Mount Parnassus (Parnassos), 27 km from Arachova, 200 km from Athens.
The
G.N.T.O. (E.O.T in Greek)
installations are at Kellaria - Fterolaka, altitude 1.650 - 2.250 m.
There are in operation 121ifts: one gondola lift with four- seat compartments
and a capacity of 1.400 persons per hour, 4 three - seat chair lifts with a
capacity of 1.200 persons per hour, 1 two-seat chair-lift with a capacity of 700
persons per hour, and six ski - lifts with a capacity of 1.200 persons per hour.
There is an ambulance and a doctor, two restaurants, bar, three parking lots,
four spreader for the ski grounds and ski schools for beginners and advance
skiers. There is also a shop, which sells or hires out skiing gear for children,
teen - agers, beginners and experienced skiers.
At the point called Gerondovrahos, at an altitude of 1.800 meters, there is a skiing installation belonging to the Athenian Ski Club, which has three ski lifts and a small restaurant.
The two centers, Kellaria and Fterolakka, are situated at on one of the most spectacular mountains of Greece. From Kellaria's highest lift on a sunny day you find yourself enjoying one of the most breathtaking views of the sea below. Facing the glaringly white surrounding mountaintops and the bright blue sky you feel high on life, full of energy and ready to ski the world.
Kellaria is the busier of the two centers mainly because its gentler slopes are more attractive to beginners. If you wish to improve your skiing or snowboarding skills this is a good place to take lessons. Beginners have their own clearly marked space where they can practice their turns without wanting about other skiers zooming by.
If you're thirsty or hungry by now, a bar/restaurant offers drinks and snacks and if you are lucky or it's not too busy, a comfortable deck-chair outside, where you can rest your tired, and possibly bruised and aching body while watching other skiers on the runs. Reward yourself with a cup of hot coffee and a chocolate croissant - it will give you the strength required to leave your chair and put your skis back on.
The center is open from December to April, daily from 09.00-16.00 hrs. For the rest of the year it functions as a holiday resort.
The two centers, Kellaria and Fterolakka, are situated at on one of the most spectacular mountains of Greece. From Kellaria's highest lift on a sunny day you find yourself enjoying one of the most breathtaking views of the sea below. Facing the glaringly white surrounding mountaintops and the bright blue sky you feel high on life, full of energy and ready to ski the world.
Kellaria is the busier of the two centers mainly because its gentler slopes are more attractive to beginners. If you wish to improve your skiing or snowboarding skills this is a good place to take lessons. Beginners have their own clearly marked space where they can practice their turns without wonting about other skiers zooming by. While the ski lift connective the two centers is a good idea. It rarely operates.
If you're thirsty or hungry by now, a bar/restaurant offers drinks and snacks and if you are lucky or it's not too busy, a comfortable deck-chair outside, where you can rest your tired, and possibly bruised and aching body while watching other skiers on the runs. Reward yourself with a cup of hot coffee and a chocolate croissant it will give you the strength required to leave your chair and put your skis back on.
Fterolakka's north-facing position is favored by advanced skiers because it offers challenging pistes. Check out the black run if your skiing skills are up to it.
While the ski lift connective the two centers is a good idea. It rarely operates.
Stopping for lunch after a hard day's skiing is a must. At Kalyvia, on the road to Arachova and Arachova also, you'll find plenty of traditional taverns serving good traditional food.
Plenty of specially chartered buses make the day-trip from Athens to Kellaria on weekend mornings. The buses leave from central Athens or the northern suburb of Kifissia painfully early (around 5.30 in the morning!) and make their way back to the capital after the ski centers close. Details on specific dates and times can be obtained at any of the shops selling ski equipment.
You'll have no problem finding accommodation during weekdays but if you wish to spend a weekend in Arachova, especially during the ski season, it is necessary to book well in advance.
For all information you need about Arachova and Parnassos, call the Arachova’s Town Hall Information Office on 0267-29170.
The area's nightlife revolves around Arachova, where there are plenty of good bars and clubs including "offshoots" of well-known Athenian hot spots.
If you wish to stay somewhere quieter and combine your ski trip with sightseeing you can always stay in Delphi, within easy reach of the famous oracle and museum.
In total, Parnassos proximity to the Athens, a comfortable two and a half-hour drive, makes it an easy day-trip for skiers. Both ski-centers are open most days of the season and you can expect good snow. The centers offer the best available facilities in Greece and the ski-passes are among the cheapest in Europe.
Parnassos' ski centers temporarily obscure the memories of the sunny days spent on the slopes. Mysteriously, images of the spectacular white cliffs come back to haunt you the moment you step into the office after a rejuvenating skiing weekend. As soon as you catch yourself browsing through snow reports on the Internet you know you'll be going back for more.
