The Cedars in Lebanon via in the snow
Planning your winter holidays and want something a little more exotic for the family? Lebanon offers a rare alpine escape in the Middle East—high-altitude slopes within close reach of the coast, cedar forests and mountain villages. You can ski by day and swim by night. Resorts such as Mzaar Ski Resort Faraya, Cedars (Bsharri) Ski Resort, Zaarour Club, Laqlouq, Faqra and the nearby Cedars of God (Bsharri) forest region deliver a mix of skiing and nature. But the future of winter tourism here is being challenged by changing seasons and climate change.
Where to Ski in Lebanon:
Lebanon has downhill and cross-country skiiing. From In the Snow
Mzaar Ski Resort Faraya: Located in the Keserwan-Jbeil mountains and just over an hour from Beirut, Mzaar is Lebanon’s largest ski resort and a go-to for all ski levels. It offers dramatic views across the Bekaa Valley. For travelers, this is the most accessible destination and contains a wide range of slopes, accommodations and après-ski options.
Cedars (Bsharri) Ski Resort: In the Bsharri region, the Cedars resort lies near the famed “Cedars of God” grove and operates at higher altitude than many Lebanese resorts. Because of the elevation, it tends to offer better snow cover and is a strong choice for those seeking reliability and dramatic alpine scenery.
Zaarour Club: Zaarour is situated on Mount Sannine in the Matn district, about 35 km from Beirut. With north-facing slopes, activities beyond skiing, and a quiet setting, it’s ideal for families or visitors who want a gentler ski trip within close reach of the city.
Laqlouq lies at a lower base altitude (around 1,650-1,800 m) and while it offers charm and authenticity, its lower elevation means more sensitivity to warm weather and shrinking snow cover. If you visit, plan for a flexible schedule and keep an eye on snow conditions.
Faqra combines winter sports with historic Roman ruins and natural beauty. Though not always as large as Mzaar or the Cedars, it offers a distinctive ski-holiday option in Lebanon’s mountain belt.
Cedars of God (Bsharri) Region: While not strictly a ski resort itself, the Cedars of God forest near Bsharri forms a spectacular backdrop to the ski resort experience. The high-altitude forest of Lebanese cedar trees is emblematic of Lebanon’s mountain ecosystem. It adds ecological and cultural value to a ski visit in the region.
Why the Ski Seasons Are A-Changin’
Ski by day and stay in Beirut by night
Lebanon’s ski industry is under pressure from climate change. According to Reuters, snow cover is expected to shrink by up to 40 percent by 2040. A recent review notes that ski resorts in Lebanon face the challenge of insufficient snow, increasingly shorter seasons and rising expenses. For example, at Mzaar only about 70 percent of slopes were able to open in one season due to insufficient snowfall. Lower snowfall, delayed season openings, and rising temperatures all contribute to uncertainty for visitors and operators alike.
What this means for you as a skier: choose resorts with higher elevation (like the Cedars), monitor local snow and weather reports ahead of your trip, and set realistic expectations—the skiing season may begin later, end sooner, and conditions may not be the same every year.
Lebanese resorts and communities have begun to adapt. And despite the country lacking basic resources such as continuous power or a safe water supply, some of the measures include upgrading snow-making infrastructure, improving the efficiency of ski lifts, and diversifying into four-season mountain tourism.
Ski resorts in Lebanon are coping by turning the region into a full-season tourist destination, like Blue Mountain in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, which turns its ski lifts into bike lifts for downhill bike riding on extreme trails. The Canadian ski town also offers forest treks and climbing sports, along with man-made pools and family packages for the resorts that normally don’t generate income in the summer.
So if the snow is melted for your ski holiday in Lebanon, this is what you can do: enjoy hiking, mountain biking, wellness retreats—to compensate for shorter ski seasons. Participate in forest conservation and the protection of mountain ecosystems (such as the Cedars of God) to maintain snow-catch and water-storage functions.
Planning Your Ski Trip to Lebanon
Here are some tips to maximize your ski holiday in Lebanon:
• Go early or late in the season: mid-January to early March tends to offer the best conditions, though keep an eye on real-time snowfall. Book a flexible ticket for flights and hotel rooms if possible.
• Choose high-altitude resorts: resorts like the Cedars have more reliable snow because of elevation.
• Flexibility helps: check snow reports, know that slope availability may vary, and look for resorts that offer other activities if snow is thin.
• Book accommodations near the slopes: resorts like Mzaar and Zaarour are close to the coast and Beirut, making logistics easier.
• Respect the environment: Lebanon’s mountains are ecologically fragile—choose resorts and services that demonstrate sustainable practices.
If you’re looking for a ski escape that blends altitude, Mediterranean views and unique mountain culture, Lebanon is still an exciting choice and one you can talk about when you return home. Resorts like Mzaar Ski Resort Faraya, Cedars (Bsharri) Ski Resort, Zaarour Club, Laqlouq and Faqra offer a range of experiences from lively slopes to tranquil escapes. However, the window for consistent snow is narrowing, and the effects of climate change are real. Planning ahead, choosing your resort wisely and embracing the full mountain experience (not just snow) will give you your best chance of a memorable trip. Lebanon’s mountains aren’t just skiing locations—they’re landscapes in transition, and your visit can both enjoy and support their evolving future.
According to Planet Ski, “There are currently 68 countries in the world that offer equipped outdoor ski areas covered with snow. Even if snowfields are much more numerous there are about 2,000 ski resorts worldwide. Besides the major ski destinations in terms of skier visits, there are a number of other, smaller destinations, where skiing has been an industry for a long time, or is currently developing.”
The most obvious emerging destinations are Eastern Europe and China, according to the expert ski site. There are a number of other small players spread out across the globe and they are in: Cyprus, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Lesotho, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkey and several more. Have a ski experience to share in a less-travelled area? Send us a report [email protected].
For more background on Lebanon’s ski industry and climate change, read
Put Away Your Snowboard: Lebanon’s Slopes Are Melting, which looks at how higher temperatures have already cut the skiing season in half.
If you’re comparing Lebanon with other regional options, see 5 Top Ski Holidays in the Middle East,
which includes Mzaar in Lebanon alongside other regional ski spots.
For a broader look at eco-conscious winter travel and skiiing, link to our past coverage on Where to go for a sustainable ski holiday?, which weighs up greener ski choices and resort practices.
Author: Karin Kloosterman
Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist, innovation strategist, and founder of Green Prophet, one of the Middle East’s pioneering sustainability platforms. She has ranked in the Top 10 of Verizon innovation competitions, participated in NASA-linked challenges, and spoken worldwide on climate, food security, and future resilience. With an IoT technology patent, features in Canada’s National Post, and leadership inside teams building next-generation agricultural and planetary systems — including Mars-farming concepts — Karin operates at the intersection of storytelling, science, and systems change. She doesn’t report on the future – she helps design it. Reach out directly to [email protected]
