The ski resort at Mount Hermon on Thursday opened to visitors for the first time this year, after snow piled on Israel’s highest mountain in recent days.
Some 16 inches of snow were measured at the lower level of the mountain and 28 inches at the upper level.
Current conditions do not permit skiing and snowboarding, however, the resort noted on its website. Operational facilities (depending on weather conditions) include the cable car, extreme sleds, a virtual reality Sky Rider attraction and a snow sledding complex, which will operate at the upper level only.
Entry to the site requires booking in advance via the Ski Hermon website.
Resort staff arrived at the site early on Thursday morning and cleared the roads for access in preparation for the anticipated crowds, according to Ynet.
Nearby lodging options for the weekend are nearly fully booked, the report added.
Earlier in the week, the Israel Defense Forces Alpinist Unit completed its annual series of unique training exercises designed to prepare the troops for the extreme weather conditions on the mountain.
The unit’s preparations are conducted also to enable the safe opening of the Mount Hermon site to visitors.
The mountaintop is the only location in Israel that enjoys guaranteed snow in winter.
Israel’s only ski resort was shuttered for 16 months due to the war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. It reopened last year, although skiing was not possible due to damage inflicted on the ski lifts by Hezbollah fire.
