Those who haven’t visited the island country of Cyprus are often unaware that it snows there in winter! Besides its beaches with clear waters and ancient landmarks, this unique place surprises with its forests, mountains, and ski slopes.
Cyprus is located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and is organized into six administrative districts. While internationally recognized, it only controls two-thirds of the island. The remaining third is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognized by Turkey. Its capital and largest city is Nicosia.
Geographically, Cyprus belongs to Southwest Asia, specifically the Near East, yet politically and culturally it’s considered part of Europe. Historically, it has served as a crucial bridge between Africa, Asia, and Europe. It’s the third-largest island in the Mediterranean.
The country is mostly mountainous, featuring two ranges: Pentadactylos in the north and Troodos in the southwest, culminating in Mount Olympus (1952 m). The largest plain, Mesaoria, lies between these ranges.
Cyprus welcomes over a million visitors annually, establishing itself as a prime Mediterranean tourist destination. From its pristine beaches and millennia-old historical sites to its forests and mountains, the allure to visit this country at least once in a lifetime is undeniable.
Access to Cyprus is primarily by sea or air. The primary airport is Larnaka International Airport, serving flights from major European cities, the Middle East, and North Africa. The euro is the main currency, while the turkish lira is used in North Cyprus.
Despite being visited by many tourists, the fact that this island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea receives snowfall and experiences cold weather remains relatively unknown.
Skiing first appeared in Cyprus around 1934 when a group formed the island’s inaugural “Mountaineering Club.” However, World War II delayed the development of skiing for several years.
The Cyprus Ski Club was established on March 2, 1947, by a group of Ski Enthusiasts comprising Cypriot and British Nationals, as Cyprus was then part of the British Empire. Since then, it has played a leading role in the island’s skiing development. The initial lift was constructed and operated on the eastern face of Mt Olympus using primitive equipment. A second lift was built in 1951. The remnants of this lift, powered by a Ford truck engine, can still be seen today.
In the late 1950s, the British Military in Cyprus purchased two small portable lifts, installed during winters. Some years after, following Cyprus’ independence from British rule in 1960, the Cyprus Ski Club welcomed Cypriot and other Nationality members, while the British Military and their dependents formed the Near East Forces Ski Club (NEFSKI). These two clubs continue to cooperate today.
In 1968, the Cyprus Ski Club established its first lift, and by 1986, three more lifts were installed, totaling four ski lifts at the resort, along with nine slopes by that time.
Simultaneously with the area’s development, the Cyprus Ski Club introduced the tradition of skiing lessons for school children from the 1959 season onward. In 1960, the Federation introduced the annual Pan Cyprian ski competitions. Cypriot skiers began participating in international competitions from 1963, with their first entry in the World Championships in 1978 at Garmisch, Germany. Cyprus made its inaugural Olympic appearance in the 1980 Olympics at Lake Placid. Since then, Cyprus has actively participated in various regional competitions, World Championships, and the Olympics.
In 1992, the Cyprus Ski Federation was established, and the Competitive and International Powers of the Cyprus Ski Club were transferred to this new body. However, the Cyprus Ski Club remains the owner and operator of the Troodos Ski Resort, offering its services to the Cyprus Ski Federation and its clubs for training and competitions.
In 2008, a 380m three-person chairlift replaced the old T-Bar ski lift (Zeus lift) on the homologated slope (by the FIS – International Skiing Federation) on the north face of Mount Olympus, the highest point of the Troodos Ski Resort and the country. The resort also features a baby lift, making a total of five ski lifts.
The resort is approximately 112km by road from Larnaca International Airport, 82km from the country’s capital, Nicosia, and about 49km from the coastal city of Limassol. The nearest accommodations are in the villages of Troodos (3.3km) and Prodromos (5.3km). At the ski resort, there are gastronomic options, ski rentals, and ski schools for learning at all levels.
What’s wonderful about most ski resorts located in countries bordering the Mediterranean is the opportunity they provide to ski and visit the beach on the same day due to their proximity to the sea.
Cyprus, a country steeped in history, with beautiful beaches, a vibrant Mediterranean and multicultural culture, a variety of climates, and landscapes, surprises us every day and invites us to visit whenever possible.
Useful links and sources:
https://www.visitcyprus.com/
https://www.skicyprus.com/
Troodos ski resort: https://www.cyprusski.com/
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