If you picture Greece, sun holidays on perfect sandy beaches, wandering around colossal dusty ruins, exploring pretty villages, eating fresh Mediterranean fare outdoors, sipping wine while taking in sea views, and swimming in impossibly blue waters all probably come to mind. It is less likely that you think of skiing. And, yet, Greece actually is a rather surprisingly good place to ski. It is an incredibly mountainous country and, as a result, there are plenty of snow-capped peaks during the winter months. So, if you have found a vacation rental in Greece this winter, you might consider hitting the slopes!
Here are some of the best places to ski in Greece.
Here are some of the best places to ski in Greece.
1. Parnassos Ski Centre
This ski resort on Mountain Parnassos is the most popular in Greece and is just a two hour drive from Athens. With two peaks, Kellaria, which is 1750m high, and Fterolakas, which is 1950m high.Incredibly well-equipped, it boasts 13 ski lifts, 19 ski runs, 7 ski routes, 10 trails and 3 mini beginner runs, two cafe-chalets, a restaurant, and ski and snowboard schools, stores to buy and rent ski and snowboard equipment. Operating from December into the beginning of May, it is very well organised and has a nice long season to make the most of! Just find a vacation rental in Peloponnese, and come try it out.
2. Ski Resort Voras Mount Kaimaktsalan
The GreeceSki Resort Voras – Kaimaktsalan was opened in 1995 and, in the years since, has gone on to become one of the best ski centres in Greece. Located on Mount Voras, northwest of Thessaloniki, it has 6 ski lifts, 13 ski runs that are 15 km in total length, 4 ski trails, a snowboard park, and a snow tubing park. Known as the “Winter Mykonos”, Kaimaktsalan is known for attracting the rich and stylish and is the resort to be seen at. A must for those on a winter holiday in Central Macedonia.
This ski resort on Mountain Parnassos is the most popular in Greece and is just a two hour drive from Athens. With two peaks, Kellaria, which is 1750m high, and Fterolakas, which is 1950m high.Incredibly well-equipped, it boasts 13 ski lifts, 19 ski runs, 7 ski routes, 10 trails and 3 mini beginner runs, two cafe-chalets, a restaurant, and ski and snowboard schools, stores to buy and rent ski and snowboard equipment. Operating from December into the beginning of May, it is very well organised and has a nice long season to make the most of! Just find a vacation rental in Peloponnese, and come try it out.
2. Ski Resort Voras Mount Kaimaktsalan
The GreeceSki Resort Voras – Kaimaktsalan was opened in 1995 and, in the years since, has gone on to become one of the best ski centres in Greece. Located on Mount Voras, northwest of Thessaloniki, it has 6 ski lifts, 13 ski runs that are 15 km in total length, 4 ski trails, a snowboard park, and a snow tubing park. Known as the “Winter Mykonos”, Kaimaktsalan is known for attracting the rich and stylish and is the resort to be seen at. A must for those on a winter holiday in Central Macedonia.
3. Kalavrita Ski Resort
Close to Athens, on Mount Helmos, you'll find the Kalavrita Ski Center, the second largest ski resort in Greece, which has 12 different slopes, of varying competency levels: 2 difficult, 2 intermediate, 6 easy and 2 very easy. There are also 7 ski lifts, special areas for snowboarding and other extreme sport, snack bars, cafes, restaurants, shops for renting or buying ski equipment, and a ski school. The town of Kalavrita itself is beautiful and due to the long season, it is often possible to ski and swim on the same day. If that sounds or appealing or you have a range of skill levels to cater for in your group, it is another great option for those holidaying in Peloponnese.
4. Mount Pelion Ski Centre
Located in one of the most beautiful areas of Greece, where you will find stunning beaches, lush forests, and quaint mountain villages, this is a lovely spot year round but the Mount Pelion Ski Center at Agriolefkes makes it especially appealing during the winter months. There are 5 ski slopes and 4 lifts, a chalet with restaurants and cafes, and a ski and snowboard school. For those into pretty views and who have found a vacation rental in Thessaly, it is a must.
5. Mount Olympus Elatochori Ski Center
Yes, that Olympus. Why not go skiing on the mountain that was home to the Greek gods. Located on the northern slopes of Greece's most famous mountain, the Elatochori Ski Center has 6 slopes, 2 lifts, a snowboarding and sled run, 2 ski schools, a shop for buying or renting equipment, and a chalet. If you're in Peloponnese and love the legends of old, this iconic destination can be your only choice!
So, while you might not have thought of skiing in Greece before, there actually is a surprising number of excellent resorts, beautiful destinations, and iconic locations to explore if you're looking for a winter destination with a difference.
Close to Athens, on Mount Helmos, you'll find the Kalavrita Ski Center, the second largest ski resort in Greece, which has 12 different slopes, of varying competency levels: 2 difficult, 2 intermediate, 6 easy and 2 very easy. There are also 7 ski lifts, special areas for snowboarding and other extreme sport, snack bars, cafes, restaurants, shops for renting or buying ski equipment, and a ski school. The town of Kalavrita itself is beautiful and due to the long season, it is often possible to ski and swim on the same day. If that sounds or appealing or you have a range of skill levels to cater for in your group, it is another great option for those holidaying in Peloponnese.
4. Mount Pelion Ski Centre
Located in one of the most beautiful areas of Greece, where you will find stunning beaches, lush forests, and quaint mountain villages, this is a lovely spot year round but the Mount Pelion Ski Center at Agriolefkes makes it especially appealing during the winter months. There are 5 ski slopes and 4 lifts, a chalet with restaurants and cafes, and a ski and snowboard school. For those into pretty views and who have found a vacation rental in Thessaly, it is a must.
5. Mount Olympus Elatochori Ski Center
Yes, that Olympus. Why not go skiing on the mountain that was home to the Greek gods. Located on the northern slopes of Greece's most famous mountain, the Elatochori Ski Center has 6 slopes, 2 lifts, a snowboarding and sled run, 2 ski schools, a shop for buying or renting equipment, and a chalet. If you're in Peloponnese and love the legends of old, this iconic destination can be your only choice!
So, while you might not have thought of skiing in Greece before, there actually is a surprising number of excellent resorts, beautiful destinations, and iconic locations to explore if you're looking for a winter destination with a difference.