philip nielsen from GREECE writes:
Ok boys & girls here is the real truth:
I have been skiing for more than 30 years (in Greece and Europe). If you compare this to the main European skiing resorts you will be extremely disappointed,
Paranassos ski resort has 3 skiing areas:
a. Kelaria (the most popular, 'trendy' but fully packed), Make sure that you arrive very early in the morning to park near the bottom lift or else you will not avoid a lot of walking to the lifts from and to the parking lot. In this place you will find everything crammed together: boys looking for girls, girls looking for boys, boys looking for boys, kids, ski experts with all the latest fashion, athletes, grandmothers that come to “see” the snow – you name it, you can even make some public relations with 'trendy people' that smoke 25 cm Cohiba cigars on the chairlifts !!!
b. Fterolaka (that is mainly only open in weekends a quieter place, favorite to the 'real' ski lovers and not to ski fashion victims).
b. Gerondovrachos (nice place, private place, but no real infrastructure, last years they have a lack of snow)
The bad stuff:
1. The place is over crowded (NEVER - EVER EVEN think on going on weekends, at least not before the 15 of March),
2. It is tremendously expensive for what it offers, price for the 2006-2007 season is said to be 27 euros, absoloutly no value for money (weekdays = half price)
3. The management (at least for the past 10 years) of the center is totally inadequate and unprofessional, this is a Government Co and as Greek public servants (they can't be fired) they are extremely unprofessional
4. Most of the staff (despite some great exceptions) are totally unfriendly, completely disorganized and have no whatsoever service orientation, pure amateurs !!! (Nothing like the successful 2004 Athens Olympics)
5. Oh and the (nearly) closest major village for logging is traffic jammed Arachova which is outrageously expensive and snobbish. However, for those that love bars and clubs a wild nightlife does exist.
6. People are throwing garbage all over the place despite the most wonderful nature
Ok but now the good stuff:
For me being half Greek half Danish it's amazing, Denmark a real cold country in winter with more than 600.000 active skiers has not one skiing center. Greece on the other hand the world known sun and sea summer resort has more than 25 skiing centers...
1. The Parnassus Ski Resort is only a little 2 hour drive from Athens, this means that if you work all night in your office you can leave at 06:00 hrs and actually be on your skies at 08:15 and be back at the office at 19:30 hrs. Great ... I will be doing this at least once a week this year…
2. It is one of the biggest resorts in Greece approx 25km of ski pistes with about 14 ski lifts
3. There is nearly always snow, from December to April; the best month is sunny March.
4. The nearby sea gives nice views and is a close drive (only 45 minutes to the sea) but does influences the snow quality. However, with a fresh fall of snow, the powder is enjoyable.
5. Although it’s a must to visit on a week day the really better places in Greece are up North (Falakro!!!!, Vasilitsa,!!!! Seli, Voras), at least people there are friendly and less snobbish. It is cheaper and less crowded!!!!
6. Fterolaka has the best run its called No 6
7. Many good Tavernas exist in the Oropedio Valley
8. Most of the days you get great sunshine, but always be aware of using sun goggles and the stones in spring
9. After the 20th of March there is usually enough good snow for another one month, as it gets very cold in the night the snow quality remains good until approx 14:00 thus you can get some good skiing even on weekends as the snobbish Athenians have headed for their yachts and beaches
10. A last comment if you want a really good skiing instructor make sure you get a qualified one. The one with the best patience and correct technique is a guy called Vasilis Baldumis (in a world of amateurs this guy really knows his stuff).
Have Fun Philip Nielsen
2006-12-22 |
