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Visitor reviews for Mt Olympus Ski Resort

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• January 25, 2012
  Adrian from Cyprus
  

  I haven't had the time just yet to read through all the comments, but I agree with a lot of what I did see.

  A few additional features would be nice, but as you can imagine, updating the ski area is a fairly low priority with such a small ski season and presumably small budget - not to mention the old school closed mindedness previously mentioned.

  A few medium to big tabletops and a few boxes and rails would be nice, but I can't see them being built just yet (except the ones currently under snow at Sun Valley 2). More involvement with management and petitions might improve our chances of getting things done..

  Until then, we should quit our whining since it falls on deaf ears anyway and take matters into our own hands. I'm a big fan of the DIY attitude, and when I go up there I have a pretty good time and don't get bored after 15 minutes. Perhaps I have a low boredom threshold. Nothing is stopping you build a kicker! I'm taking an axe up there to attempt to deal with a fallen tree and turn it into a tree-jib rail thingy... you can thank me later!

  As for the hill being featureless, that's not strictly true. There are some great tree runs off to the sides of the pistes, and other off-piste areas which have interesting natural features to play with. The area to the skiers left of North-Face 1 is a gold mine in that regard. There are some perfect places to build kickers with nice sloped landing spots (by the way, who is is that keeps building jumps to flat landings on Hera?)

  To finish up this rant. Yes, the ski hill is managed a little sloppy, 23 euros is a little steep and yes, it lacks a terrain park and more runs. But lets be thankful we have a ski area to begin with. We need to get creative, and collaborate. This is not a place where things are handed to us on a plate. If anyone wants to get involved and build something, and see how long it lasts up there, hit me up at adrian-stafford@hotmail.com

• Mt Olympus Ratings

  Based on 15 votes. Vote

  Access: 4.3 (1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Mt Olympus.	Public Transport: 1.8 (1) There are no buses or taxis to Mt Olympus, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.
  Scenery: 3.0 (1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.	Accommodation: 2.7 (1) No places to stay in/near Mt Olympus, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.
  Cheap Rooms: 2.3 (1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.	Luxury Hotels: 2.2 (1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Mt Olympus.
  Ski in/Ski out: 2.4 (1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.	Childcare: 1.6 (1) There are no child care facilities at Mt Olympus, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.
  Snowsure: 1.9 (1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Mt Olympus is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.	Snowmaking: 1.3 (1) Mt Olympus relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.
  Snow Grooming: 2.5 (1) There are no snow groomers at Mt Olympus, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Mt Olympus are groomed daily.	Shelter: 2.7 (1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Mt Olympus is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.
  Nearby options: 1.5 (1) If snow conditions are poor at Mt Olympus, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.	Regional rating: 2.9 (1) Mt Olympus usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.
  Lift Staff: 2.8 (1) The staff at Mt Olympus are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Mt Olympus are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.	Crowds/Queues: 2.7 (1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.
  Ski Schools: 2.8 (1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.	Hire and Repairs: 2.3 (1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.
  Variety of pistes: 2.0 (1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Mt Olympus has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.	Beginners: 3.0 (1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.
  Intermediates: 2.6 (1) No intermediate terrain at Mt Olympus, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.	Advanced: 2.2 (1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.
  Snow Park: 1.5 (1) Not even a kicker at Mt Olympus, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.	Off-piste: 2.1 (1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.
  Cross-country: 1.9 (1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Mt Olympus, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.	Luge/Toboggan: 1.4 (1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Mt Olympus has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.
  Mountain Dining: 2.6 (1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.	Eating: 2.6 (1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.
  Apres-Ski: 2.2 (1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.	Other Sports: 1.7 (1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.
  Entertainment: 2.3 (1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.	Winter Walks: 2.6 (1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.
  Ski Pass Value: 1.8 (1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.	Value (National): 2.8 (1) Overall, Mt Olympus is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.
  Value (Global): 2.0 (1) Overall, Mt Olympus is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

  Based on 15 votes. Vote

• January 18, 2012
  Petros H. from Cyprus
  

  I also want to agree with a recent post below that emphasizes the importance of having features in a resort, and thus making it interesting, for more than 15 minutes.

  Troodos has NO features. Troodos is the most featureless resort on the face of the planet. Troodos is the least interesting resort in the history of ski resorts.

  Now, if you listen to the ski association people, the government people or the people who work at the resort they will tell you that a) there is not enough money, b) the forest department does not let them cut down trees c) there is not enough people and d) there is not enough snow.

  Excuses, excuses, excuses.

  How much money does it take to shape the slopes in the summer, open new paths on the side of existing slopes or between the trees, smooth out the areas between the trees, remove some rocks, make some kickers? place a wooden structure, a tree log, in the summer so that when it snows, the snow naturally creates a natural kicker? or some table rails (and not iron rails)? or shape the sides of Hera and Dias slopes, in some areas, to resemble a quarter pipe? shape a few paths on the side Hera where there is already enough incline, so that it naturally becomes a jump when it snows?

  Nothing. No money required. And you don't even have to cut down one tree.

  What about the area between the Hera ski lift and the Hera slope? What about the area between the Hera slope and the Dias slope? What about the area between the sun valley 1 slope and the sun valley 1 family path? These are just a few examples. There are so many things that can be done.

  What about the run between the top of Dias that goes towards the road in front of the ski rental shop, on the side of the road, then behind the mountain and ends up at the Hera ski lift? it is over a km long. Why is this not properly shaped out and groomed? Widened? the parts that are flat fixed?
  
  It just takes a bit of work in the summer. No money. No cutting trees. You need someone with a bit of common sense, who has been in resorts outside Cyprus (and I don't mean Lebanon), loves the sport and is below 40 years of age.

  And if you do this, more people will come and more money made off of them. Did you notice that despite having the best snow season in years, the traffic on the slopes is the same or less?

  But if you are an old-school skier above the age of 50, like all the people who run the show in Troodos and the ski associations, then you do not understand what features in a resort mean. They are just satisfied skiing down a slope. Hurray!

  So enough with the excuses. Enough with blaming the forest department. Enough with telling us that you managed to install a chair lift (slowest in Europe) on Dias. Enough. Enough is enough.

  Everyone associated with running the resort, are all simply, completely and utterly incompetent and indifferent. They are completely to blame for the poor state of the slopes.

  And on top of that, why would I risk my life driving to uncleaned dangerous roads to pay 23 euros for the lift, (more if you rent equipment), food and gas to go down a featureless 300 meter slope?

  No, thank you. Already did once this year and it is not happening again.

• January 09, 2012
  Nikos from Cyprus
  

  To the poster below who had a perfect day, that is because you went on a week day when everybody works. Most people don't have this luxury.

  Go the following weekend and describe us what you see. Half our lines on the lifts, crowded slopes, 1 hour stuck on the road to go there and an hour stuck on the way back. So it is not just an hour from home, but two hours at least if you consider weekend traffic...

  And you found everyone helpful because you went with an instructor. Go alone, on a weekend, after the 2 sets of barely usable skis have been rented out, and see if you get good attitude and good equipment.

• January 09, 2012
  Mark from Cyprus
  

  I want to say to the person who posted below, that I completely agree 100% with him, except for one thing.

  The unprofessional and poor attitude displayed by the staff in Troodos is not an indication of the service in Cyprus.

  You have to realize that the guys in Troodos are government employees, with NO training whatsoever in running a ski resort.

  So if you want to blame someone, blame our incompetent government.

  Another thing, there is some money to be spent for Troodos. Just no one who really cares and has the skills to plan and execute effectively. The spent money buying snow cannons that they don't use. They spent money building a water dam that they don't use. They spent money buying a new bull and are too lazy to properly groom the slopes (and lacking the skill to do so in any case).

  Now I have been to resorts in Greece that are just a bit larger than Troodos (6 lifts, 1km the longest run) and not with much better weather conditions and with less money.

  But they understand snow sports. They understand that you need features, kickers, jumps, rails, trails just off the slopes. You need variety. You need to make it interesting. And they did. Troodos slopes have to be the most featureless slopes in the world.

  How much does it cost to make a kicker? To place a piece of wood in the summer? To make a table (i.e. rail)? To make some runs through the trees?

  It costs nothing. just a few minutes of your time, good intentions, love for snow sports and a bit of common sense, things that the Troodos staff completely lack.

• January 09, 2012
  Tim Lane from Cyprus
  

  Had a great day at Mount Olympus yesterday. I am a beginner and went with a friend who is an instructor.

  I found the staff helpful and the equipment we hired was of good quality,

  The snow conditions were perfect, it snowed most of the day. And the snow on the ground was great for skiing.

  The queue for the lift was never more than five people and the lift only broke down once during the day.

  The only bad points were that the food is expensive in the cafe and that we had a lot of trouble getting to and from the resort as many people were trying to drive up in cars that were unsuitable and ended up blocking the road.

  It was great fun anyway and very cool to have a skiing resort within an hour's drive from home.

• January 08, 2012
  carson from Cyprus
  

  I understand the points about the short season in cyprus and therefore the lack of funds for improving the resort. The reason I have trouble being sympathetic with the people running the show is the terrible attitude they have towards the customer!

  Last year I arrived at the rental shack at 9:30 to find there was only one snowboard left with a base that might as well have been made of tree bark. I decided to give it a go anyway and took the stuff outside. When I put the board on I realised it was far too narrow for the boots I was given. There was no way I was going to be able to use this board with these boots. I took it back inside and asked if it could be changed - they said no, there was nothing else. I said well thanks, I'm going to have to return this because it is useless. They said ok and took the board and boots, but as I stood there waiting for a refund I realised the lady behind the till had no intention of refunding me! When I asked she said they don't do refunds. I said it's only been 5 minutes since I rented this plank of wood. She huffed and grumbled and finally got her boss who agreed, no way was I getting a refund. They had ripped me off!

  Fine, you can't afford new snowboards and skis. You can afford to wax them once in a while (another year the board i rented would only make it two thirds of the way down sun valley 1 it was so rough!) and when you fail completely to provide any sort of functioning equipment, you can definitely afford to show some common courtesy and refund the considerable sum of money you have charged!

  This is quite typical customer service in this country so I shouldn't be surprised.

• March 14, 2011
  RedDevil from Cyprus
  

  I definitely love going to Mt Troodos for snowboarding.
  The amazing ready-to-fall structure of the ski rentals place really gives the mountain a unique atmosphere (yes, if you haven't realized I'm being ironic).
  The fact that on a busy day you would be lucky to get a snowboard to rent and if you do it will be worst kind! The boards are all scratched up and probably not been waxed for years. The boots? Ha! I rented a pair yesterday and the laces were replaced by some kind of rope... disgusting! Not even to mention the hygiene part...do they even realize that kids go there too? And what's up with the drunk dude that makes the decision for you when you ask for equipment? Terrible attitude. I think calling it a 'ski resort' is a magnificent overstatement :)

• March 11, 2011
  CostisSnow from Cyprus
  

  Snow update for Troodos:

  Fresh snow. All slopes open

  PS: Just my comments on everything said in the posts below:
  1. It has been snowing since Tuesday. Today is the first day all the slopes open this week.
  2. The webcam has been broken since Tuesday. The ski federation site says it is the fault of the Cyprus Telecomunication Authority. I called Cyprus Telecomunication Authority and they say it is NOT their problem. So who is lying? Why does the webcam breaks almost every week? Why do you have just one webcam?
  3. What the reviewer below said about Troodos being a circus is true. Don't believe us. Go there this Sunday. And take your cameras. And then come here and post your comments please.
  4. Also check out the lifts and report how many T-bars are missing.
  5. Also tell us how many times the Sun Valley 1 lift will break down during just one day.

  Instead of spending millions on a new bully, snow canons and water dams that you have obviously not enough knowledge to operate, there are a million things that could have done to improve the resort and that would cost a fraction of what you spent.

  If you don't know what these are, quit and let other people with more knowledge to take over.

  As for the recommendation from the ski federation below to join, I would say don't even bother. We know very well what is going on. Are you going to go against your own political parties? Need I say more? Will you strike and close roads so that you can get things done? Or will that dissatisfy your friends in higher government places?

  Give us a break

• March 11, 2011
  PK from Cyprus
  

  I could not agree more with a recent reviewer. Excellent post describing, very unfortunately, the true and miserable situation at Troodos...

  I could further comment that the personnel handling the lifts not only are clueless of handling ski-lifts and skiers but also they do not speak a word of Greek or English!

  Also frustrating is the fact that you may call the federation and ask if the lifts operate. They assure you that they definitely operate, reconfirming the information that is available on-line claiming that the lifts operate. After securing these assurances you drive all the way up there, buy ticket and the lifts may be closed for no reason and without letting anyone know! This has happened several times and the excuse was always that there were not many people and thus we had to cut the cost down!

  They have been let to destroy every opportunity for developing a decent ski resort.

  By the way driving from any town to Troodos is about 1 hour, while flying to Lebanon and enjoying 80 km of slopes, instead of a fraction of a km, takes about 20 minutes....

  Thanks,
  PK

• March 10, 2011
  Sandra D from Switzerland
  

  I have been coming to Cyprus one or two times a year for the last decade (have family here) and me and my children love skiing (and snowboarding for the kids).

  I read in the posts below the disagreements people have on whether enough has been done in Troodos and people should enjoy it or if there is still room for improvement. So I will give you my opinion as an outsider who has been to more than a dozen countries around the world for skiing.

  It is true that there are limited resources in Cyprus and the weather is not helping either.

  However, in recent years (decades) man has dominated over nature.

  The situation in Troodos is really pitiful. No matter what the ski federations say or the resort people, even if they really did try, then it just means that they failed completely and miserably.

  Nowhere in the world exist such substandard infrastructure as in Troodos. In any other civilized country in the world, Troodos would be closed and would not get a license to operate as a ski resort. The people who run it are obviously ignorant and fully incompetent.

  The reason people don't come to Troodos is because of the undescribable situation that exists there. You really have to live it to believe it. You have to drive up there and get stuck for up to an hour in traffic in Troodos square (which has been renovated recently!!!). Then if you make it through, you will need chains, even if it snowed 2 days ago because they are not capable of properly preparing for snow and then properly clean it.

  If you do make it to the ski resorts (you and you car fine... you should thank god) then you have to go into the ski rental place and pray for god for it not to fall on your head. How is it possible that this "building" has a license to operate? How can they let people in there?

  It will take you about half an hour to get a ticket and another half hour to rent your skis. If you have many family members, it will take more time. Lift and rental will set you back about 45 Euro. It may not sound much but consider that there are just 4 slopes varying between 150 - 500 meters...

  Also note that if you go to Troodos within 2 days of snowing probably only 1 or 2 of the four slopes will be open because it takes them a really, really, really long time to groom 4 of the smallest slopes in the world.

  So after about 2 hours of delay, disappointment and frustration, you are read to ski. Or are you? You go to the lift and you get a good look at the equipment you rented and you are fearful of your life. So after waiting for about half hour at the lift, it takes you 1 minute to get to the top of the slope and 30 seconds to get back down. And then you just keep doing that. If you are luck that is... because it is very likely that the lift will break... and you have to wait another half hour for someone to come and... walk up the slope to fix it. So you wait for half hour in line, ski for 30 seconds, repeat that a few times, then about every couple of hours the lift breaks, you wait until it is fixed and then continue.

  But it does not end here. The slopes are like a circus. Not because of how awful they are groomed but because they allow anyone on the slopes. And I mean anyone. People without skis, pregnant mothers, amatuer photographers, little kids playing in the snow. It is a playground for all.

  And then you think about taking a break to eat. If you are a family of four and you just eat sandwiches and refreshments, that will set you back another 40 Euro!

  And trust me, the way back down Troodos with your car, is even worse than coming up. And where is the police in all this, nowhere.

  A reviewer in another post below, says that they have done many things and people are ignorant. Not so my friend. People say what they see. And in the last 40 years, the only visible improvement is one chair lift. Nothing else.

  If they bought snow canons but do not use them (and the don't!) then it is a waste of money and bad planning. If they built a dam to hold 300 tons of water but do not use it for snow making then, it is no improvement. It is just bad planning and bad management of money. If they bought a new bully but they are too lazy to groom four tiny slopes, then this is a bad purchase too, a waste of money and you should have kept the old one...

  The ski lift improvements they talk about, we have no idea what they are. Maybe you should have brought the inspectors during operation of the slopes, when they break down every half hour and when half of the t bars are missing and not during the summer...

  And then they tell us about a computerized system for printing tickets. Wow. Are you serious? I will not even comment on this one. Computers came out in the 60s.

  Then the tell us about what they will do. Please don'. Do it and then talk about it. Building a new restaurant has been talked for at least 10 years and nothing happens. Don't tell us what you will do. Because if we judge from what happened in the last 40 years then we are not very hopeful about the future... to say the least.

• February 22, 2011
  MichaliZ from Cyprus
  

  Conclusions resulting from ignorance can be very harmful, and it is obvious that other reviewers are not informed of the efforts been made the past 8 years by new young people who took over the Federation in order to improve it. Others can say what they wish and I don’t wish to comment or solve any sociological problems of the Cyprus society. Snow and skiing in Cyprus can only be seen through the realities and facts of Cyprus though. Anything else is utopic.
  The facts are:
  -We have, at very best, a two month ski season (8 weekends) (Mid January till Mid March). The past few seasons were in the region of one month. Last year we only had one week! Snow level usually is on the level of 50 cm and never exceeds the 1 meter. Few decades back we had 2 and 3 meters of snow! Not nowadays. We are not the Alps and our mountain is 1930 meters on an island low in the Mediterranean.
  -Running costs related to maintenance of lifts, buildings and slopes, staff salaries, and consumables (electricity and petrol) are almost fixed regardless if the station operates for a week or a month. A ski station on the Alps, in Bulgaria or Lebanon has the same costs if not less, operating for 4 full months serving more people. Therefore, in our case enough income should be generated in less time in order to stay operational.
  -The Government and other officials (Forestry Dept, KOA, KOT, EMS) have other agendas, other priorities, many mouths to feed, other issues to handle. The ski station which operates for two months at very best, serving a minority of the population is insignificant.
  The main projects and improvements made recently were:
  -A strategic plan was submitted to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry with ALL improvements required at the ski station (lifts, buildings, roads, machinery). The strategic plan was included in the Ministry’s plan for Athletic Tourism, which was altogether stopped soon after, due to lack of funds. Regardless of that the individual projects in the strategic plan continued on a case by case basis with KOA.
  -The replacement of the old 60’s ski lift which had major EU safety issues, with a used chairlift. The initial request to the government was for a lift which was to start from NF building, go to the top and continue to the SV area, thus connecting the two skiing areas. It was going to be placed closer to the radars and thus allowing the expansion of the NF slope. The Forestry department did not agree with the new plans provided because some trees had to be cut. KOA did not have sufficient funds to provide for a bigger and better lift. The current lift in terms of capacity, compared to the old lift, is a definite improvement. Currently it is operated in slower mode due to the fact that its operating with a generator (less electricity) and not a direct electric supply. Also it should be slowed down when non skiers are embarking.
  -The purchase of a new 'bully' for the grooming of the slopes. The old 'bully' was there since the 80s and was full of problems. The new 'bully' brought after KOA approval and tender procedures has improved the slope grooming.
  -Water supply for the NF building was finally connected, since there was no running water supply at the building since it was built! The water supply was coming from a 300 tons water reserve collecting water from snow when melting. Piping had to be placed starting from Troodos Square with supervision by all government bodies. Expenses were covered by the Federation.
  -Snow machine operation was and still is limited due to the luck of water supply. The water reserve (300 tons) was enough only to operate the snow machines for one night! In order to see significant snow production the snow machines need to work for several days and nights. After use it was necessary to wait for the snow to melt (high temperatures), collect water and work for another night. Initially, an open lake request was done to the Forestry department which was turned down and therefore the limited underground water reserve was made, without any steady water supply. The snow machines were and still are underutilized and a very expensive solution (electricity and water). A couple of years ago a study was made for the relocation of the snow machines at SV with the main difficulty being water supply. Drilling for water is next to impossible according to geologists, the pumping of water from sources lower areas (below Troodos square) is very expensive. The creation of a lake at SVII, is a more approachable solution with many approvals procedures since the water irrigates villages below Troodos.
  -The new plans for the new restaurant and ski shop at SV were made. The project dates back when president of the Republic was Mr Vassiliou! and the plan was to build a building similar to the NF building. The land was acquired from Forestry Department and it was going to cost many millions of pounds then, therefore it never materialized. The new plans are for a new plain and simple building with a budget of 1mil euro. Initially, the project was approved after a lot of effort and convincing (Ministries, Parliament, KOA, KOT). By the time the plans were ready its cost increased marginally (1.2 mil), and it was put on hold. Now there is approval to continue with the involvement of both KOA and KOT. Hopefully it will start soon!
  -Lighting of the NF slope was another project in the pipeline, in order to increase the utilization time of the main slope. After approvals from the Ministry of defence and the environmentalist who were claiming disturbance of the lights to birds, the project was put on hold by KOA because of limited funds, even though the budget was not high, but if added to the new chair lift, skiing was going to get significant funds compared to other sports.
  -All ski lifts had to undergo inspection and improvements in order to comply with EU safety regulations. The inspections were done by foreign organisations required by the EMS, since EMS had no idea what a ski lift was. Significant costs were involved for the improvements required as well as for the inspections, all undertaken by the Federation. Safety measures imposed are mostly the reasons why the lifts stop, since users are usually abusing them.
  -Implementation of a computerized ski rental system which gives control and safeguards rentals, though the old ski shop construction and space does not help as it is. Benefits will be more visible once the new modern ski shop is in place.
  The above are only some of the visible issues (the tip of the iceberg) tackled by the Federation the past 8 years and there are many other issues and efforts made towards several directions. If other reviewers wish to join forces with the Board members, they are most welcome to show their faces at the Federation office anytime and volunteer, since everybody in the Board are volunteers, and spend their own time and money towards the improvement of the station.

• February 16, 2011
  Another true Cypriot from Cyprus
  

  I completely agree with the two posts below of Hancock and A True Cypriot.

  It is unbelievable that some people want to settle and make us believe that it is "ok" to have a substandard "ski resort" just because "this is Cyprus." Unbelievable!

  Some other reviewers are the voices of negativity, the voices of idleness, the voices of do nothing. We should not listen to them. They have selfish motives for not wanting any development or progression on Troodos.

  These people who want no change, nothing to become better and to be happy with the status quo must be people working for the resort or people in the ski federations.

  We will NOT stand for that.

  Troodos can be a better ski resort.
  There is money to make it a better ski resort, it just takes people with common sense and a vision.

  And we must remove negative people and the others further below from any power because they just want to take Cyprus back to to the middle ages.

  And a note for Hancock, don't bother with the ski federations. They are negative, with no will to change anything. They will tell you that they want to change things but it is very difficult, blah, blah, blah. A bunch of 60 and 70 year olds that do not understand how big business skiing and snowboarding have grown to be.

• February 16, 2011
  hanckok from Cyprus
  

  OK guys and girls, as a newcomer (rookie snowboarder) I must give you my thoughts.
  Me and my bff just returned form a 4 day ski trip in Lebanon after snowboarding Mt Olympus for 3-4 weeks
  What as paradise Lebanon was: from everything to clean and nice boards and snowboard boots to well organized ski schools and beautiful pistes (Faraya) with modern (no fear) chair lifts.
  I fully agree with the 16.2.11 comment
  we need to voice our complaints, something must be done and it is us who must do it cause we all have a common goal: to enjoy the wonderful Troodos mountain!
  Anyone who has access to ski federations/organizations please write in
  I work for the media so I might be able to help:)

• February 16, 2011
  A true Cypriot from Cyprus
  

  Obviously another reviewer doesn't care when they operate just one of the 4 slopes just because they do not feel opening the other 3 but still charge you the whole amount. And that slope is Sun Valley 1 which is 100 meters long...

  You obviously don't care that the lift system in Sun Valley 1 breaks down every half hour.

  You obviously don't care that the rental shop is ready to fall on our heads and kill or seriously injur innocent people.

  You obviously don't care that you have to pay a triple price at the restaurant.

  You obviously don't care that you can see pregnant women casually walking up the sun valley 1 slope with beginner skiers coming down the mountain with no control of their skis.

  You obviously don't care that every year (when we have at least average snow fall) there are at least ten car accidents on the half a mile road just before the ski resort, because no one cares to clean it properly and on time.

  You obviously don't care that this resort could have easily been triple its current size if it was not for buraucracy and narrow minded government officials.

  You obviously don't care that most resorts around the world do NOT get adequate snow and use snow guns.

  You obviously have not heard the motto that every country has in regards to ski resorts: "build it and they will come." Meaning that if you do the right job and invest, skiers and snowboarders will come. And there are countries and communities with less money in worse situations and conditions than us that have done miracles to what we have done. Cyprus gets 4 times its population a tourism, a unique feat around the world. The government talks about, wants and spends money on winter tourism but they all go to waste when they could be utilized in Troodos to make it a better resort and attract more people.

  The problem in Troodos lies with the people in the ski federations. And I bet some of you who posted below how beautiful Troodos is and we should be praying the lord we have Troodos are from ski federations or work for the ski resort.

  Ski federations, in their 10,20,30 years of existence have achieved virtually nothing, have changed virtually nothing and they contributed nothing to Troodos. A chair lift? In 50 years of existence, since the British built the resort and left, we have installed an archaic, slow chair lift system and you want us to be ecstatic about it? Other countries with less money than Cyprus, less technology, no prior background in ski resorts have built multiple resorts, 20 times bigger, 100 more modern, in just the last decade....

  It if funny how some people in Cyprus are so satisfied with everything we have and want nothing better. I am wondering, how do you feel about the crime increasing 2-3 times every year, unemployment doubling every year, the purchasing power of the Cypriot household diminishing every year, etc.?

  It is because of people like you that nothing happens in this country. A few hundred rich people, which is in their benefit if people don't ask for more, don't want more are satisfied with little, have managed to convince thousands more that this is how it should be and we should be happy. And you are either a rich man or a narrow minded person who is used by a rich man.

  Good for you. But don't try to tell us that a resort built by the British 50 years ago and with NO upgrades whatsoever (with the exception of a lift replacement) is adequate and we should be happy because this is Cyprus. If all people thought like you, we would have never developed technology, medicine or anything else. As a matter of fact, if people thought like you, the human race would not exist as a species because without progression, species, civilizations, countries and communities cease to exist...

• February 05, 2011
  Bernard from Cyprus
  

  Congratulations to George from American Samoa. It was about time somebody explained clearly what is actually going on. The only thing we can do now is go up to Troodos and enjoy what we can still enjoy. Our money will help the Cyprus Ski Club to survive.

  One idea that would not cost too much but could bring in the much needed cash, would be to move the three snow making canons to Sun Valley One. To do this one would need to install a small dam (or reservoir) close to Sun Valley Two to accumulate the substantial amounts of water that is needed to produce artificial snow. Contrary to what George says, there are still enough nights with freezing temperatures. Incidentally, this water reserve could also be used by fire fighting helicopters during the summer.

• February 04, 2011
  Buzzle from Cyprus
  

  Congratulations to George from American Samoa for his fantastic comments! Credit to all those who spend their free time trying to make this sport possible whilst struggling against all odds!
  Thank you George

  [Editor's note: this post will be displayed for a short time]

• February 04, 2011
  John from Cyprus
  

  Wow, it's the first time I have been on this site and I am frankly stunned at some of these comments. Cut these guys some slack. Are you expecting St Anton on the Med? Sure the ski rental shack has to be sorted but the 4 lifts are not bad for any level. Bear in mind that it is impossible to predict revenue for the ski club in Troodos. We are talking 10 weekends a year in a good season! . As for the ski rentals, people have tried and failed. I challenge any one of you no everythings to set up a ski rental business in Cyprus! Go on then, you obviously have vision and MBAs. Do the math! and be happy you can ski in Cy. Troodos is magic. After skiing north face for 20 years the Alps are like nursery slopes. Stop moaning and get on your skis.

• February 01, 2011
  Chris from Cyprus
  

  Every comment I read about Troodos resort (Mt Olympus) is all about how bad it is and that the authorities don't do anything about it. Hasn't anybody noticed the huge 4 person chair lift that was installed last year and is now fully functioning?
  I love Troodos for what it is and I can't wait for the snow to arrive every year.
  Slide, breath the fresh air, exercise, practice your moves and then drink beers!

• January 25, 2011
  George from American Samoa
  

  A lot of people complain about the situation on the Troodos Ski Slopes (Mt Olympus).
  They do not have any clue about what is going on up there.
  1.Snowfall in Cyprus is getting worse year by the year. Last year the resort was open for only two days. Lack of snow not only averts skiing but it is also unsafe since the substrate on the mountain is made up from very hard stone and rocks, unlike the European substrate which is usually made up of grass and soil in most cases. The lack of deep snow makes it difficult to move snow around i.e. from the bottom to the top.
  2.The prices have been kept almost unchanged for the last years despite the increase of the fuel prices that skyrocketed in the same period. Since the resort is very small with a very small skiing season there is no way that they can be ever lowered. Unfortunately, the economy of scale is working the other way around resulting in increasing costs. In addition, all the safety regulations of the EU have a highly negative effect on the prices.
  3.The facilities especially on Sun Valley are antiquated beyond repair and maintenance. Because of the serious financial problems resulting from the lack of snow there is no way that the ski club alone can build the newly designed facilities building. However, the committee is working very closely with the Tourist Organization of Cyprus (KOT-CTO) and the Cyprus Sports Authority (KOA) to find a permanent solution to the problem. The plans, by the way, can be seen in the official Cyprus Ski Federation webpage.
  4.The modern snow making facilities that exist on the North Face slope have been affected first by the very high temperatures (much above freezing point even on the evenings) and then by the terrible drought of the last years. To put it plainly : without water and without freezing point temperatures snow making is impossible.
  5.The people who always complain, they are the last to offer any help. At the Annual General Assemblies no more than twenty people showed up unless they come to get an award or prize money.
  6.Snowboarders have to realize that when snow is very shallow and soft, the damage caused by their much thrilling sport is enormous. To further disappoint them, I am almost sure that there is not even space to build a half-pipe or a proper snowboard park.
  7.The slopes in Cyprus are blessed with a great Black Pine (Pinus Negra) forest that, by the Laws of the Land, can not be disturbed or thinned as some complainers suggest.
  8.As it has been written before, Cyprus is at the very edge of the Ski World. The weather conditions will stay the same if not worse. So enjoy what we have: the blessing to own now and stop complaining about things we are not supposed to have. If you really want to get involved you can always volunteer at the races or at the general assemblies.
  9.Some people complain about the Cyprus Green Party and the Cyprus Forest Dept. This is not an appropriate forum for those complains and I suggest that you should address them at the proper channels if you want to be heard by them.
  Have a nice ski season.

• January 20, 2011
  Andy from Cyprus
  

  The 4 ski slopes at Troodos will open this Friday (21/1/11)

• October 18, 2010
  Dina from Cyprus
  

  I was searching online if it was possible to find a forecast for this years snow in Troodos, now I knew it was a long shot but something must come up. Then I came across this site.

  I was really excited this year, I was planning to visit my sister in Spain. She lives near the snow and told me there is a ski resort not far. I even asked my parents to buy me a snowboard for my birthday so I can use it then.

  But it turns out my parents have decided that my sister will come here with her kids and I'll be stuck in Cyprus. Too bad I'm just a student and can't afford to travel anywhere that often and I can't buy a snowboard here as they don't sell them and I'll be stuck going to Mt Olympus which charges 20 Euros for the snowboard rental and they are shit.

  Last year I went 3 times and none of the lifts worked, they claimed there was no snow on top and I'm positive that if there's adequate snow below there should be some on top as it's higher. Also the charge for the lifts is horrible and they barely work as people said.

  I really wish they would do something about it. The place has potential. I remember years ago, maybe 5 years ago we came with the high school every year and the place was pretty packed, the lifts worked and we had lessons on how to ski offered too.

  Shame though, it's not that hard to do a few things, all they need to do is spend some money fixing the shed/rental place. Place the cannons into place and create snow and they'll be able to work longer and thus get more money and I might actually find it worth paying that much.

  And true, they need to plant more trees elsewhere and cut a few here and there. I'm not a fan of cutting trees but if you have good reason and you can replant and they can do something with the trees, supply them to be turned into planks and then they can make something out of them, then go for it.

  And this is so true: A country only gets what its people ask for.

  If anyone knows how to contact the specific department in the government related to this, let me know 'cause I want to complain. And other people should too! It's only 2 minutes of your life, 2 minutes that can make a change for all of us! Every little helps.
  Here's my email: hitchiked@gmail.com

• April 02, 2010
  Andreas from Cyprus
  

  Sometimes I wonder why I even care. Nothing will change at Mt Olympus.

  Why? Because 99% of the Cypriots do NOT care. So we are 3 people complaining, writing and making phone calls, while the other 500 Cypriot skiers are worse than sloths. They do nothing. Cypriots must be the laziest, sheep like, no complaint, brainwahsed, do to us what ever you want, people in the world. That's why Cyprus is a mess in any case.

  You don't care about Troodos?. Fine. This is the last post and the last complain. It seems that the people who have been writing and complaing, we are the people who can ski abroad in any case. So Costas, George and John, stop your efforts for this resort. Let it die down. Let it become worse. 4 people fighting is not a team effort.

  So for the rest of you, who swallowed your tongues (god forbid you should spend 2 minutes to voice your concerns/complaints) go to Troodos next year, pay 23 euro for only one piste, Sun Valley 1, stand in line for an hour waiting for the lift to be fix, after breaking down every half an hour, then do your 45 second run, yupeee, and I will be there laughing when you are complaining amongst yourselves.

  A country only gets what its people ask for.

• March 09, 2010
  Costas G from Cyprus
  

  I am 52 years old and have been skiing in Troodos (Mt Olympus) for the last 23 years.
  I agree with everything said in the other posts below, so I will not repeat.
  I will say though two things.
  Two sundays ago, I was also skiing in Sun Valley.
  It was the first time in the 15 years that I have been coming to Troodos (every year) that Sun Valley 1 had less then 15 skiers! Also, it was the first time I did not see any tourists!
  So I think people have gotten the message and are fed up with the situation, the condition of the resort and the bad attitude and ignorance of the employees there.
  Actually the other couple that usually comes with us (me and my wife) they were in Parnassos in Greece... having the best time of their lives.
  The second thing I would like to mention is that I have already written to the government about the bad situation in Troodos and the inappropriate behavior of the employees there, asking to have them all replaced before the next season.
  So I agree with the other post below that everyone seperately must take 2 minutes of their time to write a complaint letter and another 2 minutes make a few phone calls.
  But to save you time, do not write to the 4 ski federations. The ski federations have never looked after the interests of the skiers. The ski federations do not care about Troodos. The ski federations are as ignorant and apathetic about skiing as a 5 year old is about global warming.

• March 04, 2010
  George from Cyprus
  

  Message to Olympus ski resort in Troodos, Cyprus:

  Last Sunday I went to the Troodos ski resort. They opened only Sun Valley 1 but they still charged us 23 Euro.

  The lift kept breaking down every 20 minutes or so because the T-bar was getting tangled up upon release on top of the slope by the skiers and the snowboarders. To fix it, they were taking 10 to 20 minutes

  One of the people in charge there started complaining to us that the reason the lift was breaking down is because the snowboarders did not release the T-bar in time. How ridiculous is that?

  If that is the case, then why in the 5 years that I go to Troodos, this has never, not once happened to the other 3 T-bar lifts? Why is it happening only to Sun Valley 1 every single year? The reason has to do exclusively with the tension of some of the lines holding some of the T-bars.

  Not only do these people have no idea about how to operate the resort and the lifts, not only do they not care, but they try to blame the snowboarders.

  Why is this not happening to the 1000's of other T-bar lifts in other resorts, even on slopes especially occupied by total beginners?

  It is not the skiers, it is not the snowboarders, it is the total ignorance of the people in charge of the lift.

  After people started complaining and shouting for the other slopes to open, the people in charge said that there was not enough snow. This, of course, was a lie. Because after a lot of complaining and threats that we were going to ask for a refund, they opened the Zeus slope at around 11.30 and there was more than enough snow. Actually, it was 100 times better than the weekend before when all slopes were open and all slopes were full of rocks.

  So the people who work there, they are lazy and liars too.

  Skiers and snowboarders wake up. Get organized. Start complaining. Start demanding. Do not let anybody destroy the only resort we have in Cyprus. Start writing letters to the government and the federations. Demand that all employees at the Olympus Ski Resort are replaced.

  Because they are government employees and because government employees in Cyprus cannot be fired nor penilized in any way, form or shape, these people do not care and are not willing to do any of their duties.

  If we want to keep enjoying Troodos, we need to stand up and fight for our rights.

  Do not wait for others. Everyone must speak up. Just send a letter of complaint. Even two lines. Ask for these employees to be replaced. All of them. They must be removed from the resort. This must be the last year these people are allowed to work there. Start acting before it is too late. Lets also create a club, an organization or something so that we have power. But do send a letter. Call your local House Representive or politician. Tell them that these people are thieves, liars, ignorant, incapable, not suitable for their job and they make the slopes a death hazard.

  ACT NOW

• February 17, 2010
  Jonny-ski from Cyprus
  

  Never, never, never in Troodos (Mt Olympus) again.
  With 95 euro!!!, you can fly to Thesalloniki, return, 20 euro hotels and you are set.

  You know why the side walks have not been done in the Tombs of the Kings road for 30 years now. Because for 30 years they have plans to widen that road. So for 30 years now, they are waiting for the following year to widen the road and then do sidewalks.

  The other reason is because Paphos had incabable mayors for 30 years. I am in Limassol. Our mayors are passionate about our city, they our proud, they fight and things get done. I will never understand why you people in Paphos elect mayors with no soul, no strength, no will to do anything good for their city.

  Back to the ski resort (Mt Olympus). The forest authority and the green party are indeed the cancer of Cyprus when it comes to making parks, resorts and other places where young people can experience nature. We are losing billions of euros in tourism every year because the government does not realize that tourists no longer want just to sit in the sun. They want activities. And Cyprus offers none.

• February 15, 2010
  Andreas from Cyprus
  

  It is because of opinions like that of another reviewer that we never get anything done in this island. Things like "oh we are so small, we are just an island, we are lucky we even have this..." are destructive to us as a nation.

  In addition, we don't get snow only for one month. With the exception of this year, Troodos starts getting snow from mid December and last until end of March/beginning of April. In 2009, the resort on Mt Olympus opened on Dec 26 and closed in late March. If the snow canons could be put to use, the season would be close to 4 months...

  I was in Troodos two days ago. All pistes were open and all pistes were full of rocks and were as ungroomed as you have ever seen. It was like a mogul piste, only worse and with rocks. Sun valley 1 was only working for 4 days and already, two T-bars were missing from the lift. In addition, the slope of Sun Valley 1, which is a slope for beginners, was full with non skiers. From children to pregnant women, creating a death hazard. Tell me where in the world you see non skiers casually walking, playing and sitting on a ski slope...

  I was once speaking with a politician (house or rep) and I mentioned how small Troodos is and he said in Cyprus we cannot take out any trees because we don't have many. What an idiotic answer. A country in the Alps, yes, they have 50 times more trees than us, but they have resorts 100 times bigger than ours and they took out trees 100 times more than we would have to enlarge Troodos.

  We are lucky to have the shack at Troodos and when it falls down and kills a baby, we are lucky that it only killed one, and when tourists disappear from the island because we offer them facilities that are 50 years old, and we starve, we are lucky that at least we did not get hit by tsunami... and so on...

  The government speaks about agrotourism. Do to what? To see what? I am in the tourist industry and speak to tourists every day. Has any politician taken the time to speak to a single tourist? During the hunting season, the mountains of Cyprus are a war zone. Worse than Afghanistan. Hundreds of shots per minute. Tourists are terrified to visit the mountains.

  Quality tourism they say they want. What quality when the roads have been a construction site and death traps for 10 years now. What quality tourism when the most touristic road of Paphos, the tombs of the kings road, does not even have a side walk and tourists push their baby carriages on dirt and mud or have to walk on asphalt half a meter from speeding cars?

  Anyway. I do not think anything will change in Troodos (Mt Olympus). That's why we started going on a ski trip every year. With around 400-600 euros you can go to Lebanon, Greece, Bulgaria, etc, for 4 days, ski more than 50km of piste and have a great time. Instead, you can go to Troodos, pay 23 euro for the ticket, 15 gas to get there and back, 15euros for a snack and coffee and be happy about it. By the end of the season, if you go to Troodos 10 times, you would have spent over 450 euro and you would have skied the same 300 meters of slope quite a few times.

  Troodos, never again.

• February 11, 2010
  Costas from Cyprus
  

  I agree with another post that they could do a lot better up there at Mt Olympus.

  On the other hand we only get snow for a month during the whole year so personally I don't care if is just a shed I find up there.

  This doesn’t change the fact that some changes should be made. A proper research from a group of environmentalists, urban designers, skiers, architects etc would find solutions to various issues and offer changes that could both protect the environment and offer better facilities and services.

  Let’s hope the owners or the ski federation of Cyprus finds the will to start thinking of improvement.

• February 09, 2010
  Jimmy from Cyprus
  

  On the one hand, someone could claim that we are lucky to even have snow in Cyprus let alone a resort (Mt Olympus). This is the argument of idiot Cypriot politicians with a brain the size of a pea and balls the size of a sand grain.

  Cypriots (and I am one of them) are incapable of taking initiative, having a vision of the future and taking action to implement a vision.

  What we have today, we owe to the sun, the beach and the English. We did nothing on our own to improve anything. If Cyprus were located in Central or northern Europe, we would still be living in caves.

  The "rental shop" is ready to collapse, leaking from all sides, broken muddy floors. They did not even install an A/C in there. It is exactly as it was a few decades ago. No improvement. An embarrasment to every Cypriot and even European citizen (as we are part of EU now, go figure)

  The people who work there (Mt Olympus), have no clue and the equipment can get you killed.

  The road leading to Sun valley 1 (and the ski shop) is a death trap in winter. It is narrow, cars are bumper to bumper and they do not know how to clean it property. So it is basically an ice skating ring. There are accidents every year but who cares, right?

  The Troodos square; they rennovated it a few years ago. It cannot even fit two cars. It has no amenities.

  The whole of Troodos square and the pistes, have no parking spaces. They accomodate about 10% of visitors, with the rest having to park on the side of the road, creating a death hazard and traffic jams.

  The lifts are archaic. They only changed the Zeus drag lift and installed an archaic chair lift which they did not even operate last year because they are simply stupid.

  The slopes are even worse. And they are too small. The average run is 300 meters!

  The ski lift operator does not even hand the T-bars to the skiers. He sits in a chair and expects people to grab them.

  Half of the T-bars are broken off within a couple of weeks of operation of the lifts and no one replaces them.

  Half the time, only 1 of the 4 lifts are operated, because they lie to the skiers at the ski shop, telling them that it will open later, so that they buy the ticket, for the full cost, and they never open them.

  On top of all these, they charge over 20 euros for 300 meters of slopes, even when only 1 of 4 lifts is open!

  They bought canons a few years ago and they do not even use them.

  Troodos ski resort could easily have been at least 3 times its current size with modern amenities, parking spaces, well maintained slopes, fast chair lifts and every facility that other European resorts have.

  The problem is two fold.

  The first is the Forest Authority and the Green Party. These are the cancer of Cyprus. They think by protecting two trees, they are serving the environment. Instead, they are creating a culture which grows up away from the environment. They cannot see the big picture. We could have taken 200 trees out from Troodos and planted 1000 elsewhere. But no, god forbid if Cyprus takes out a few trees. As if Cyprus is the number 1 enviromentally concious country in the world.

  The other factor is the government which is manned with irresponsible, incapable and corrupted politicians.

  They talk about winter tourism. How? Where? They do not even do the minimum. No amenities. The roads are death traps. The ski shop is 50 years old with no improvements. The slopes are 300 meters long. Which tourist is going to visit twice?

  With the beautiful sunny winter weather, the Troodos resort could have been a top place for international competitions for skiing and snowboarding.

  Imagine if they could create a snow park. Imagine if we had slopes of 1000 - 2000 meters (which could be made).

  No dream, no vision, no effort, no responsibility, full corruption. In one word, Cyprus

• February 08, 2010
  Simon from Cyprus
  

  Accidents happen!!! When I got off the ski lift at Mt Olympus a few years ago there were people on the ground who had already gone over on the compact ice, I couldn't avoid them and went over as well dislocating my shoulder in the process. I walked back to the shed and handed my boots and skis in and asked if there was a medic around or a first aid centre, the reply was no, you will have to go to hospital. I was lucky in having a driver who was able to take me to the nearest hospital at Kaperunta. There, I think the cleaners could have done a better job than the staff. They couldn't even put a drip in. I was put in an ambulance but not strapped in on the bed, this meant having only one good arm I had to choose between staying on the bed as we went around all the bends or holding onto my arm which was not strapped in and was falling off the bed under it's own weight. My driver followed in the car behind while my nurse sat in the front oblivious to my predicament. This continued all the way to Limassol General with me trying to stay on the bed and hold on to my useless arm. The pain killers were given at Limassol where I was treated well but to get there it took six hours and was very, very painful.
  Think about your trip before you ski, it's freeze thaw conditions. The quote 'you can ski and swim' is technically possible though the conditions for both would generally mean skiing on ice and swimming in a very cold sea, the Med looses it's heat after the summer and takes until the next summer to warm up.
  My advice would be to go and look at the scenery at Mt Olympus or go somewhere else.

• February 01, 2010
  susanna from Cyprus
  

  It's that time of year again - snow on Troodos (Mt Olympus).
  I wonder if the ski hire has improved at all this year ie: decent equipment and friendly people who know what they are doing?

  As for Sun Valley Cafe, lets hope it collapsed at last, even a tent would be better.