Skiing in Cyprus

It is surely not Cyprus that ski enthusiasts think of in search of new skiing destinations. And yet. Cyprus is probably the only destination that offers skiing and enjoying the seaside on the same day. As it is possible to rent ski equipment on site, it is a nice wink during a stay on the island. Even if you don't choose Cyprus for a snow holiday, aficionados will like to do a few descents on these slopes which are named after Greek deities before taking advantage of the many possibilities for water sports and hiking.

If the impressive massif of Mount Troodos is above all a hiker's paradise, with valleys covered with vines, fruit trees and cedars, its higher slopes are often snow-capped. Andreas, a ski instructor in winter, and who took part in the Olympic Winter Games in 1980, even goes so far as to say that “snow is guaranteed from January to March. »The highest point on the island (1,950 m), Mount Olympus offers several ski slopes on its north-eastern face, allowing skiers of all levels to set off on a white carpet. For beginners, there are even several ski schools that offer lessons in skiing, snowboarding, cross country, mini skiing.

Rope and belts

The Cyprus Ski club was established in 1947 by a group of Cypriot and English skiers. At that time, the Troodos was only frequented in the summer, when crowned and wealthy heads across Europe and Arab countries were looking for a little cool.
The first ski lift was an ingenious system: a diesel engine drove a sailor's rope to which the skiers hung on with a belt. Since then, several modern ski lifts have emerged. In 1963, Cyprus joined the FIS, International Ski Federation and in 1969, the famous northern slope hosted the first international ski competition.

In 1978 three Cypriot skiers competed in the Alpine Skiing World Championship in Garmisch-Partenkrichen and in 1980 the Cypriot flag was first flown at the Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid in the United States. And if the Cypriot competitors do not bring back medals, what does it matter! The dream is intact on the tracks which are named Zeus, Hermes or Héra. Decidedly, mythology is never far away on the island of Aphrodite!