Imagine a holiday where you have to divide your suitcase between shorts and flip-flops, and hats, scarves and gloves? While plenty of destinations can boast that they provide something for everyone, Lebanon fulfils this promise more than most: it’s the only country in which you can ski in the morning and be swimming in the Mediterranean by the afternoon. And you can fly there in just over four hours.

Indeed, during the winter months, the temperatures in the mountains drop as low as -4°C while on the coast, the mercury rises to a balmy 17°C, so a sun, surf and ski weekend is technically feasible. However, if you’re travelling from the UAE, chances are you’ve had your fill of beaches and are far more interested in seeing the snow.

Marvellous Mzaar
If that’s the case, there’s nowhere better than the Mzaar resort. Located at 1,850m, with 80km of runs, 18 lofts and heights reaching 2,465m, it‘s regarded as the best and most developed Lebanese ski resort.

The panoramic views from the chairlift really bring home the surreal contrast between the snow-capped slopes and the sundrenched coast, with the sparkling Mediterranean on the horizon. It’s a timely reminder: hit the slopes early enough and you can hit the beach in the afternoon.

Unlike the tree-lined runs of European and North American mountain ranges, the Mount Lebanon range is rocky and bare. The level of skill on the pistes is very mixed and the resort is best suited to beginners and intermediates, although there are a couple of black runs. Fortunately, the pistes are wide and never crowded, so there is room to get out of the way of less experienced skiers.

Apres-ski
Not only is the landscape of the runs in Lebanon very different from its North American and European counterparts, so is the apres-ski ritual. If your idea of the perfect way to round off a day of skiing or snowboarding is to head to a bar in search of some vin chaud and while away your evening there, you’ll have to hit the slopes early, as most of the (very few) piste-side bars only stay open for around half an hour after the lifts close. The best thing, therefore, is to do as the locals do and head back to your hotel to relax and refresh before going for a late dinner.  If your post-piste aches and pains aren’t too severe, head to the buzzing area of Gemmayze after dinner to sample Beirut’s famous nightlife.

When to go
The ski season runs from mid-December to early April, depending on the weather. The snow is not the most reliable, but has great potential if you catch good weather; March is considered the best month to go, as the snowfalls and weather are more consistent.