Mount Hermon ski resort
| Mount Hermon ski resort | |
|---|---|
View of the ski-resort and the cable cars
|
|
 Mount Hermon ski resort
Location within the Golan Heights
|
|
| Location | Golan Heights |
| Nearest city | Majdal Shams |
| Coordinates | 33°18′29″N 35°46′21″E / 33.30806°N 35.77250°E |
| Top elevation | 2,040 metres (6,690 ft) |
| Base elevation | 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) |
| Skiable area |
|
| Runs | 14 |
| Lift system | 11 |
| Website | www.skihermon.co.il |
Coordinates: 33°18′29″N 35°46′21″E / 33.30806°N 35.77250°E
The Mount Hermon ski resort (Hebrew: אתר החרמון) is situated on the south-eastern slopes of Mount Hermon, a few kilometers off the Purple line, in the Israeli-occupied portion of the Golan Heights. The site is surrounded by the Hermon nature reserve. While the nature reserve is open year-round, the ski resort is open only at the peak of winter (usually January–March), when enough snow is accumulated on its ground.
The Hermon site is linked to Judeo-Christian traditions. In the Bible, it is referred to as Ba'al Hermon, Sion, Sirion and Senir. According to the Gospels, Caesarea Philippi is located at its base, and the mountain is believed by some to be the site of the Transfiguration.
The first lift was installed in 1971, largely with assistance from the Jewish Agency for Israel, and the resort first opened to skiers in December 1971. The next considerable expansion came in 1981 when the region fell under Golan Heights law, which allowed for easier expansion. Additional lifts were added gradually during the next 20 years. Since 1981, the Golan Heights have been governed under Golan Heights Law, and during this period the resort has expanded considerably. The resort includes a wide range of ski trails for novice, intermediate, and expert levels. It also offers additional winter family activities such as sledding and Nordic skiing. The resort is unusual in not having been built by a town, and there is still no town at the resort, so those who operate the Hermon Ski area live in the nearby Israeli settlement and Moshav of Neve Ativ and the town of Majdal Shams. The ski resort has a ski school, ski patrol, and several restaurants located at either the bottom or peak of the area. The base of the resort is at 1,640 m (5,380 ft), and it peaks at 2,073 m (6,801 ft). The resort has 7 red pistes, 3 blue pistes, 2 black pistes and one green piste. The resort also has several facilities for summer visitors. As the highest point in Israeli controlled areas overlooking Syria and Lebanon it is also in a very strategically important position for the IDF. In peak season more than 12,000 people can be on the mountain each day. The resort has also added a snowpark.
...
Wikipedia