Having a reputation of sun-kissing beaches on the Mediterranean coastline and bustling city life, Lebanon turns into an enchanted winter wonderland when the snow starts falling. The varied nature of the country is further enhanced by mountainous terrain of the majestic Mount Lebanon mountain to the peaceful cedar forests, which make the country be among the most adventurous winter destinations in the Middle East. Having just the right combination of snow-capped mountains, warm snow lodges, and well-preserving frosty towns, Lebanon is a thrilling winter holiday destination to the person in need of adrenaline rush winter in Lebanon.
Be it you are an extreme skier, snowboard, or the person who liked the excitement of snowmobiling through extensive snowy areas, Lebanon would have something that would suit every adventure lover. The beauty is its diversity, one day you will glide on the snowy mountains, and in several hours, you will have a cup of coffee on the Mediterranean seashores. With the availability of the mountains and the current resorts, adventure tourism in Lebanon is easily accessible and memorable. The small but beautiful nation unites an impressive combination of adventure, culture, and nature in a busy ski resort of Mzaar Kfardebian to the sights of the quiet Cedars of God. GoKite Travel is bidding you come to join the best winter activities in Lebanon that will not only give you a crunch of adventure but also a slice of true Lebanese hospitality and panoramic beauty.
Here are the Top Winter Activities in Lebanon for Adventure Lovers
1. Skiing in Lebanon Mzaar Kfardebian: The leading winter resort in Lebanon
Mzaar Kfardebian is the jewel in winter sports in Lebanon. Mzaar is the largest and most favored ski resort in the country and it is only an hour drive away in Beirut. It has more than 80 kilometers of gradients that serve amateur and professional skiers. The Bekaa Valley and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea leave spectacular panoramas which make skiing in these places a visual treat.
Mzaar has top-tier skiing amenities, rental gear, and ski schools to the novices. Off-piste and tough downhill routes are available to adventure seekers, which are endurance games and skill games. The culture of après-ski is a supplement to the fun, as luxurious lodges, comfortable chalets, and nightlife make it a total package to the travelers.
Mzaar Kfardebian should be visited by tourists intending to travel to Lebanon on the adventure basis. For those who are racing the slopes or are spending time having a quiet hot chocolate by the fire, the feeling of the Lebanese winter is best captured by the Lebanese mountain resort.
2. Snowboarding Adventures in The Cedars (Arz el Rab)
Cedars of God, among the oldest ski resorts in the Middle East, is the place that provides an adventure experience and heritage in snowboarding. This is a land of old cedar forests, which turns into a snowy miracle in winter. The snowboarding participants will find the snowboarding to be an excellent condition due to the sharp mountain air and the ideal powder snow.
The Lebanese mountain top activities are at their height in winter with an awesome natural scenery encircling the mountains. The Cedars ski resort offers contemporary lifts, groomed trails and enough chances of freestyle snowboarding. There is also more than just the sport to see as visitors can visit local markets, the old cedar trees in the area that are thousands of years old.
The Cedars is not simply about thrill, it is also about being in touch with Lebanese natural and cultural heritage. To the lovers of the winter sports in Lebanon, this place will be a memorable place to visit amidst one of the most legendary sceneries within the nation.
3. Snowshoeing and Hiking at the Qadisha Valley
Otherwise, skiing or snowboarding is not your passion, snowshoeing in the Qadisha Valley is a relaxing but also enjoyable experience. During winter, the valley is covered with snow and is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which has a magical effect in long walks throughout the nature. You will go through monasteries hewn out of the cliffs, antique stone bridges, frozen rivers, all in a perfect silence.
Snowshoeing gives the touristic the opportunity to reach some of the isolated regions of Lebanon that are usually unreachable during other seasons. It makes a perfect option to eco-travelers and individuals who prefer to travel slower to Lebanon in adventure travel. Tours are offered, which are safe and offer local ideas regarding the history and culture of the valley.
Qadisha Valley is in numerous aspects the nature of the soul of Lebanese winter, that is calm, pure, and spiritual. It is that winter activities in Lebanon can be as thought provoking as they are exciting.
4. Snowmobiling in the Mountains of Laklouk
To adrenaline thrill seekers, there can be no better activity than snowmobiling on the mountainous landscape of Lebanon. One of the best places to experience this shocking winter activity is Laklouk which is located northeast of Byblos. Massive snow-plains and mountainous terrain make it ideal in high-speed adventure activities.
Snowmobiles are available in the area and rented by local operators as well as guides who will take you through pine forests, open fields and mountain tops offering breathtaking scenic views. It is also one of the most exciting winter sports in Lebanon that provides both excitement and a view in equal proportions whether you are going alone or with your friends.
Laklouk is so appealing with its crude beauty and naturalness. It does not involve the commercialized nature of the other resorts and is a rustic experience that allows you to enjoy the nature. To all the tourists booking with GoKite Travel, a snowmobiling session in Laklouk would be a great idea to visit the wild winter scenery in Lebanon.
5. The Tannourine Reserve is the favourite location where people go to cling on to the ice and climb it
When you are an adventure lover and you want to do something more than the usual winter sporting activities, then you should climb ice in the Tannourine as it is the ultimate challenge. It has thick cedar forests and steep cliffs that during the cold months, the reserve turns into a vertical playground of ice. Ice falls and rock formations keep the climbers coming to see them.
It is an exercise which is suited to seasoned climbers or those who have been guided by professional climbers. It involves the physical strength, concentration of the mind, and the right safety equipment. But the prize is not to be undervalued--the top and the view of the snows on the valleys beneath Lebanon is a triumph, pure triumph.
Ice climbing is an uncommon and memorable winter activity in Lebanon, an adventure travel activity that is a must in the country to individuals interested in adventure tourism.
6. Cross country skiing in the Bekaa Valley
Another winter event that should not be overlooked in Lebanon is cross-country skiing, but it is also a great experience. Bekaa Valley, the valley which lies between the mountain Lebanon and the mountain Anti-Lebanon are very wide and open areas that the sport requires in this endurance based game. It is a good method of enjoying the countryside landscape of the country and being dynamic.
Vineyards and historic ruins are also a characteristic of this area, which means that the tourists can unite sport and sightseeing. Just think of skiing on an antique temple and having a wine-tasting vacation at a nearby vineyard - it is a kind of Lebanese experience which combines the culture and adventure in one.
7. Paragliding in Snowy Peaks
Paragliding is perceived to be in summer but winter paragliding in Lebanon is becoming popular among adventure seekers. You are off the snowy mountains of Mzaar or Cedars and can fly above snow-covered valleys and experience breathtaking views of the coastline and countryside.
It is an adventure that provides the aerial perspective of the dramatic winter scene in Lebanon. It is an activity that is both exhilarating and relaxing at the same time, rather than spending time in a car that fills the air around you with noise, you can spend time floating with the clean winter air and just the wind surrounding you.
When the adventure in Lebanon planned by you is a heart-throbbing adventure and memorable scenery, then winter paragliding is a must.
8. Leaning back at Mountain Resorts and Spas
Winter activities in Lebanon do not necessarily have to be extreme. Most tourists spend days skiing and sightseeing but after the activities, they decide to relax in upscale mountain resorts. Faqra and Faraya are some of those places where you can find a boutique lodge and spa retreats where you can experience hot stone massage, thermal baths, and fireplaces etc with beautiful snowy scenery.
These health retreats would be the best complement to the adrenaline rush of winter sports in Lebanon as the tourists would have a balance of adventure and rest. Lots of resorts serve the local Lebanese cuisine, including warm soups, mezza, and the traditional desserts to finish the adventure day in an indulgent manner.
9. A tour of Winter Festivals in Lebanon
The festive spirit of Lebanon does not disappear with the cold, on the contrary, it becomes alive. In mountain towns, such as Ehden, Bcharre and Zahle, there is the winter festival which includes live music, food stalls, and traditional dances. These events bring the Lebanese culture to light and give the travellers an energetic means of marking the season.
Attending such festivals, visitors will get to see another face of winter activities in Lebanon - the one that is community-oriented, joyful, and local-oriented. These are those moments that adventure lovers will get a cosy cultural contrast to the snowy escapades.
10. Scenic Drives and Photography
The winter scenery in Lebanon is a dream to a photographer. The mountain roads that go through snow-covered mountains and cedar woodlands provide myriad of possibilities to take beautiful pictures. Drives through such scenic routes as Faraya to Zahle or Bcharre to Qadisha Valley are not only picturesque, but are also a great deal peaceful.
To those who value beauty over adventure, this activity is a perfect side to the high-energy winter sports in Lebanon. Each twist and turn presents a postcard-perfect picture to be taken and treasured.
Conclusion
Lebanon is a place where one cannot predict anything, particularly during winter. The country is a paradise of experiences, with a dazzling variety of activities and adventures to enjoy in the snow-white snow-slopes, and relaxing walks in the cozy old valleys, of any sort of traveler. You can be racing down the slopes of Mzaar, climbing on the cliffs of icy heights in Tannourine, or enjoying a glass of wine in the snow-covered Bekaa Valley, and the opportunities of winter sports in Lebanon are inexhaustible.
Lebanon will be one of the most fulfilling places in the region to adventure lovers who want to experience a blend of culture, adventure and beautiful nature. The adventure travel in Lebanon is something that can be remembered forever due to its easily reachable mountain resorts, welcoming people, and spectacular views. GoKite Travel is your travel tourism partner in ensuring you make the most of your trip and as such, to arrange your next trip, consider GoKite Travel and they will take you to the most exciting places in the world. Be it high-adrenaline winter sports in Lebanon you are seeking, or you just desire to reunite with the magic of the snow-covered villages, GoKite Travel has you covered with a hassle-free, well-crafted and adventure-filled holiday experience that would put the magic of Lebanese winter in a bottle.