Mount Parnassos generally sucks. The equipment stands there by early 70s, Papadopoulos period, xaxa. Look at the lifts [except Iraklis], the eggs! pathetic and the prices, unbelievably high. Ski pass €30e, coffee €5e, cheese pie €4e, water €0,7! Why? We aren't jerks, not all of us I think. Go abroad anywhere and you will see, take your chance to other Greek resorts. Don't waste your time here. exw i kleftes...
I've been skiing at Mt. Parnassos (Mount Parnassos) since I was 7 years old. The mountain is extremely beautiful and even though I agree that the resort's management is overcharging on the weekends I still go every weekend if weather permits it due to the fact that it is the closest sking resort to Athens. Some might say that Helmos, in Kalavryta, is the same distance, I cannot argue that point but Mt Parnassos is much better for me. Don't get me wrong I like Kalavryta as well but not as much as Parnassos. Some information about a large sum that is going to be invested for upgrading the equipment, most of which are from the 70's and 80's, is highly expected by skiers all over let's hope that this money is going to be spend wisely.
Cheers.
Because Parnassos (Mount Parnassos) resort consists of two distinct resorts, real skiers should avoid Kellaria and prefer Fterolaka: less crowded and cheaper prices at the cafeteria. (it's run by a different company...)
I have lived in Switzerland and Greece. Parnasos (Mount Parnassos) is a total rip off. Th quality of service is low and the prices are higher than Switzerland in everything. Taking into account the cost per skiing kilometer it is outragious. Save your money and go to Chamonix, Zermatt or even St Moritz any time off the high season. If you go to Austrian smaller ski resorts, even better. Check your self and compare with any travel agency specializing in ski vacations
Hey all,
I see a lot complaining about prices at Mount Parnassos and what places are closeby to eat, rent equipment and stay.
A lot also find it frustrating with the morning traffic in Arachova as well as the outrageously tourist-aproach of the locals.
Yes, the daily ticket for the mountain itself is a steal but if you consider most of us will pay:
aprox 40 euros for gas (return trip) + food, snacks, liquids etc, the 30 euro ticket starts losing it's weight.
Should you also consider the major point cards, (aka 400 euro for 80 points = 40 weekend days) granted, you will not visit 40 times...there may not even be 20 weekends all together.. but a simple division of 400 / 30 will convince you..
Consider that there are indeed great places from the other side of the mountain (Tithorea, Amfikleia, Poludrosos etc) with a more friendly atmosphere and great people.
You can indeed eat to your heart's content with aprox 15 euro pp, rent cheaper, drink your coffee...and not to mention... there is no traffic blocking the way to the turn up the mountain, just because some bus could not park and just stopped in the middle for all the people in it to pick up their rental equipment.
People coming from the north side will know all this. People from Athens, however, know only one way... and that is why you will find them naming the entire mountain "Arachova".
My last (posted) comment was written in December 2006 (please see below), but I must admit that things have become a bit better - more snow and less problems. As I have been skiing for more than 30+ years (in Greece and Europe), I still believe that Mount Parnassos is a magical place for a day trip when the sky is blue with plenty of sun.
But again, never go on weekends.
2007-8 and 2008-9 were relatively good years.
2009-2010 is going to be excellent with lots of snow.
Take care and start training now.
Mount Parnassos is one of the magical mountains of Hellas. Enjoy skiing every day except weekends. We are on late April and still skiing. Enjoy the view from the top, explore the terrain off-piste and feel the magic of near-by Delphi. With sky clear conditions you can see Mountain Olympos to the north. Avoid the celebrity clubs and try to feel the real spirit of the mountain.
I hear everyone complaining about the price and everything else at Mount Parnassos. But the truth is it goes by supply and demand; the resort can even consider raising their prices just to get fewer skiers and thus less queues on the lifts. If the price was 18 euros so many more people would go especially amateurs and make Mount Parnassos even more unbearable.
Now as for the price for coffee and such, I haven't gone to any resort and found the prices to be decent, so there is no use of signaling out Mount Parnassos.
I am interested in the 600 euro 'deal' that has been mentioned in a review. When I went to the Alps I didn't pay anything close to that.
Mount Parnassos is the largest ski centre in Greece. It cannot compare with Alpine resorts, but what it lacks in facilities, it makes up in terms of annual snowfall due to its proximity to the sea.
The views from the top of lifts such as "Odysseas", "Iraklis" and "Ermis" can be truely breathtaking and the atmosphere is warm and friendly.
In the last few years there has been a marked effort to operate the centre at full capacity and it shows. The lifts may be in dire need of replacement and an extension to the more snow-sure area known as "Ano Kellaria" has been on the cards for longer than any skier in Greece remembers, but the staff appear determined to make the most of what is available under what can be very adverse weather conditions. As a result, queues have been greatly reduced despite a considerable increase in the number of skiers and snowboarders who visit Mount Parnassos resort.
The terrain at Mount Parnassos is varied and includes some gentle slopes in Kellaria as well as some very interesting steeps off-piste in Fterolaka. There is also some limited tree-skiing to be enjoyed, although, because it lies at a relatively low altitude, snow coverage there is far from guaranteed.
Unsurprisingly, there is a lot of nightlife, mainly in the picturesque village of Arachova and the surrounding area boasts one of the most important archaeological sites in the world: Delphi.