Cyprus Skiing Trip Report

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This article by Barry Hurst first appeared in the Cyprus Today newspaper on Saturday, 5th March 2005. 

SKIING IN TROODOS – IT’S A DIFFERENT WORLD!! 

Last Sunday afternoon, many of us were basking in the hot sunshine at the opening of Mohammed’s new Grove Inn, commenting on the gorgeous ‘summer’ weather. The very next morning, a group of 18 from Kyrenia were enjoying below freezing temperatures at the Troodos ski resort, which is just over an hour away in South Cyprus. The resort sits at 6,000 feet (twice the height of the Five Finger Mountains) and receives enough snow every winter to enable quality skiing for several weeks. 

The coach trip to Troodos was arranged by Barry Hurst, who has been at the helm of Cyprus Mountaineering in Kyrenia for the last few years. Although Barry typically organizes walking and rock scrambling tours in the Five Finger Mountains, he decided to run this ski trip report after experiencing perfect skiing conditions at Troodos just two weeks prior, when over a meter of snow had fallen. Nurşen and Veli Doğan, owners of the Pegasos Restaurant in Karaoğlanoğlu, were the first to sign up for the excursion after hearing Barry’s enthusiasm for the trip among friends at the bar. For Nurşen, it was her first time on skis, as it was for ten other members of the party. Barry arranged a beginner’s lesson with the ski school at Troodos, allowing most participants to venture off on their own for the day. Several joined the trip as non-skiers, relishing the fresh mountain air and beautiful scenery. 

A group from the Efendi Restaurant, including proprietor Andy, thoroughly enjoyed their day out. While Amy skied the challenging red run on the North Face, Andy relaxed with Veli in front of the hot stove, sipping a few Cyprus brandies! 

The Cyprus Ski Club operates the Troodos ski resort, which features four ski lifts servicing the runs. Authentic Austrian-made 'piste basher' tracked vehicles keep the pistes well-groomed, and they even utilize several snow-making cannons to maintain the main run. 

The Ski Club offers ski, snowboard, and boot rentals, along with warm jackets and gloves! There are three cafeterias and a restaurant on the slopes, all at very reasonable prices. Officials at the Ski Club predict the resort will remain open for skiing throughout March, prompting Barry to organize further group trips, starting with this Monday, 7th March, and continuing later. You can join the group either as a skier (beginner or experienced) or as a non-skier and enjoy the atmosphere of 'a different world.' After the snow melts, coach trips will still be organized for enjoyable excursions into the Troodos Mountains, along with a walking tour option.