Here's What Israel's Only Ski Resort Looks Like

When we think of Israel, we picture sunny beaches, palm trees and deserts, so the fact it has a ski resort may come as a surprise. Located on Mount Hermon in the far north of the country, bordering Syria, this is probably the most unique and precariously positioned ski resort in the world.

Open for up to 50 days of skiing and snowboarding a year, the Mount Hermon Ski Resort offers picturesque views over the Golan Heights, Syria, Lebanon, the Galilee and the Hula Valley.

Around 300,000 people (predominantly Israelis) take advantage of the snow-covered slopes and spectacular views every winter, usually between January and March. Just three and a half hours by car from the beaches of Tel Aviv, the resort makes for an easy weekend away and reflects the incredible diversity of Israel’s landscape.

Visitors are a microcosm of Israeli society: Mount Hermon is enjoyed by Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, and many of its staff are from Israel’s Druze community, an enigmatic Arab minority with Shi’ite Islamic roots who are loyal to the Jewish State.

The resort offers 14 ski runs, with slopes ranging from green to black, in addition to five chairlifts. Equipment and lessons are also available for hire. For those looking to stay for the weekend in a bed and breakfast (known as zimmers in Israel), there are plenty of charming options nearby that are listed on the ski resort’s website.

When the snow melts, an array of fun alternatives are available, with the resort remaining open all year round. Indeed, during summer, spring and autumn, activities include off-road karting, mountain biking and kayaking. Another super fun activity is riding on their alpine mountain coaster, which is akin to bobsled on a track.

The resort also offers free tours during the summer, in which you’ll be taken along stunning nature trails and see spectacular views of the Hermon.

However, this is not your ordinary ski resort. The Golan Heights region that it sits in was captured by Israel during the Six Day War of 1967 and has remained in its control ever since. Development in the Mount Hermon area, which was initiated by the Jewish Agency, the Moshav movement and Moshav Neve Ativ, began in 1971 with the construction of the first cable car site.

Today, the mountain serves as an important strategic area with valuable vantage points and physical buffers from hostile neighbours.

Indeed, Syria’s capital, Damascus, is just 40 kilometres (25 miles) away and is visible when the skies are clear. Officially, the two countries are at war with each other and the mountain is constantly patrolled by the Israel Defence Forces Alpine unit, who agilely ski around equipped with rifles around their neck.

Large signs warning of landmines discourage adventurous skiers and snowboarders from going off-piste and serve as a reminder that this area was once a war site. Vast Israeli military bases are identifiable in the distance by their antennas. Clearly, this is not Val-d’Isère.

However, this should not take away from this ski resort’s charm; it offers everything you need for a weekend of fun in the snow. Its breathtaking views, charming zimmers and sprawling slopes – combined with the novelty of skiing in Israel – makes Mount Hermon a must-visit attraction during winter in Israel.

For information about snow conditions, prices and opening times, head over to Mount Hermon Ski Resort’s website.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.