Winter awakens in Greece’s mountains as ski season opens

You mightiness not instantly think of Greece arsenic a winter sports destination, yet each year the country’s mountains softly present some of southeastern Europe’s astir accessible and rewarding skiing. From melodramatic alpine landscapes to family-friendly slopes within casual scope of large cities, Greece’s σκι centers connection a distinctive winter acquisition – and the 2025-2026 play is present officially underway.

The Hellenic Public Properties Company (ETAD), a subsidiary of the Hellenic Corporation of Assets and Participations, has announced the opening of the Parnassos and Voras-Kaimaktsalan σκι resorts, marking the start of different play focused connected upland sports and the large outdoors.

Voras-Kaimaktsalan Ski Resort successful bluish Greece became the archetypal σκι halfway successful the state to unfastened this season, welcoming skiers connected Sunday, December 21. Known for its precocious altitude – among the highest successful Greece – and its melodramatic mounting adjacent the borderline with North Macedonia, Kaimaktsalan offers reliable snow conditions, sweeping views and a much rugged, alpine feel. The wider country is besides fashionable for winter hiking and for its adjacent blistery springs, making it an appealing destination adjacent for non-skiers.

Within casual scope of Athens, Mt. Parnassos is the biggest and astir fashionable σκι edifice successful Greece, with facilities astatine Kelaria and Fterolakka, and a stone’s propulsion from Arachova. [Shutterstock]

Parnassos Ski Resort – the largest and astir fashionable σκι destination successful Greece – followed connected December 23. Spread crossed the slopes of Mount Parnassos and within casual driving region of Athens, the edifice has agelong been a favourite for day-trippers, families, and experienced skiers. Its extended web of runs caters to each levels, while its modern assistance system, lively atmosphere, and proximity to the fashionable Alpine town of Arachova marque it a cornerstone of Greece’s winter tourism scene.

Following extended mentation works, technical inspections and infrastructure upgrades, some σκι resorts are present afloat operational under ETAD’s management. As successful erstwhile seasons, regular operations will beryllium adjusted according to weather conditions, with information remaining the superior information successful the moving of lifts and slopes.

Visitors this winter tin besides expect improved facilities crossed some resorts, including enhanced accessibility for radical with disabilities and the installation of electrical vehicle charging stations, supporting a much inclusive and sustainable upland tourism experience.

Daily updates connected operating schedules, unfastened lifts and available services are provided via the authoritative websites and κοινωνικά media channels of each σκι resort.

“The teams of the Parnassos and Voras-Kaimaktsalan σκι resorts, together with ETAD, welcome visitors to a winter play of precocious expectations and unique experiences astatine two of Greece’s astir fashionable upland destinations,” ETAD said.

While Parnassos and Kaimaktsalan are among Greece’s astir salient σκι destinations, they signifier portion of a wider web of σκι and snowboarding centers stretching crossed the state – from Central Greece and Epirus to Macedonia and the Peloponnese – galore of which harvester skiing with traditional upland cuisine, scenic villages, and year-round outdoor activities.

This nonfiction archetypal appeared successful Greece Is (www.greece-is.com), a Kathimerini publishing initiative.