What You Need to Know about Skiing in Greece

While tourists flock to Greece in the summer, this nation of 6,000 islands also is an excellent winter vacation destination. It may be too chilly to swim or bask on the beaches in the winter months, but the cold weather is ideal for visiting Greece’s many ski resorts. Greece is one of Europe’s most mountainous nations, and skiers in some areas can enjoy a stunning view of the ocean on their way down. The peaks in Greece range from 1,400 to roughly 2,500 meters, and many are home to charming chalets and world-class ski resorts. The ski season in Greece runs from November to early May.

Parnassos Ski Centre

Only a two-hour drive from Athens, this popular resort offers slopes for everyone, from adrenaline junkies to beginners. The Parnassos Ski Centre is known for its excellent services and variety of slopes, as the mountain has 19 ski runs, seven ski routes, 10 trails, and three beginner runs. The slopes stay open from 8 am to 8 pm on Saturdays, offering ski lovers plenty of time to explore the mountain. Equipment rentals are available, as are ski and snowboard teachers for newbies.

If you need a rest from skiing, you can dine at the restaurant, relax in one of two café-chalets, or hang out in nearby Arachova, a lively Greek mountain village. For a change of pace, visit the nearby ruins at Delphi, one of the world’s most famous archaeological site. Delphi is open year-round and is a great place to view ancient ruins and get a taste of how the country’s oldest civilizations lived.

Vasilitsa Ski Centre

Snowboarders will love Vasilitsa, home to some of the best snowboard runs in southeastern Europe. The resort is about 2,110 meters above sea level in the Pindos Mountains in Macedonia, and its 16 ski runs cover a variety of terrains on two mountains. The resort has two chalets with lodging and food, and visitors can rent equipment at a small snowboarding shop. Two chairlifts carry skiers to runs, with the longest ride traveling to the summit at an altitude of about 2200 meters. Skiers on the slopes near the main peak will enjoy a view of Mount Olympus as they travel down the mountain.

Mount Pelion Ski Centre

One of the oldest ski centers in Greece, Mount Pelion Ski Centre is set among mountainous villages and picturesque peaks about five hours’ drive from Athens. The center operates four slopes that total 5,000 meters, and along with skiing, visitors can try snowboarding and mountain artillery skiing. At about 1,400 meters, Mount Pelion offers skiers views of the Aegean Sea on their runs. Slopes cater to beginning and advanced skiers, and night skiing is available on the weekends.

There are a variety of accommodations in the area. The ski center can sleep about 80, and the nearby villages of Hania, Portaria, and Makrinitsa also have lodging. Because it’s a smaller resort, prices often are lower at Mount Pelion. Professional skiers offer lessons, and equipment is available for sale or rent. After a day on the mountain, skiers often head to the resort’s chalet or into the nearby coastal town of Volos, which is known for its more than 600 tsipouradika tavernas that traditionally serve small plates of food (mezedes) and a strong alcoholic drink called tsipouro.

Falakro Ski Centre

The largest ski center in northern Greece, Falakro is a great place to learn how to ski and build experience. It has four ski schools on site, and a nearby ski shop sells and rents equipment. A gorgeous plateau surrounds the resort, and views are especially good in the spring when rare wildflowers bloom on the mountainside. The resort has nine ski lifts and 20 runs.

There is also plenty to do off the slopes in Falakro. Two chalets, where skiers can relax in front of a warm fire, are situated at the bottom of the slopes, and several nearby towns, including Volakas, Drama, and Granitis, offer lodging and dining. Around the Nestos River, visitors can hike, take jeep safari rides, and cycle. Falakro is about 170 kilometers from Thessaloniki and 670 kilometers from Athens.

Metsovo Ski Centre

Located in northwestern Greece in the Pindos Mountains, Metsovo Ski Centre offers alpine and cross-country skiing in a beautiful natural setting. This resort is set between altitudes of 1360 and 1620 meters, and its easy, short runs are geared toward beginner and average skiers. There are three lifts, five slopes, several cross-country trails, equipment rental, and a ski school, and the resort has an artificial snow system to generate powder when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Visitors who just want to check out the slopes can ride on a snow wagon that tours the area.

The resort has an especially picturesque stone chalet with a restaurant and coffee shop. In the town of Metsovo, which is about four kilometers away, there is plenty of lodging available.