First of all, apologies for poor image quality but skiing and DSLR doesn’t come together! 😉
Secondly, I hope to visit more ski centers in near future to update this post.
Ski and other winter sports had been not so popular till recently in Greece. On one hand was, always, a high cost hobby on the other hand lack of facilities, few ski centers, short (& uncertain!) seasons, but above all lack of… ski gene.
So far I have practiced only Alpine kind of skiing and along with some friends we try to cover our season’s needs somewhere abroad every year in weekly ski tours (like Austria, Italy, Bulgaria etc). Main goal is to enjoy our hobby on its best avoiding crowded and poorly facilitated resorts. Thus, I have few visits in total, mainly on winter weekend escapes or in work-off days.
This year I am thinking, also, to try some ski mountaineering (aka SkiMo) just for a change; nonetheless greek mountains are way too beautiful to rest upon lifts to ski them.
Mt Voras (Kaimaktsalan)
Kaimaktsalan is located in Pella, around 100km NW from Thessaloniki. It is the highest altitude elevated ski center (almost at 2.500m) in country and normally held snow from November till late May. Seasonal days through are limited enough due to high intensity winds and fog likelihood. Best run is in Kremasi but is not always open. Longest run is on the intermediate lift but the 13 minute ride to the top is a killer! There are one chalet and one snowbar, both of them very lively during weekends. If you wish to attend some ski tutoring go to the Red Ski Academy; guys are simply great! Don’t forget to stay (or at least to visit) Agios Athanasios, perhaps the most well traditionally designed village on the greek mountains. Also, take a drive up to Pozar spas.
Mt Helmos (Kalavryta)
Kalavryta is located in Achaia, Peloponessos. Attracts young people especially from Patra and Athens (2h drive) and there are enough people who prefer to ski off-piste. Long waits on the queues and extreme slow lift up time to the peak could be discouraging. The huge chalet is perfect for pit stopping regularly. I suggest to check out Castle Resort for staying and Varvitsiotis tavern for eating. Additionally, take a ride with cog train; a must-try experience.
Mt Mainalo
Mainalo is located in Arcadia, Peloponessos. It lays in a low altitude so season is limited and is really short. Avoid weekends or holidays; there are only two lifts and stalling in the queue can be extensive. I Strongly recommend to visit nearby villages, especially Vytina. Few nice spots to eat are Koubouris, Palaia Vytina and Hayiati.
