Mount Hermon ski resort
Encyclopedia
The Mount Hermon ski resort is situated on the south-eastern slopes of Mount Hermon
, a few kilometers off the Israeli-Syrian ceasefire line, in the Israeli-occupied
portion of the Golan Heights. The site is surrounded by the Hermon nature reserve
. While the nature reserve is open year-round, the ski resort is open only at the peak of winter (usually January-March), when enough snow is accumulated on its ground.
, and during this period the resort has expanded considerably. The resort includes a wide range of ski trails for novice, intermediate, and expert levels. It also offers additional winter family activities such as sledding and Nordic skiing
. The resort is unusual in not having been built by a town, and there is still no town at the resort, so those who operate the Hermon Ski area live in the nearby Israeli settlement
and Moshav
of Neve Ativ
and the town of Majdal Shams
. The ski resort has a ski school
, ski patrol
, and several restaurants located at either the bottom or peak of the area. The base of the resort is at 1640 meters, and it peaks at 2073 meters. The resort has 7 red pistes, 3 blue pistes, 2 black pistes and one green piste. The resort also has several facilities for summer visitors. As the highest point in Israeli controlled areas overlooking Syria
and Lebanon
it is also in a very strategically important position for the IDF
. In peak season more than 12000 people can be on the mountain each day. The resort also recently added a Snowpark.
The resort provides an important source of income to residents of both Neve Ativ and Majdal Shams.
. The next considerable expansion came in 1981 when the region fell under Golan Heights law, which allowed for easier expansion.
Mount Hermon
Mount Hermon is a mountain cluster in the Anti-Lebanon mountain range. Its summit straddles the border between Syria and Lebanon and, at 2,814 m above sea level, is the highest point in Syria. On the top there is “Hermon Hotel”, in the buffer zone between Syria and Israeli-occupied...
, a few kilometers off the Israeli-Syrian ceasefire line, in the Israeli-occupied
Israeli-occupied territories
The Israeli-occupied territories are the territories which have been designated as occupied territory by the United Nations and other international organizations, governments and others to refer to the territory seized by Israel during the Six-Day War of 1967 from Egypt, Jordan, and Syria...
portion of the Golan Heights. The site is surrounded by the Hermon nature reserve
Hermon nature reserve
Hermon nature reserve is a nature reserve located in the north of the Golan Heights, which was declared a nature reserve on December 6, 1974. The reserve includes an area in southern Mount Hermon which is located in the Israeli occupied portion of the Golan Heights. The reserve excludes the Mount...
. While the nature reserve is open year-round, the ski resort is open only at the peak of winter (usually January-March), when enough snow is accumulated on its ground.
Overview
Since 1981, the Golan Heights have been governed under Golan Heights LawGolan Heights Law
The Golan Heights Law is the Israeli law which applies Israel's government and laws to the Golan Heights. It was ratified by the Knesset on December 14, 1981. The law was condemned internationally and determined null and void by United Nations Security Council Resolution 497.The law was passed...
, and during this period the resort has expanded considerably. The resort includes a wide range of ski trails for novice, intermediate, and expert levels. It also offers additional winter family activities such as sledding and Nordic skiing
Nordic skiing
Nordic skiing is a winter sport that encompasses all types of skiing where the heel of the boot cannot be fixed to the ski, as opposed to Alpine skiing....
. The resort is unusual in not having been built by a town, and there is still no town at the resort, so those who operate the Hermon Ski area live in the nearby Israeli settlement
Israeli settlement
An Israeli settlement is a Jewish civilian community built on land that was captured by Israel from Jordan, Egypt, and Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and is considered occupied territory by the international community. Such settlements currently exist in the West Bank...
and Moshav
Moshav
Moshav is a type of Israeli town or settlement, in particular a type of cooperative agricultural community of individual farms pioneered by the Labour Zionists during the second aliyah...
of Neve Ativ
Neve Ativ
Neve Ativ , is a small Alpine-styled Israeli settlement in the Golan Heights, founded in 1972, and located on the slopes of Mount Hermon, west of Majdal Shams. The international community considers Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights illegal under international law, but the Israeli...
and the town of Majdal Shams
Majdal Shams
Majdal Shams is a Druze village in the northern part of the Golan Heights, in the southern foothills of Mt. Hermon. Since the June 1967 Six-Day War, the village has been controlled by Israel, first under martial law, but since 1981 under Israeli civil law, and incorporated into the Israeli...
. The ski resort has a ski school
Ski school
A ski school is an establishment that trains skiers. The modern version of the ski school was invented by the Austrian ski pioneer Hannes Schneider in the early 1920s when he formalized instruction methods and established these methods as teaching principles for all ski instructors at his school.In...
, ski patrol
Ski patrol
A Ski Patrol is an organization that provides Emergency Medical and rescue services to skiers and participants of other snow sports, either at a ski area or in a back country setting. Patrollers are trained in Basic or Advanced Life Support to stabilize and transport patients to definitive care,...
, and several restaurants located at either the bottom or peak of the area. The base of the resort is at 1640 meters, and it peaks at 2073 meters. The resort has 7 red pistes, 3 blue pistes, 2 black pistes and one green piste. The resort also has several facilities for summer visitors. As the highest point in Israeli controlled areas overlooking Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
and Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
it is also in a very strategically important position for the IDF
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
. In peak season more than 12000 people can be on the mountain each day. The resort also recently added a Snowpark.
The resort provides an important source of income to residents of both Neve Ativ and Majdal Shams.
History
The first lift was installed in 1971, largely with assistance from the Jewish Agency for IsraelJewish Agency for Israel
The Jewish Agency for Israel , also known as the Sochnut or JAFI, served as the organization in charge of immigration and absorption of Jews from the Diaspora into the state of Israel.-History:...
. The next considerable expansion came in 1981 when the region fell under Golan Heights law, which allowed for easier expansion.
Specifics
- Top peak: 2073 metres (6,801.2 ft)
- Number of pistePisteA piste is a marked ski run or path down a mountain for snow skiing, snowboarding, or other mountain sports. The term is European, from the French for trail or track, synonymous with trail, slope, or groomed run in North America....
s: 14 - Length of pistes: 45km
- Number of lifts: 5