Located in the Bsharri mountains of northern Lebanon, Cedars of Lebanon is the oldest ski resort in the country, with its first lift installed in 1953. It is named after the ancient trees found in the heart of the village and boasts a long ski season that typically lasts from November to late April.
Things to do in Cedars of Lebanon
If you’re a beginner skier, you can practice your skills on one of the gentle slopes that can be accessed along the Cedar of Lebanon’s chair lifts. Experienced skiers can take advantage of the steep off-piste or cross-country trails that wind through the spectacular natural surroundings. Cedars of Lebanon is renowned for its après-ski, with several restaurants clustered in its village.
Away from the snow, you can visit the nearby village of Bcharreh, which is the birthplace of Lebanon’s most famous poet and visual artist, Khalil Gibran. Browse his paintings, drawings and personal belongings on display in the Gibran Museum, an old cavern where hermits have sought refuge since the 7th century. A monastery was built here by Carmelite monks in the 19th century and was purchased by Gibran in 1926 as his final resting place.
To the west of Cedars of Lebanon lies the spectacular Kadisha Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been recognised for its early Christian monastic settlements. See the rock-hewn Qannubin Monastery and explore the cave of Our Lady of Hawqa before visiting the impressive Monastery of Qozhaya dedicated to St. Anthony the Great.
Getting around Cedars of Lebanon
The Cedars of Lebanon is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Tripoli and just over two hours from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport. Buses connect the ski resort with major settlements across the region while seven ski lifts transport skiers throughout the resort area.