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<\/p>\nWinter and the first snowflakes begin to take their place on the peaks and slopes of the Greek mountains. With them, we are preparing to climb to enjoy the winter landscape and the magnificent view from above. Five ski resorts in Central Greece and the Peloponnese, await us this winter with their modern facilities and landscapes of incredible natural beauty that have nothing to envy their European counterparts. Put chains on the car, take thick warm clothes and sunglasses and let’s go… If you don’t have ski skis and other necessary accessories, don’t worry. In all ski resorts there are shops that rent and in some cases sell all the necessary items.<\/p>\n
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Parnassus<\/strong> Helmos Ski Centre – Kalavryta<\/strong> Mainalo<\/strong> Velouchi – Karpenisi<\/strong> Winter and the first snowflakes begin to take their place on the peaks and slopes of the Greek mountains. With them, we are preparing to climb to enjoy the winter landscape and the magnificent view from above. Five ski resorts in Central Greece and the Peloponnese, await us this winter with their modern facilities and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6092,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,27,61],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9989","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-thematikos-tourismos-en","category-mi-katigoriopoiimeno","category-proorismi-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9989"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9989\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6092"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nAccording to mythology, the inhabitants of the region fled to its peaks to escape the flood of Deucalion and every winter thousands of skiers, skiers and mountain lovers return to them to enjoy the white, velvety snow that covers its slopes. The Parnassos, covered with fir trees and with its highest peak, Liakoura, at 2,457m, is one of the highest mountains in the country, while at an altitude of 1,640-2,260m, the largest ski resort in Greece is located, opening in December, with modern facilities that satisfy from beginners to the most experienced and adventure lovers. It has 13 main modern lifts and 4 beginner lifts. The Centre also has 23 pistes, 7 ski runs and 7 trails, totalling approximately 34 km in length. The slopes have a downhill length of 50 m to 4 km. Beginner or not, you can ski with confidence as apart from the safety standards being met, the centre has a first aid unit. Combine your winter excursion to Parnassos with a visit to the famous Oracle of Delphi and a stay in Arachova, the “Mykonos of winter” as it is called as the wild parties continue there day and night.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/shutterstock_739153009-PARNASOS-1.jpg\")
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\nThe snow-covered mountain, as the word Chelmos means, “hosts” the Ski Centre at its top and the historic Kalavryta at its foot. In the Aronian Mountains, as the Ancients called the mountain, are the mythical waters of Stygos, where Thetis plunged Achilles to become immortal and where the gods swore by drinking its water. One week before Christmas, the centre opens its gates and welcomes young and old, beginners and experienced skiers. Climb to an altitude of 1.700m. up to 2.355m. and live a unique downhill skiing experience on the thirteen slopes of the resort with seven lifts. Descending from the top of Neraidorachi you can ski with a view of the sea and see the largest telescope in the Balkans, the “Aristarchus”.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/shutterstock_1158317902-MAINALO-1.jpg\")
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\nPut on your ski skis, grab your baton and head down the snowy slopes of the mountain, where the ancients began to worship the crunchy-footed god of shepherds, Pan. Just 30 km northwest of Tripoli, the mountain of Menalon, with its rich fir forest, rises majestically. Just before its highest peak, on the Ostrakina plateau, is one of the three oldest ski resorts in the country at an altitude of 1,600m. and the closest to Athens. It usually starts operating at the end of December. In the renovated three-storey chalet, guests can enjoy coffee, various drinks and snacks overlooking the snowy landscape while the two sliding lifts and the baby lift take them down the snowy slopes. Combine your visit with a stay in Tripoli or in one of the picturesque villages of Mainalon, with its traditional guesthouses and taverns. The closest ones are Kapsia, Vytina and Levidi. If you find yourself in the area it is worth following one of the eight routes of the first certified trail in Greece, known as the Mainalon Trail, 75 km long.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/15819606664_916e5463bb_o-1.jpg\")
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\nEvery winter the highest peak of Mount Tymphristos or Velouchi , “dresses” in white and waits for the fifty thousand skiers to “slide” on its slopes. At the foot of the mountain, the beautiful and historic Karpenisi, built in the fir trees and in the fertile valley of the Karpenisiotis river. The Velouchi Ski Centre starts operating at the beginning of December and has a total of 6 lifts, all modernised this year. A sheltered run for beginners, the one located at the Chelmos Observatory. Have a coffee or enjoy your meal at the large wooden chalet at the base of the ski resort or some drinks and snacks at the outdoor canteen at the Vathia Lakka location. Explore the mountain by renting a snow scooter and take your ride off the ski resort on a specially marked trail. Combine your visit with a stay in Kalavryta, the picturesque town with its cog railway and the Municipal Museum of the Kalavryta Holocaust, which bears witness to the brutality and savagery of World War II. Discover lush green villages such as Lousoi. Explore the impressive Cave of Lakes in the village of Kastria. Lose yourself in the enchanting Planiteros plane forest and discover the fairytale village of Zachlorou. largest in Greece and the Balkans. Four aerial, one sliding and one snow carousel for children. Skiers or, simply, lovers of snowy mountains, enjoy the breathtaking view at an altitude of 2,315m as you sip your coffee in one of the two cafes and experience nightly fun in the snow at the resort’s snow bar. Places to stay as well as taverns with traditional local dishes can be found in Karpenisi, just 10 km away, Neo Mikro Horio, 21 km away and Megalo Horio, 23 km away.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"