In Pictures

Hitting the slopes at Lebanon’s oldest ski resort

The Mzaar ski resort at Kfardebien caters mostly to the local population, but also draws curious international tourists.

There are six ski resorts in Lebanon, but Mzaar ski resort at Kfardebien is the oldest and largest. It operates from the beginning of December to the end of April. [Constance Decorde/Al Jazeera]

8 Mar 2017

Kfardebian, Lebanon –Reaching 2,465 metres above sea level, Mount Mzaar, the highest point of the Mzaar ski resort at Kfardebien, has a breathtaking view of the Bekaa Valley on one side and the Beirut coastline on the other.

Operating for more than a half-century, the resort is Lebanon’s oldest ski resort, catering mostly to the local population. Around 7,000 skiers were hitting the slopes on a recent Saturday.

“Skiing is a Lebanese passion shared by our employees, all from the region, and by skiers from the four corners of Lebanon and even from the Gulf and the Emirates,” director Christian Rizk told Al Jazeera.

Lebanese cousins Nour and Sandra said they had come to the resort to “try a different station from where we always go, and test several slopes”. At the same time, a group of French and Swiss tourists had arrived on a “snow holiday”, with one noting: “It looks like Switzerland or the Alps; the only difference is the spoken language and the sun.”

Nader, who has worked as a rescuer at the resort for 23 years, noted that 'most of the accidents are broken ankles and shoulders, nothing too serious'. [Constance Decorde/Al Jazeera]

This chairlift climbs to the highest point of the ski resort, Mount Mzaar. [Constance Decorde/Al Jazeera]

Although there has not been much snow in Lebanon in recent years, a recent snowstorm covered all of the station's chairlifts. It took the maintenance team hours to defrost and clean the equipment to get it ready for that day's skiers. [Constance Decorde/Al Jazeera]

On top of Mount Mzaar, this church is the highest one in Lebanon, the resort's director noted with pride. [Constance Decorde/Al Jazeera]

Skiers can enjoy breathtaking views over Lebanon. [Constance Decorde/Al Jazeera]

These young Lebanese women said they had come to spend the whole day at the resort. [Constance Decorde/Al Jazeera]

This year's skiing season has been the best in Lebanon in recent years, with numerous snowstorms. [Constance Decorde/Al Jazeera]

Nicole Wakim, who has worked at the ski resort since 2005, noted: 'We organise many events, from torchlight runs, lingerie shows and snow parks, to nightly and festive events. The idea here is to ... have fun in every way.' [Constance Decorde/Al Jazeera]

Marwan, 45, a Lebanese native who lives in Dubai, came to the resort with family and friends. 'Tourists are sometimes afraid to come to Lebanon, and do not think to come there to ski,' he noted. [Constance Decorde/Al Jazeera]

For cousins Nour and Sandra, this is their first time at the resort; they usually ski at another resort in Lebanon. Skiing is a passion for their whole family, they said. [Constance Decorde/Al Jazeera]

At the end of the day, the sun sets over the snow-covered mountains. [Constance Decorde/Al Jazeera]

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