Don't bother, really.
Super expensive, you spend half the time queueing on super slow open chairlifts.
The pistes are 6/10 on a good day and the off-piste is non existent 90% of the time.
We came with our two year old daughter and we hired a sled. The sled comes with a rope that you can pull. But the rope was torn after 10 minutes. I hurt my back carrying my daughter all the way up.
That was not what I wanted when I hired the sled. I asked for a refund and they refused. I asked to see the person in charge and after a long wait after which they did not bother to arrive, we simply drove away.
All negative feedback should be read suspiciously. Ever heard that Hermon is on the border with Sirya and Lebanon? There is military training nearby? And have you checked how many days of snow there is year round? You want high mountain skiing go to the Alps. You want fun and on a good weather day have a proper day: getting up early and getting home late. And be able to say I skied and swum in the ocean on the same day, then that's the place to go.
I am a ski snob. German by birth, I began skiing and walking about the same time. I have lived and skied around the world. Having immigrated to Israel approx. 5 years ago, I vowed to go at least once just to get my non-skiing spouse into the snow. We went in January, staying in Newe Ativ overnight where we rented equipment and purchased lift and parking passes. The staff was friendly and efficient and I did not find the prices extraordinary. If you want to ski cheap- do X-Country, ok? There's even a Beit Knesset on premises. We had a fantastic time. The lines were not long at all. The diversity of people and cultures was heartening. Druze, Satmars, handicapped, just to name a few of the groups represented. It's a great family-oriented place, with many coming not to ski, but bringing their various snacks and gear (think beach-like) just to enjoy some fun in the snow. There is rental and pro shop on premises as well as ski school, snack bars, sled runs, and a "roller coaster" type thing. The slopes are well maintained in that as little snow as there was, is was still quite skiable without exposed rock, grass, or ice. The runs are of adequate length to justify the lift time, and breaking trail seems allowed. The further back areas have fantastic views and great variety. It was great value and I can't wait to take my grandchildren there.
Worst ski resort that you can find if you can call it a resort. Cable cars are slower than walking backwards and the pistes are narrow. Be careful since the lifts ain't slowing down at the top so you might get the charge slammed at your head.
Worst value for money, costs more than the extended 3 Valees in France; hilarious.
I recently visited the Hermon and was absolutely blown away, considering all the "that place is a bunny hill" remarks I was told about the place. I'm an expert skier from New Jersey, who pretty much skied everything on the east coast, to the gnarliest chutes and trees in Utah and Colorado, so you can trust me on this review. If you know where to look and don't mind traversing a little, you can find anything from 45 degree chutes and fun little tree shots, to small cliffs, to high speed groomers. Just about all off-piste skiing is inbounds, and will all lead you down to a lift. I could imagine on a powder day this place being amazing, but even on a soft snow day this mountain rocks. The scenery and views from the peak are stunning, and are are something different from other scenic mountains you've probably seen. The only cons are really slow lifts and not as much vertical as you would get at most of the bigger mountains in the states, as well as heavy traffic on the road leading to the mountain if you're travelling after 9:00 (so try and get there before 8:30 am). Other than that, this place is a must if your visiting the holy land, where you can have lots and lots of fun.
Not the Alps but very good skiing, on par with, say, the best ski areas of Southern California. The season is sometimes rather limited, though, so it is important to check conditions before going up...
I never tend to write reviews for things online but I felt it my duty to tell people that might read this how amazing Mt Hermon really is. As a New Jersey native I had the honors of shredding almost every spot the American east coast (Creek being my base) has to offer--and I can say with a clear conscience free of prejudice that:
1. In terms of views and scenery Hermon is 2nd only to maybe Vermont (Killington, Stowe, Okemo, snow...) but again that depends on taste.
2. The backcountry/freeride/off-piste whatever you want to call it is phenomenal/nearly/premo status (along with the scenery) on a powder day and also very accessible.
3. The runs are decent and a little too narrow but are actually longer than most runs I've encountered in the us east coast (excluding Vermont)
4. They should really think about setting up a mini park for Israelis that can really shred who do come there all steezed out and everything.
4.
January 25, 2012
Naomi r Wall
from
USA - California
Unfortunately, I can only say very negative words about the running of and owning Mt. Hermon Ski Area.
Stay away from them and the mountain. My advice, don't go there, don't let them tyrannise you.
I invested a lot of money in 1969 and established a very professional ski school and rental shop there. Was ski Instructor in the USA 10 yrs until Neve Ativ came forcibly into the pictures. Safety was no concern to them at all.
You can ski in Europe for a week cheaper and better than on Mt Hermon.
Ask me where, I shall be glad to tell you.
[note from the editor: this post has been edited in the attempt to remain relevant to services at ski field]
January 19, 2012
Alan Edelstein
from
USA - California
I skied Mt. Hermon yesterday for the first time. I expected a very small resort with little if any challenge. While Mt. Hermon is not Vail or Whistler, you can certainly have a great day of skiing. Coverage was fine and everything was open in the morning. Fog came in in the afternoon, visibility was almost zero up top, so they closed some areas. During the week the crowds are not bad at all. There is some really fun off-piste skiing, particularly if you go off to the left or the right from the main area. Because most Israelis who ski don't ski that much, the more advanced areas were largely empty. While the chairs are old doubles and slow, everything worked well and the resort was well-run. All in all, a great day with some terrific views.