Top 10 Ski Resorts in Lebanon
Lebanon's mountains hold one of the Middle East's most improbable and compelling ski scenes. The Mount Lebanon range, running parallel to the Mediterranean coast, reaches elevations above 3,000 metres at several points, and the elevation combined with cold winter systems tracking across the eastern Mediterranean delivers a snow season of genuine substance from January through March. At Mzaar, Lebanon's largest resort, it is possible to ski in the morning and swim in the Mediterranean that same afternoon — a juxtaposition that remains startling regardless of how many times you witness it. The country's political and economic instability has at various points disrupted the ski industry, but the mountains themselves remain exceptional, and the Lebanese ski culture — exuberant, social, fiercely loyal to the mountains — is unlike anything else in the region. Open the map to see all of Lebanon's ski areas and mountain facilities.
1. Mzaar Kfardebian, Mount Lebanon
Mzaar, also known as Faraya-Mzaar, is the largest ski resort in the Middle East and a formidable mountain by any regional standard. The resort sits between 1,850 and 2,465 metres, delivering a vertical of around 600 metres across terrain served by more than a dozen lifts including gondolas and high-speed chairs. The skiable area covers roughly 80 kilometres of marked runs spread across four interconnected peaks: Mzaar, Refuge, Jabal Doun, and Osta Wiktor. The terrain spans genuine difficulty levels from gentle nursery slopes to demanding black runs through rocky couloirs. Snow reliability is good at the upper elevations; the resort sits in the path of Mediterranean low-pressure systems that regularly deposit 150 to 200 centimetres of base during peak season. Beirut airport is less than an hour away.
2. The Cedars, North Lebanon
The Cedars ski area, named for the famous ancient cedar grove at its base, is Lebanon's most historic ski destination — skiing has taken place here since the 1920s, making it one of the earliest established ski areas in Asia. The resort sits between 1,950 and 2,850 metres with the upper lifts accessing genuine high-mountain terrain and spectacular views across the Lebanon Range. The vertical is significant and the snow at altitude consistently light and cold. The Cedars receives heavy snowfall — the upper mountain regularly sees 400 centimetres or more in a good winter — and the ski area's north and northeast aspects preserve powder for extended periods. The resort remains smaller and less developed than Mzaar, giving it a wilder, more authentic character that appeals to skiers who prefer terrain over amenities.
3. Faqra Club, Mount Lebanon
Faqra operates as a private club ski area on the northern flanks of the Mzaar massif, and the exclusivity of its membership structure means a very different atmosphere from the public resorts. The terrain covers moderate elevations — roughly 1,950 to 2,200 metres — with well-maintained pistes across intermediate gradient. The club's facilities are immaculate, the clientele predominantly Lebanese upper-middle class and Beirut-based expatriates, and the après-ski culture reflects the sophisticated, Mediterranean-inflected social scene that defines Lebanese mountain life. For those with access, Faqra provides an intimate and superbly maintained ski experience. The proximity to Mzaar makes combining the two areas feasible in a single trip.
4. Laqlouq, Byblos District
Laqlouq sits on a high plateau in the Byblos district at around 1,720 metres, making it somewhat lower than Lebanon's top resorts but accessible and economical. The terrain is gentle and well-suited to beginners and families; the ski area's layout across open plateau ground means good visibility and consistent snow distribution. Snowfall totals are lower than at the northern mountains, but the exposed plateau position means the snow that arrives is processed by cold winds into reliable base. Laqlouq has historically been popular with Beirut families for weekend trips given its straightforward access from the capital and moderate pricing. The resort has modernised its lift infrastructure in recent years. Season runs from late December to late February in good years.
5. Zaarour Club, Mount Lebanon
Zaarour is another private club operation, positioned at elevations between roughly 1,550 and 1,850 metres above the Bekaa Valley escarpment. The terrain is compact but well-developed, the piste grooming consistent, and the resort's social infrastructure — restaurant, lodge facilities — reflects the club culture that characterises much of Lebanese resort skiing. The elevation is the resort's main limitation: warm spells in January or February can affect snow quality at the lower elevation, and the season is sometimes curtailed by mid-February. When conditions are good, Zaarour provides accessible intermediate skiing with the particular warmth and conviviality that Lebanese mountain culture brings to any winter sports outing. Families with young children find the gentle terrain especially suitable.
6. Qanat Bakish, Mount Lebanon
Qanat Bakish lies on the western slopes of the Mount Lebanon range, sitting lower than Lebanon's main resorts but offering a compact ski area that has served as an introduction to skiing for generations of Beirut residents. The terrain is limited in extent and primarily suited to beginners, but the proximity to the capital — under an hour in good traffic — makes it extraordinarily accessible. Snowmaking supports the season when natural snowfall is insufficient at this elevation. Ski schools run structured lesson programmes for children and adults, and the resort plays an important role in the Lebanese ski community as a place of first contact with the sport before skiers progress to Mzaar or The Cedars.
7. Laklouk Adventure Park, North Governorate
Beyond its ski operations, Laklouk has developed an adventure sports offering that includes cross-country skiing tracks and snowshoeing routes across the plateau. The cross-country skiing here takes advantage of the flat terrain that makes downhill skiing less exciting; the marked trails traverse open meadows and cedar woodland with outstanding views west to the Mediterranean and east toward the Bekaa Valley. In heavy snow years, the cross-country experience at Laqlouq and its surroundings rivals the downhill offering at the same location. Nordic skiers travelling to Lebanon specifically find the plateau terrain a welcome contrast to the primarily Alpine character of the other resorts.
8. Faraya Village Snowfields
The village of Faraya and its surrounding snowfields, distinct from but adjacent to Mzaar resort, offer unstructured backcountry terrain that skilled off-piste skiers have explored for decades. The broad upper plateau above 2,200 metres holds reliable deep snow in good years and provides touring routes connecting several of the Mount Lebanon summits. The combination of accessible high-mountain terrain and the near-total absence of marked backcountry routes creates both opportunity and obligation for self-sufficiency. Local mountain guides offer tours of the plateau, and the terrain is especially suited to ski touring with skins — the gradients and distances are well-calibrated for a day's travel with touring equipment.
9. Tannourine, North Lebanon
Tannourine lies in the northern Lebanon Range near the ancient cedar reserve at Tannourine Al Tahta, offering very limited but genuinely high-elevation terrain. The area around the upper slopes reaches above 2,000 metres and the north-facing aspects hold snow reliably. Development is minimal — no modern lift infrastructure, access by four-wheel-drive vehicle when snow permits — but the landscape is dramatic, the cedar woodland extraordinary, and the skiing, for those willing to make the effort, is wild and rewarding. This is backcountry travel rather than resort skiing, requiring touring equipment and appropriate mountain knowledge. The combination of ancient forest and winter mountain deserves wider appreciation.
10. Barouk Cedar Reserve Snowfields, Chouf Mountains
The Chouf Mountains in southern Lebanon contain the Barouk cedar reserve, where the combination of elevation — the highest points reach around 1,900 metres — north-facing terrain, and the thermal protection provided by the forest canopy creates pockets of excellent cross-country and light touring terrain. The Chouf is less frequently visited for skiing than the Mount Lebanon resorts, but dedicated tourers have found quality terrain here in good winters. The reserve's protected status limits access in ways that ensure its preservation. For skiers interested in exploring Lebanon's mountain geography beyond the main resort clusters, the Chouf snowfields represent an under-appreciated dimension of the country's winter landscape.
Planning Your Lebanon Ski Trip
Lebanon's ski season runs from late December through March, with January and February the most reliable months for consistent snow across all elevation bands. Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport is the entry point for all visitors, and the drive from the airport to Mzaar or The Cedars takes between one and two hours depending on traffic and conditions. Lift passes at Lebanese resorts are priced significantly below European equivalents, though accommodation in the mountain villages — particularly around Faraya — has become expensive as domestic demand grows during good snow years. Currency exchange and payment infrastructure have been affected by Lebanon's ongoing economic situation; visitors should research current conditions before travel. The Lebanese ski community is genuinely welcoming to foreign visitors, and the combination of excellent mountain terrain, Mediterranean culture, and extraordinary food makes Lebanon one of the most distinctive ski destinations in the world. Check the map before your trip to plan your route between areas.