Mount Parnassos, Greece

John from GREECE writes:

Parnassos Ski Resort though only a 2 hour drive from Athens is supposed to be the "biggest" and "best-organised" resort in Greece...but forget that...the place is helishly expensive and snobbish. The small picturesque village of Arachova (20 minutes from the pistes) is the only resort nearby where you can eat drink and sleep in quite reasonable prices in comparison to the alpine standards.

The resort is very expensive (by Greek standards) for the facilities, snow, extent, etc. that it offers (day ticket 27 Euros). It is not strange to find big queues especially at peak times and during Greek holiday periods. However, the place is the only resort in Greece that offers 25km of ski pistes with about 14 ski lifts, some new ones, a cable car, a very nice challet in the pistes, tree runs (only in Fterolaka) and sometimes a snowboard fun park. The park is excellent by Greek standards and has rails, kickers, boxes which you won't find all together in any other resort in Greece. Moreover, it has another advantage... imagine snowboarding while gazing the wonderful Greek sea (ONLY a 40 minute drive from the resort). Enjoy snowboarding under the unique Greek sun, something which is difficult to find elsewhere, then drive down to the archeological site of Delphoi (30 minutes), and after that head down to the sea and enjoy your fish meal in a traditional Greek tavern by the seaside...

Forget about alpine standards, there is no comparison...BUT if you come to Greece from the period between Christmas and the end of March it would be worthwhile to pay a visit. I am not sure if you'll enjoy the snowboarding, but for sure you'll have a great time.

2006-12-03