Mzaar Kfardebian (Arabic: مزار كفردبيان — formerly Faraya Mzaar[1]) is a ski area in Lebanon and the largest ski resort in the Middle East. It is located one hour away from Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. It is also referred to as Ouyoune el Simane.[2]
In 1960, Sami Geammal, Emile Riachi and a group of pioneers installed the first ski lift imported from Switzerland, on the "refuge" hill and built the first four chalets in the region. One year later, they bought 160,000 square metres (40 acres) of property from Prosper Gay-Para in order to expand the resort area.[3][4]
In 1963, the Faraya Mzaar - Tourism and Winter Sports Company was launched. The company acquired the concession to build and operate ski lifts on lands belonging to the Kesrouan district municipalities. In 1965, the Mzaar Hotel opened its doors, and the company installed the first chairlift on the Jabal Dib Hills. The junction between "Refuge" and "Jabal Dib" was achieved in 1968 through the installation of the resort's third lift which was named "Jonction".
In the 1980s, during the civil war, the Mzaar Company was taken over by the Saudi Group al Mabani. In 1993, after the Lebanese civil war ended, the new group started the expansion of the resort. In 2012, the resort's number of lifts reached 20 with around 80 kilometres (50 mi) of slopes.
"Mzaar" is the Arabic word for shrine or sanctuary. The highest peak in Ouyoune el Simane was called "Jabal el Mzaar" (mountain of the shrine) after a small Roman temple built on its top. It is believed that the Romans were using fire as signals to communicate between the coastal area and Baalbeck, or Heliopolis, through Faqra and the Mzaar peak. The temple was totally destroyed during the civil war (1975-1990) and its stones were stolen.
The official name of the area is Ouyoune el Simane, which means "Spring of the Common Quail", and it is administratively under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Kfardebian, which is also the case for the Faqra ski resort.
Ski season usually stretches from early December to early April.[5] Today, the ski resort is constituted of 42 hills that extend on 80 kilometres (50 mi).
Skiing ranges between heights of 1,850 metres (6,070 ft) at Mzaar-Kfardebian, to 2,465 metres (8,087 ft) on the peak above Mzaar.
The peaks of the Mzaar-Kfardebian mountain range vary between heights of 1,913 and 2,465 metres (6,276 and 8,087 ft). The highest peak is Mzaar, followed by Wardeh and Jabal Dib (mountain of the wolf) Peak. Three other peaks are well suited for beginners, and even more are adapted to skier of intermediate level. In addition, there are a number of cross-country trails.[6] Usually, opening hours during the week is from 8am to 3:30pm but it extends until 4pm during the weekend.[5] A variety of other activities and excursions are also available.[7]
Along with traditional alpine skiing, people can practice ski-doo, night skiing, snow boarding. Entertainment such as ski shows and fashion shows are organized to promote the resort.[8]
On the way to the ruins of Qalaat Faqra, one can see a natural water-crafted bridge called "Jisr al-Hajar" or the "Stone Bridge" with an arch measuring 38 metres (125 ft). [9]
Mzaar-Kfardebian is home to different Lebanese ski clubs.[citation needed]
