Mzaar Kfardebian

Mzaar Kfardebian (Arabic: مزار كفردبيان‎‎ — formerly Faraya Mzaar[1]) is a ski area in Lebanon and the largest ski resort in the Middle East. It is located one hour away from Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. It is also referred to as Ouyoune el Simane.[2]

History

In 1960, Sami Geammal, Emile Riachi and a group of pioneers installed the first ski lift imported from Switzerland, on the "refuge" hill and built the first four chalets in the region. One year later, they bought 160,000 square metres (40 acres) of property from Prosper Gay-Para in order to expand the resort area.[3][4]

In 1963, the Faraya Mzaar - Tourism and Winter Sports Company was launched with Sheikh Salim El-Khazen as the principal shareholder and financed by banker Joseph Abdo Khoury who later became the company Chairman and General Manager. The company acquired the concession to build and operate ski lifts on lands belonging to the Kesrouan district municipalities. In 1965, the Faraya Mzaar Hotel opened its doors, and the company installed the first Chairlift on the Jabal Dib Hills. The junction between "Refuge" and "Jabal Dib" was achieved in 1968 through the installation of the resort's third lift which was named "Jonction". In the 1980s, during the civil war, the Faraya Mzaar Company was taken over by the Saudi Group al Mabani led by Fouad Rizk and Nehme Tohme. In 1993, after the Lebanese civil war ended, the new group started the expansion of the resort when a three-seat chairlift was installed reaching the Mzaar peak, the highest peak of the area, and more chairlifts were to follow. In 2012, the resort's number of lifts reached 20 (including 7 lifts installed in the "Wardeh" area created in 1999) with around 80 kilometres (50 mi) of slopes.

Name controversy

"Mzaar" is the Arabic word for sanctuary. The highest mountain in Ouyoune el Simane was called "jabal el mzaar" (mountain of the sanctuary) after a small Roman temple built on its top. It is believed that the Romans were using fire as signals to communicate between the coastal area and Baalbeck, or Heliopolis, through Faqra and the Mzaar peak. The temple was totally destroyed during the civil war (1975-1990) and its stones were stolen. The real name of the area is Ouyoune el Simane (Meaning Simane springs) and it is administratively under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Kfardebian, which is also the case for the Faqra area, although the resort is commonly but inaccurately referred to as "Faraya-Mzaar" or "Faraya".

Skiing area

Ski season usually stretches from early December to early April (carter, dunston & thomas, 2004).[5] Today, the infrastructure of the Mzaar-Kfardebian reaches a global level: the ski resort is constituted of 42 hills that extend on 80 kilometres (50 mi). Skiers, snowboarders, and hikers come during their holidays from all around the world.[6]

Skiing ranges between heights of 1,850 metres (6,070 ft) at Mzaar-Kfardebian, to 2,465 metres (8,087 ft)on the peak above Mzaar. On the top of Mzaar slope, upon exiting the chairlift, there is a view over the Bekaa Valley, Mount Hermon of the Anti-Lebanon and other peaks like Zaarour, Laqlouq and the Cedars. Coastal towns and the capital Beirut can be seen on clear days.

The peaks of the Mzaar-Kfardebian mountain range vary between heights of 1,913 and 2,465 metres (6,276 and 8,087 ft). The highest peak is Mzaar, followed by Wardeh and Jabal Dib (mountain of the wolf) Peak, offer challenges for the experienced skier or snowboarder. Three other peaks are well suited for beginners, and even more are adapted to skier of intermediate level. In addition, there are a number of cross-country trails.[7] Usually, opening hours during the week is from 8am to 3:30pm but it extends until 4pm during the weekend (carter, dunston & thomas, 2004).[5]

A large variety of other activities and excursions are also available.[6]

Along with traditional alpine skiing, people can practice ski-doo, night skiing, snow boarding. Entertainment such as ski shows and fashion shows, including G-string models, are organized to promote the resort.[8]

Natural and historical sites

At an elevation of 1,550 metres (5,090 ft), Faqra is home to well preserved Roman temples, columns, altars and rock cut tombs.

On the way to the ruins of Faqra, one can see a natural water-crafted bridge called "Jisr al-Hajar" or the "Stone Bridge" with an arch measuring 38 metres (125 ft). [9]

Ski clubs

Mzaar-Kfardebian is home to several different Lebanese Ski Clubs which are affiliated to the Lebanese Ski Federation which was founded in 1961

See also

References

Mema, J. P. (Photographer). (2008). Faraya from the sky. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Faraya/photos/5241

  1. ↑ "Ski Mzaar.com; September 27, 2015".
  2. ↑ "Skiing in Lebanon". BootsnAll World Adventures. January 7, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Tourism in Lebanon | May 1, 2012".
  4. ↑ "History of Oyoune el Siman | May 1, 2012".
  5. 1 2 carter, T., dunston, L., & thomas, A. (2004). Syria and lebanon. (p. 424). Lonely Planet.
  6. 1 2 Ski liban. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.skiliban.com/
  7. ↑ "Mzaar Ski Resort Interactive Map". skileb.com.
  8. ↑ "G-string models promote Lebanon ski resorts". Middle East Online. March 16, 2007.
  9. ↑ http://Www.naturalarches.org/gallery-Lebanon-jisrelhajar.htm

Sources

External links

Coordinates: 34°00′39.90″N 35°49′29.38″E / 34.0110833°N 35.8248278°E / 34.0110833; 35.8248278

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