All About Greece: Can I Ski or Do Winter Sports in Greece?

If you ask people about Greece, the first thing they’ll mention is the fantastic food, the soothing sun, and the beautiful Greek islands. Very few will talk about skiing, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, sledding, snowmobiling or even ice skating. Well, it’s time to set the record straight, or should I say introduce you to Greece in the winter.

Welcome to “All About Greece”, part of “TO BHMA International Edition Travels Greece With You” series. Here we answer your questions and introduce you to this wonderful country we call home and you call vacation!

So can you ski and do winter sports in Greece? Absolutely! And that’s exactly what makes this tiny country so amazing. In just a few hours, you could be skiing in the mountains and swimming in the sea all in the same day. The Greek landscape is so diverse and full of surprises, it’s bound to make anyone happy.

Ski Resorts in Greece

The Kalavryta Ski Center on Mount Helmos, Peloponnese, Greece.

Believe it or not, Greece has about 20 ski resorts where you can hit the slopes and have fun in the snow. Most offer lessons, rentals, and runs for every level: from beginner to pro. And you’re bound to find a chalet-style cafe around if you prefer to watch the others ski over a cup of hot chocolate.

Greece’s most popular ski resort, some two hours from Athens, is Parnassos Ski Resort, located in Central Greece, near the buzzing apres-ski winter village of Arachova. At an altitude of 1,640-2,260 meters, it is the country’s largest and best equipped ski resort, offering 21 runs and lifts that link its two sections: Kellaria and Fterolakka.

The Mainalon Ski Center in Arcadia, Peloponnese. Photo: Eurokinissi/Arcadia Portal

Other popular ski resorts include Kalavryta on Mount Helmos in the Peloponnese. At an altitude of 1,700-2,340 meters, it offers 12-13 runs and is also about a 2.5-hour drive from Athens. The happening town here is Kalavryta, which is also historically significant, plus there’s so much to see and do between ski sessions, like checking out the Cave of the Lakes, or taking the historic Odontotos rack railway through the Vouraikos Gorge.

Next in line, Kaimaktsalan on Mount Voras on Greece’s northern border in Macedonia. Kaimaktsalan may be smaller in size with fewer ski runs, but it is the highest-altitude ski resort in Greece at 2,020-2,480 meters, and snow here is usually a given. Central Macedonia is worth exploring, home to dozens of lesser-known, off-the-beaten-track villages and towns. Not to mention the sheer number of wineries and lakes. What’s more, after a day on the slopes you could unwind with a dip at the Pozar Thermal Baths.

Winter Sports in Greece

Kaimaktsalan at dusk, Photo: ANA-MPA/Hellenic Public Properties/STR

And yes, there’s more of alpine Greece to discover. The Vasilitsa Ski Resort, for instance, in Grevena on the Pindos mountain range in Western Macedonia offers 16 scenic runs at an altitude of 1,646-2,115 meters, and is a favorite among freeriders and snowboarders. The wider area is also known for its traditional stone villages.

In Eastern Macedonia near Drama, Falakro – with 21 runs at an altitude of 1,620-2,232 meters – is perfect for intermediate and advanced skiers. And if you’re lucky enough, you may even catch a mind-blowing view of the Aegean Sea on a clear day.

And yes, there are more ski resorts in Greece, including 3-5 Pigadia in Naousa on Mount Vermio, Elatochori in Pieria right next to Mount Olympus; Velouchi near the town of Karpenisi; and Mainalon in Arcadia.

What You Need to Know

Vassilitsa, Greece. Photo: Kostas Villa/Eurokinissi

Best time for winter sports in Greece

From mid-December to late March. This, of course, depends on the altitude and the snow levels.

Best place for alpine skiing & snowboarding

Parnassos, Kalavryta, Kaimaktsalan, Vasilitsa, Falakro, 3-5 Pigadia, Elatochori, Velouchi, and Seli.

Best for Cross-country skiing

Vasilitsa, Pertouli in Thessaly (Central Greece), Metsovo in Epirus, Northern Greece.

Amazing landscape in Vigla, Florina’s ski center, Greece

Best for ice climbing & winter mountaineering

Mount Olympus, Greece’s highest mountain; Mount Tymfi (Gamila) in Epirus; Smolikas, the second highest mountain in Greece in Ioannina; Mount Taygetos in the Peloponnese; and Vardousia, Central Greece.