North West Frontier (Travel Consultants) Ltd set up 'Ski and See Lebanon' in February 1998, to draw skiers attention to something unique. Lebanon is an experience that is completely different from European ski resorts or American 'ski stations'. Lebanon makes your holiday different, exciting, and an adventure that stands out from the amorphous memories of previous skiing vacations.

Having assisted people with their travel to Lebanon for the last seven years, we have this year set up a consultancy service for skiers searching pastures new and prepared to travel to Argentina for it! We have combined our expertise with that of Sur La Piste (children's ski clothing) joining forces to provide keen skiers almost year round snow, excellent ski touring opportunities, and unforgettable sights and experiences. The emphasis is like Lebanon, on combining the skiing with the country's culture and making the most of the total winter sports experience, including glacier walking, husky dog sledding and guacho style horse back riding . The new venture is called 'Niche Encounters' and operates in a similar way to 'Ski and See Lebanon'. The website www.skiargentina.co.uk now offers you a ski season from July until mid October!

Why Holiday in Lebanon?

The political situation of course will not have escaped your notice. Lebanon might therefore be considered an unusual place to encourage tourism. In fact the skiing in Lebanon is one of its best kept secrets and well away from the uncertainties of its southern border. The joy of skiing in Lebanon is that there can be nowhere else in the world where you can combine your sport with hiking, visiting crusader castles, ancient Phoenician and Roman ruins, souks, vineyards and sample the Lebanese cuisine of the Middle East.

The exotic location and fact that airfares are more expensive than flights to France, Spain, Italy or Switzerland, means that we encourage group bookings. Travel in small groups brings the overall cost down.

There are two main resorts to ski. The best is Kfardebian Resort - previously known as 'Faraya Mzaar' which is the most extensive and modern ski resort in Lebanon. It has wonderful views, looking East over to the Bekaa Valley to the snow capped ranges of the Anti Lebanon range, or West down to the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

The second resort 'The Cedars'is more renown due to it being older. This is not so easy to access due to the road sometimes being blocked in winter - being the older resort its facilities are more basic. If planning to ski this resort, to be sure of not having your itinerary delayed you should ski here, March and the first week of April. Opened by the French army in 1935, this resorts lifts are within a natural amphitheatre overlooking Lebanon's famous Cedar grove, 'Arz el Rab' (Cedars of the Lord). What it lacks in skiing facilities is made up for by the beauty of its surroundings.

Some of the remarks from previous clients give an idea of why Lebanon, its sking and sightseeing are so special:

'The two afternoons I spent skiing in Kfardebian were probably the two most enjoyable afternoons on skis that I have spent anywhere in the world. The complete solitude made it very special - like skiing on private pistes.'

Sightseeing trips are further augmented by proficient English speaking Lebanese guides.

'Our guide Andrew was marvelous! Seriously he was brilliant and Haythum was an extremely good and well informed guide'.

'Full marks to the guides. Haythum knew his stuff and told us all there was to know about the Lebanon. One would require Einstein learning's to absorb all he said though!'

'Baalbeck is a must. To my mind it was by far the highlight of the trip and all the better doing it at the end when one has seen other sites, ie leaving the best until last. The Palmyra (at Baalbeck) was a gem of a hotel.'

In Lebanon today there really is an upbeat feeling reminiscent of its pre war days when it was renowned as the play ground of the Middle East. Substantial investment means the rebuilding work in Beirut has steamed ahead, and the property there is amongst some of the most expensive real estate in the Middle East! Despite setbacks the peace process continues to move forward and Lebanon will likely become a very popular tourist destination once more. At the moment it is a pioneering destination, so

So which Lebanese ski resorts are we going to?