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'''Faraya Mzaar Kfardebian''' or '''Faraya-Mzaar''' (]: فاريا مزار), also known as '''Ouyoune el Simane''' or '''Aayoun Al Simane''', is a ] in ].
]

'''Mzaar Kfardebian''' ({{langx|ar| مزار كفردبيان}} — formerly ''Faraya Mzaar''<ref>{{ cite web| url=http://www.skimzaar.com/ | title=Ski Mzaar.com; September 27, 2015}}</ref>) is a ] in ] and the largest ] in the ]. It is located one hour away from ], the capital of Lebanon. It is also referred to as '''Ouyoune el Simane'''.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://adventures.bootsnall.com/articles/06-09/skiing-in-lebanon.html | work=BootsnAll World Adventures | title=Skiing in Lebanon | date=January 7, 2012 | access-date=June 29, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115200939/http://adventures.bootsnall.com/articles/06-09/skiing-in-lebanon.html | archive-date=November 15, 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref>


==History== ==History==
In 1960, Sami Geammal, ] and a group of pioneers installed the first ski lift imported from Switzerland, on the "refuge" hill and built the first four chalets in the region. One year later, they bought {{convert|160000|m2|acre}} of property from Prosper Gay-Para in order to expand the ] area.<ref>{{ cite web| url=http://www.tourism-Lebanon.com/AyounElSiman.asp | title=Tourism in Lebanon &#124; May 1, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.comite-lesplateaux.com/history.html | title=History of Oyoune el Siman &#124; May 1, 2012 | access-date=June 29, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116130535/http://www.comite-lesplateaux.com/history.html | archive-date=January 16, 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
'''Faraya-Mzaar''' was founded in the late 1950's by Cheikh Salim El Khazen who built the Mzaar hotel and the Jabal Dib chair lift initially known as "Le Telesiege" (Source For Damien.rf :www.skimzaar.com/faraya-mzaar/skiing/lift-network.asp) Simultaneously, a group of pioneers, including Sami Geammal, Robert Nassif, Dr Georges Zebouni and Pr ], started the development of the ski resort, building the very fist ski lifts,(Source For Damiens.rf:"In 1960, Sami and Nicolas Jammal gained approval from Sheikh Salim El-Khazen to install the first chairlift imported from Switzerland, on the ski hill. At the same time, they build the first four chalets in the region, within the old town, neat what is now the InterContinental Mountain Resort and Spa Mzaar Hotel. Later they joined Dr. Riachi in buying 160,000 square meters of property from Prosper Gay-Para for further expansion of the chalet area" in http://www.skimzaar.com/faraya-mzaar/ski-resort/mzaar-evolution.asp)
The group started building the first residential "Chalets" designed by architect Raoul Vernet (For editor Damiens.rf : Sorry I could not find anything about R. VERNET but EVERYBODY KNOWS IT, AND i AM SURE YOU KNOW IT TOO, BEING SO MUCH CONCERNED ABOUT THIS TOPIC) kicking off a period of undiscontinued real estate development in the whole area of Kfardebiane (For Damiens.rf : You must be joking asking for a source about Kfardebiane)
For over two decades, "Faraya Mzaar Tourisme et Sport d'Hiver S.A.L.", the company founded by Cheikh Salim, was chaired by banker Joseph Abdo Khoury (For Damiens.rf: I am tired of copy/paste, this fact is in the webpages listed) In the early 1980's, the Saudi-Lebanese al-Mabani Group leaded by Fouad Rizk and Nehme Tohme acquired the majority of its shares and took over the development of the resort (For Damiens.rf : Rizk and Tohme Families are very respected and they now own the resort. I like your humor :))


In 1963, the Faraya Mzaar - Tourism and Winter Sports Company acquired the concession to build and operate ski lifts on lands belonging to the Kesrouan district municipalities. In 1965, the Mzaar Hotel opened its doors, and the company installed the first chairlift on the Jabal Dib Hills. The junction between "Refuge" and "Jabal Dib" was achieved in 1968 through the installation of the resort's third lift which was named "Jonction".


In the 1980s, during the civil war, the Mzaar Company was taken over by the Saudi Group al Mabani. In 1993, after the ] ended, the new group started expansion of the resort. In 2012, the resort's number of lifts reached 20 with around {{convert|80|km}} of slopes.


==Skiing Area== ==Name controversy==
"Mzaar" is the Arabic word for shrine or sanctuary. The highest peak in Ouyoune el Simane was called "Jabal el Mzaar" (mountain of the shrine) after a small Roman temple built on its top. It is believed that the Romans were using fire as signals to communicate between the coastal area and ], or Heliopolis, through ] and the Mzaar peak.
The ski resort has 42 slopes and 80 kilometers of groomed tracks{{fact}}. The skiing season in Lebanon is similar in length to that of the Alps stretching over a period of 4 months{{fact}}.


The official name of the area is Ouyoune el Simane, which means "Spring of the ]", and it is administratively under the jurisdiction of the municipality of ], which is also the case for the ] ski resort.
The peaks of the Faraya Mzaar mountain range vary between heights of 1913 and 2465 meters{{fact}}. The tallest peak, Mzaar, as well as the Nabil and Warde peaks, offer challenges for the experienced skier or snowboarder. Three other peaks are well suited for beginners, and even more are adapted to skier of intermediate level.
Skiing ranges between heights of 1310m at Faraya, 1850m (Ouyoune el Simaan) to 2465m on the peak above Mzaar.


==Skiing area==
In addition, there are a number of ] trails.
Ski season usually stretches from early December to early April.<ref name="Carter">carter, T., dunston, L., & thomas, A. (2004). Syria and lebanon. (p. 424). Lonely Planet.</ref>


The peaks of the Mzaar-Kfardebian mountain range vary between heights of {{convert|1913|and|2465|m|ft}}. The highest peak is Mzaar, followed by Wardeh and Jabal Dib (mountain of the wolf) Peak. Three other peaks are well suited for beginners, and even more are adapted to skier of intermediate level. In addition, there are a number of ] trails.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skileb.com/ski-resort/Mzaar/map/ |title=Mzaar Ski Resort Interactive Map |publisher=skileb.com}}</ref>
From the top of Mzaar, there is a view over the Bekaa valley, Mount Hermon of the Anti-Lebanon and other peaks like Laqlouq and the Cedars. Coastal towns and the capital Beirut can be seen on a very clear day.
Usually, opening hours during the week is from 8am to 3:30pm but it extends until 4pm during the weekend.<ref name="Carter" /> A variety of other activities and excursions are also available.<ref name="skiliban">Ski liban. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.skiliban.com/</ref>


Along with traditional alpine skiing, people can practice ski-doo, night skiing, snow boarding. Entertainment such as ski shows and fashion shows are organized to promote the resort.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=20012 | work=Middle East Online | title=G-string models promote Lebanon ski resorts | date=March 16, 2007 | access-date=November 9, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316205345/http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=20012 | archive-date=March 16, 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫ ==Natural and Historical Sites==
Situated at an elevation of 1550m at the feet of Faraya-Mzaar, Faqra has monuments which included: temples, columns, altars and rock cut tombs. The temple of Faqra is partly cut out of the living rock.


⚫ ==Natural and historical sites==
]
⚫ On the way to the ruins of ], one can see a natural water-crafted bridge called "Jisr al-Hajar" or the "Stone Bridge" with an arch measuring {{convert|38|m}}.
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.naturalarches.org/gallery-Lebanon-jisrelhajar.htm|title=Gallery - Jisr el Hajar, Lebanon|website=www.naturalarches.org|accessdate=Jun 12, 2020}}</ref>


⚫ ==Ski clubs==
⚫ On the way to the ruins of Faqra, one can see a bridge called "Jisr al-Hajar" or the "Stone Bridge" with an arch measuring thirty eight meters.
Mzaar-Kfardebian is home to different ski clubs.{{cn|date=March 2017}}


⚫ ==Ski Clubs==
Faraya-Mzaar is home to some of the Lebanese Ski Clubs, affiliated to the "Federation Libanaise de Ski (FLS)" (note:ski clubs are non profit organization):

* Faraya Mzaar Ski Club (Club des Sports), President: Christian Rizk
* Chabab Faraya Ski Club , President: Youssef Khalil
* Faraya Sporting Club, President: ]
* Al Oussoud, President: Mahboub Salameh
==See also== ==See also==
*] *]
*]-2000, 2008, 2009, 2016, 2017, 2022.
*]


== References ==
⚫ ]
Mema, J. P. (Photographer). (2008). Faraya from the sky. . Retrieved from
⚫ ]
<references/>
⚫ ]


==Sources== ==External links==
⚫ *, official website
{{nofootnotes}}
*
*http://www.faraya-mzaar.co
{{Keserwan District}}
*http://www.ikamalebanon.com/resorts/winter/mount/cities/faraya.htmm
*http://www.skimzaar.com/
*http://www.skileb.com/
*http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/196601/ski.lebanon..htm
⚫ *http://www.skimzaar.com/faraya-mzaar/ski-resort/history-skiing.asp
*http://www.skimzaar.com/faraya-mzaar/ski-resort/mzaar-evolution.asp
*http://www.skileb.com/lebanese-ski-federation/lebanese-ski-clubs/lebskifed.com/profile.asp?ttl=Profile&ttl2=History
*http://www.skimzaar.com
*http://www.ikamalebanon.com/national_heritage/mount_nh/mt_cities_nh/faqra.htm


{{coord|34|00|39.90|N|35|49|29.38|E|type:city_source:frwiki|display=title}}
==Warning==
An editor under usename Damiens.rf is asking for sources, about the height of Mzaar, is questionning the existence of jisr el hajar, le Refuge, who are the Rizk, Geammal, Tohme, Joseph Khoury and other people, hee wants u to prove that there are 4 months of skiing etc..
Please help bring sources otherwise he will tag this article for deletion.
He does not seem to like the idea of skiing in Lebanon or alternatively he does not like Lebanon or its people and thinks nothing in Lebanon is notable or reliable.


⚫ ]

⚫ ]
]
⚫ ]

Latest revision as of 23:32, 27 October 2024

Mountains half covered by the snow in Faraya
Oyoun el Siman in Faraya

Mzaar Kfardebian (Arabic: مزار كفردبيان — formerly Faraya Mzaar) is a ski area in Lebanon and the largest ski resort in the Middle East. It is located one hour away from Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. It is also referred to as Ouyoune el Simane.

History

In 1960, Sami Geammal, Emile Riachi and a group of pioneers installed the first ski lift imported from Switzerland, on the "refuge" hill and built the first four chalets in the region. One year later, they bought 160,000 square metres (40 acres) of property from Prosper Gay-Para in order to expand the resort area.

In 1963, the Faraya Mzaar - Tourism and Winter Sports Company acquired the concession to build and operate ski lifts on lands belonging to the Kesrouan district municipalities. In 1965, the Mzaar Hotel opened its doors, and the company installed the first chairlift on the Jabal Dib Hills. The junction between "Refuge" and "Jabal Dib" was achieved in 1968 through the installation of the resort's third lift which was named "Jonction".

In the 1980s, during the civil war, the Mzaar Company was taken over by the Saudi Group al Mabani. In 1993, after the Lebanese civil war ended, the new group started expansion of the resort. In 2012, the resort's number of lifts reached 20 with around 80 kilometres (50 mi) of slopes.

Name controversy

"Mzaar" is the Arabic word for shrine or sanctuary. The highest peak in Ouyoune el Simane was called "Jabal el Mzaar" (mountain of the shrine) after a small Roman temple built on its top. It is believed that the Romans were using fire as signals to communicate between the coastal area and Baalbeck, or Heliopolis, through Faqra and the Mzaar peak.

The official name of the area is Ouyoune el Simane, which means "Spring of the Common Quail", and it is administratively under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Kfardebian, which is also the case for the Faqra ski resort.

Skiing area

Ski season usually stretches from early December to early April.

The peaks of the Mzaar-Kfardebian mountain range vary between heights of 1,913 and 2,465 metres (6,276 and 8,087 ft). The highest peak is Mzaar, followed by Wardeh and Jabal Dib (mountain of the wolf) Peak. Three other peaks are well suited for beginners, and even more are adapted to skier of intermediate level. In addition, there are a number of cross-country trails. Usually, opening hours during the week is from 8am to 3:30pm but it extends until 4pm during the weekend. A variety of other activities and excursions are also available.

Along with traditional alpine skiing, people can practice ski-doo, night skiing, snow boarding. Entertainment such as ski shows and fashion shows are organized to promote the resort.

Natural and historical sites

Warde Station

On the way to the ruins of Qalaat Faqra, one can see a natural water-crafted bridge called "Jisr al-Hajar" or the "Stone Bridge" with an arch measuring 38 metres (125 ft).

Ski clubs

Mzaar-Kfardebian is home to different ski clubs.

See also

References

Mema, J. P. (Photographer). (2008). Faraya from the sky. . Retrieved from Snow Forecast, Snow Reports & Snow Conditions

  1. "Ski Mzaar.com; September 27, 2015".
  2. "Skiing in Lebanon". BootsnAll World Adventures. January 7, 2012. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  3. "Tourism in Lebanon | May 1, 2012".
  4. "History of Oyoune el Siman | May 1, 2012". Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  5. ^ carter, T., dunston, L., & thomas, A. (2004). Syria and lebanon. (p. 424). Lonely Planet.
  6. "Mzaar Ski Resort Interactive Map". skileb.com.
  7. Ski liban. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.skiliban.com/
  8. "G-string models promote Lebanon ski resorts". Middle East Online. March 16, 2007. Archived from the original on March 16, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2013.
  9. "Gallery - Jisr el Hajar, Lebanon". www.naturalarches.org. Retrieved Jun 12, 2020.

External links

Flag of Lebanon Keserwan District, Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate
Capital: Jounieh
Towns and villages
Notable landmarks

34°00′39.90″N 35°49′29.38″E / 34.0110833°N 35.8248278°E / 34.0110833; 35.8248278

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