Lebanon has six ski resorts, and the nearest are about an hour from Beirut. The season usually runs from mid-December to April, depending on snow, and in spring you can sometimes ski in the morning and be on the coast by the afternoon, according to the Wikipedia overview of skiing in Lebanon.
The start of the season depends on the weather. In 2025 to 2026 the first real snow came late: the Cedars opened at the end of December and Mzaar in the first days of January, as L’Orient Today reported. Check the resort’s own snow report before you plan a date.
Ski resorts in Lebanon at a glance
| Resort | Where | From Beirut | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mzaar Kfardebian | Kfardebian, above Faraya | About 1 to 1.5 hours | The largest resort, with three ski areas |
| The Cedars | Above Bsharri, in the north | About 2.5 to 3 hours | The highest slopes, from about 2,150 to 2,850 m |
| Faqra | Next to Mzaar | About 1 to 1.5 hours | A private club |
| Zaarour | Metn mountains | Around 1 hour | Small resort |
| Laqlouq | Mountains above Byblos | Around 1.5 hours | Small resort |
| Qanat Bakish | Metn mountains | Around 1 hour | Small resort |
Drive times are for a clear road on a weekday. Snow, weekends, and Sunday-evening traffic back to Beirut can make them much longer.
Mzaar Kfardebian
Mzaar is the largest resort in Lebanon, with slopes stretching over about 40 km when most of it is open. It sits above the village of Faraya, which has chalets, rental shops, and restaurants, and it has three ski areas, with passes for one area or for all of them.
Day passes cost much more on weekends than on weekdays. A winter 2026 price list put an adult full-day pass at roughly $35 to $45 on weekdays and $50 to $70 on weekends, depending on the ski area, but listings for the same season disagree, so check the price at the resort or on its official channels.
Mzaar is about an hour from Beirut with a clear road. Our Beirut to Faraya taxi page covers the drive in detail.
The Cedars
The Cedars ski area is the oldest in Lebanon and the highest, between about 2,150 and 2,850 metres, and its season can start in November and last into late April. It is also far: about 130 km from Beirut, through Bsharri and the Qadisha Valley. A day trip is possible but long, so many visitors stay the night in Bsharri or at the Cedars.
A day ticket has been listed at around $40 for adults, though the listing does not say which season it is from. The cedar grove itself, the Cedars of God, is a few minutes from the slopes. See our Beirut to the Cedars page for the road and the drive time.
Winter roads to the slopes
The mountain roads are the hardest part of a ski day in Lebanon. After heavy snow, the Traffic Management Center announces closed roads and roads open only to four-wheel-drive cars or cars with chains, and some routes past the resorts, such as Faraya to Mayrouba, have been blocked by snow in past winters.
- Check the snow and road news the evening before and again in the morning.
- Leave Beirut early: the road up fills by mid-morning on weekends.
- On Sundays, coming back down in the late afternoon can take several hours. Leaving the slopes early, or staying until after dark, helps.
- If you drive yourself, carry chains and know how to fit them.
Getting to the slopes from Beirut
There is no public bus to the ski resorts, so the choice is between driving, a shared shuttle, or a private driver.
- Driving yourself works if you have a car fit for snow and chains.
- Shared ski shuttles run from Beirut to Mzaar in the season and are the cheapest option if you are alone.
- A private driver takes you from your door, with room for skis, boards, and bags. A minivan fits up to 7 people, which suits a family or group, and the driver can take you straight from Beirut airport to your chalet. Send the date, the resort, and how many people and skis on WhatsApp, and ask about the road and the car when you book. We reply with a price per car, not per person.
Skiing and the sea on the same day
In March and April, when the snow is still good higher up and the coast is warm, some visitors ski at Mzaar in the morning and spend the afternoon by the sea in Jounieh or Byblos, about an hour below. It needs a clear road and an early start. Our day trip guide to Jeita, Harissa and Byblos covers the coast.
Practical tips
- Ski on a weekday if you can: passes cost less and the slopes and roads are quieter.
- Bring cash in US dollars for passes, rentals, and food.
- Rent skis and boots in Faraya or at the resort the morning you ski, or the evening before.
- Wear sunscreen and sunglasses: the sun is strong at this altitude even in January.
Questions about skiing in Lebanon
When is the ski season in Lebanon?
Usually from mid-December to April. The exact dates depend on snowfall, and some winters start late.
How far is Mzaar from Beirut?
About an hour by car with a clear road. On weekend mornings and Sunday evenings it can take much longer.
Do I need chains to drive to the ski resorts?
After heavy snow, some mountain roads are open only to four-wheel-drive cars or cars with chains. Check road news before you leave.
