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Parnassos

Mount Parnassos, one of Greece’s most famous mountains, with its two legendary peaks,Liakoura and Gerontovrachos, and its enchanting natural surroundings, has long been a favorite destination for travelers and mountaineers. In recent years, it is often said that visitor numbers reach the thousands during winter weekends, mainly due to the operation of the ski resorts.

The first few skiers, mostly from Athens, appeared in Arachova before World War II, with their numbers increasing in the postwar years. The earliest recorded group of skiers arrived in February 1930: 18 members of the Hellenic Alpine Club (EOS), who stayed in Kalyvia and skied on the surrounding slopes. In the years that followed, the number of skiers steadily increased, leading up to 1971, when the first small surface lift was installed on Mount Parnassos. This lift was built by the company Aluminium of Greece, in collaboration with the French company Pechiney, at the location of Fterolakka.

In 1974, a small group of friends founded the Athens Ski Friends Club, with Martin Simitsek, later the Director of Operations for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, serving as its president.


Snowy mountain road surrounded by pine trees leading to Parnassos slopes

In 1976, the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) undertook the construction of the ski resort at Fterolakka, and by 1977 a fully organized facility was in operation, featuring the main advanced-level slope named “Hera.” In 1981, the ski facilities at Kellaria began operating. This area proved ideal due to its slope gradients and excellent snow quality.

Today, Mount Parnassos is the preferred mountain destination for thousands of visitors and skiers. Depending on snowfall conditions each year, the Parnassos Ski Center (PSC) typically operates from early December through March.

The Parnassos Ski Center consists of two main areas, Kellaria and Fterolakka, located approximately 27 km and 24 km from Arachova respectively. Each area has its own access road and chalet, while they are interconnected by ski lifts. Together, Kellaria and Fterolakka offer a total of 18 ski slopes, 8 ski routes, 9 trails, and 3 beginner slopes, with operating elevations ranging from 1,600 to 2,300 meters. The downhill runs vary in length from 120 meters to 3.5 kilometers, with a total skiable distance of 35 kilometers.

Mount Parnassos combines breathtaking natural beauty with modern winter sports facilities, making it one of the premier mountain and ski destinations in Greece.