After 514 Days: Israel’s Mount Hermon ski resort reopens to the public

Rafael Naveh, CEO of the Mount Hermon site, expressed enthusiasm about the milestone, stating, “There is a great buzz this morning. We have been waiting for this moment for too long, and we welcome it.” Located near the Lebanese and Syrian borders, the site had been closed due to security threats from the war with Hezbollah, which inflicted significant damage through rocket attacks.

Despite a recent week of heavy snowfall, skiing remains off-limits this season due to direct hits on two cable cars and insufficient snow accumulation, as reported by KAN. Repairs to the battered infrastructure, including the ski lifts, are ongoing and expected to extend into 2025, with international specialists soon arriving to assist. For now, the resort offers alternative attractions, such as snow play, sledding at a designated facility, virtual reality skydiving, and children’s activities, alongside a functional cable car ride. “The public is invited to take advantage of the wonderful weather, book tickets, and head north,” Naveh urged, emphasizing the chance to boost tourism and the economy in the Galilee and Golan regions despite the late-season timing in early March.

Mount Hermon, which typically draws half a million visitors annually in peacetime, has been a focal point of restoration efforts. Miki Inbar, VP of Marketing and spokesperson, called the reopening “a symbol of our efforts and hopes for the north to return to normalcy,” encouraging overnight stays to support local restaurants and businesses. Tickets must be pre-purchased via the official website, with police anticipating tens of thousands of visitors. However, authorities caution about unexploded ordnance risks and marked minefields, urging compliance with safety guidelines. Security at the summit’s “Hermon Crown,” now under Israeli control post-Assad, will also be heightened to safeguard the area.