Summer holidays in Cyprus are a popular tourist destination for tours and independent travel. But the island can also provide services in winter – skiing, sledding, snowboarding. To choose, you need to study the ski resorts of Cyprus, their location, services.
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About Cyprus in winter
The ski season is not very long, from December to April. Snow cover is not always available, you need to know in advance about its presence. Temperatures in the Troodos mountains could drop to -5° C at night and about +4° C during the day. Snow depth reaches 2 meters on the lower slopes, rising to 2.5 meters at the highest peak of the mountain ranges, Mount Olympus.
The current situation can be monitored using webcams. But the snow on the slopes melts faster on the south side. Therefore, the lack of cover at these locations does not mean that the slopes are unsuitable for skiing. It is necessary to analyze the situation on other slopes.
There are two popular ski resorts in Cyprus. The top for skiing is just below the highest point of the Troodos at an altitude of 1900 meters. Leisure and independent travel spots just below Mount Olympus in Sun Valley, where there is a ski rental shop, you can buy a pass for the whole day or for a certain number of slopes.
Ski holidays in Cyprus are inexpensive. The island is one of the cheapest places for skiers in Europe – 20-25 Euros per day are spent on equipment and ski rental.
Ski slopes in Cyprus
The Cypriot Ski Club at Mount Olympus is the center of all ski activity around Troodos with four main slopes. They differ depending on the skiing possibilities. Everyone has their own lift which should shorten the waiting time. The tracks are designed for skiers and snowboarders with different skiing skills – from amateurs to professionals.
Downhill trails:
- Aphrodite (Sun Valley I) for beginners 150 meters long.
- Hera (North face II) is the second slope for beginners and is 350 meters long.
- Hermes (Sun Valley II) also has a length of 150 for intermediate skiers.
- Zeus (North face l) starts very close to the top of the mountain at 1915 meters and is 500 meters long for advanced skiers.
Before descending, you need to check the equipment – skis, poles, equipment. Beginners use the services of an instructor.
Ski resorts
Before planning an independent trip, you need to choose a resort. They differ in routes, maintenance and difficulty of slopes. For trips, you can choose buses or rent a car. Take warm clothes with you, a spare set. In the ski resorts of Cyprus there are dry cleaners, medical care. Need to take a first aid kit
Troodos Square is the nearest Ski Club resort with two well equipped slopes. There are tourist shops nearby. Platres is the largest recreation center located on the southern slopes, 8 km from the ski club. If there is no snow, you can see beautiful waterfalls, plan a bike ride.
Pedoulas is 17 km from the Marathas Valley Ski Club and is surrounded by beautiful nature trails through the surrounding pine forests and cherry trees. There are few historical monuments in the area, thanks to the local Byzantine and folklore museums and the Chapel of the Archangel Michael.
Kakopetria is a little further, 20 km from Troodos Square. Compared to previous resorts, the most beautiful. Surrounded by dense forest and overlooking the Troodos, the village is built along the banks of two rivers that join at their center to form the Klarios River.
Skiing or beach vacation
If you need more time to relax, or if you want a little culture, Cyprus is perfect. Few resorts offer the opportunity to ski in the morning and sunbathe by the pool or on the beach in the afternoon.
Apart from the many beaches along the stunning coastline of Cyprus and the average winter temperature of 21 degrees at sea level, two of the cultural centers of Cyprus are close to the ski resorts of Cyprus.
Lemesos, known to many as Limassol, is the center of business in Cyprus and is an hour’s drive from the ski resorts. The characteristic city is located around the legendary castle and the old town, which exudes charm.
Cypriot capital Nocosia , Greek. – Lefkosia, also located near Mount Olympus. The city’s ancient wall is home to an excellent national museum that brings together the islands’ best archaeological finds, as well as sumptuous traditional restaurants and a fascinating collection of churches and mosques.