Skiing Near Athens
When people think of Greece they imagine beautiful islands with small white houses and a blue sea and sky as a background. Nearly most of the country is covered with mountain – in fact, Greece is the most mountainous country in Europe – and most of the mountain resorts have a respectable altitude ranging from 1400 to over 2400 m. The snow season sets in from December and continues up the March.
Imagine that you can combine a Greek Island cruise or meals of grilled octopus and fried calamari in seaside beach taverns, with a weekend of skiing, snow-boarding and even throw in a visit to the Acropolis, the famous nightlife of Athens or a journey to the most famous oracle of ancient Greece in Delphi. XtremeGreece presents below the two most popular ski centers in Greece.
Mount Parnassos (2,459 m)
Mountain Parnassos is Greece's most popular ski center since it is only about two hours from Athens and very close to Delphi one of the most popular ancient archaeological sites where visitors go year round. The mountain itself has two peaks, Kellaria which is 2,210 m, and Fterolaka at 2,100 m. There are 16 modern lifts to 19 ski runs, 7 ski routes, 10 trails and three mini beginner runs, total length 36 km. There are two cafe-chalets and a restaurant in the center, ski and snowboard schools, special stores for ski and snowboard equipment rental and a playground for children. Parnassos Ski Center operates from December until the beginning of April, and is considered the best organized ski center in Greece. It is located about 25 km from Arachova where many of the hotels and restaurants are.
Mount Helmos (2,355 m)
The next closest ski resort to Athens is on 2,355 m Mount Helmos at the Kalavrita Ski Center in the Peloponnese, about two and a half hours drive from the city. Kalavrita is the second largest ski resort in Greece where there are 8 lifts to 10 ski runs, 3 beginner runs and a snow park for snowboarding, total length 25 km. There is a chalet, a snack bar, ski and snowboard schools and special stores for ski and snowboard equipment rental and a snow fun park for children. Kalavrita Ski Center operates from December until the beginning of April. Kalavrita, where most people stay, is a beautiful town and is famous for the small train that climbs the mountain from the seaside town of Diakofto through the Vouraikós Gorge to the railway station in Kalavrita
