel to Lebanon by sea can take a ferry cruise from Cyprus. Lebanon is now facing an unprecedented economic crisis that has led to the collapse of its local currency, the Lebanese pound, by more than 1,500%, which is very horrific for the country's population but ideal for tourists who can travel to the country and benefit from cheap and very affordable tourism.

Lebanon offers a lot: from ancient Roman ruins, to well-preserved castles, limestone caves, historic churches and mosques, beautiful beaches located in the Mediterranean Sea, world-renowned Lebanese cuisine, nightlife and non-stop discos, to mountain ski resorts.