Sport Activities

Skiing: During the winter season, the ski center on Mount Parnassos (or Parnassus as it is also known), is an extremely popular destination for many, with its excellent ski and winter sport facilities.
Many don't put '' Greece'' and ''ski'' together in the same sentence, however cold weather admirers have known for years that alpine wonderlands around the south Mediterranean's mountainous regions are nothing to be ignored. Where in the world can you ski, and have the sea under your feet? The unique and stunning region of Parnassos, the majestic mountainous area, is one of the most beautiful in all of Greece.

When the cold sets in from December to April and even later up north, ski and snowboard fans alike will be up at the crack of dawn making their way to one of 20- odd Grecian hills that are cheaper than their north European counterparts, in large part because the majority are run by municipalities and local alpine clubs. Parnassos Ski Centre is a comprehensive ski area which comprises of easy access to off-piste and delightful available touring amongst 'Scottish' size hills however, draped with Alpine snow and Mediterranean weather! For nature lovers and those who like hiking and outdoor activities, it is perfect. It is also a good place for learning as most of the runs are not very steep.

There is a refuge for mountain climbers at Gerondovraho (alt. 1900 m.), 9 km. from SKAMNOS, tel. (Greek Alpine Glub, Athens) +30-1-3021.24.29. The modern installations at the Parnassos ski centre called Kellaria and Fterolaka (10 km. from SKAMNOS), which is run by the GNTO (Greek National Tourism Organisation), will satisfy both experienced skiers and beginners.
Kellaria 1750m, Fterolakas 1950m
Slopes: 3-easy, 6-medium, 5-difficult, 1-very difficult, 1-cross country
Lifts: 13
Open: Mon to Sunday from 8:30 to 3:30
Facilities: Cafeteria and restaurants for 500 people(Kellaria) and 300 people(Fterolaka), parking, doctor, babysitting,
Distance: 24km from Arachova and just 10 km from our Bed and Breakfast SKAMNOS
Tel: (0234)-22694-5, Fax (0234)-22596
This is Greece's most popular ski center since it is only about two hours from Athens and very close to Delphi

Ski Mountaineering
Parnassos is the first mountain in Central Greece on which skis were used for winter ascents. Greek mountaineers in the '30s explored the mountain, locating about ten routes that begin at the HAC hut, have a long descent, and end up in one of the villages on the eastern or the northern side of the mountain. These routes were repeated by later mountaineers, some of whom connected their names with the annual repeat of certain descents, such as Makis Idosidis and the Velitsa Gorge.

1. The Descent of Velitsa
Starting point: Hellenic Alpine Club hut.
Ending: Moni Aghias Marinas or village of Tithorea.
Altitude difference for the ascent, 600 m.
Altitude difference for the descent, 1,100m (on skis).
Time, 7-8 hours.
First done by K. Natsis and I. Panorgios in 1937. The best known ski mountaineering route in Greece. The starting point of the route is at the HAC hut. Climb to the peak of Gerondo-vrachos, following the Ski Club pylons. From Gerondovrachos, descend to the base of Tsarkos. Put on the skins (used to prevent the skis from backsliding) here and reach the Kotroni-Tsarkos col. Stop here to admire the wonderful view of the Velitsa Gorge, wild scenery that reminds us of areas like Mount Gamila, just beckoning for a descent. Alternatively, climb to the summit of Tsarkos to enjoy a wonderful descent from an altitude of 2,415 m, which is pretty steep in the beginning. After descending Tsarkos, take the right side of the ravine below a distinctive hollow rock. Avoid descending through the dolines as you gradually lose height. This side of the ravine is shaded by the Treis Tsoubes ridge and holds more and better quality snow. After reaching the forested slope, keep to the right toward the central ravine that comes from Sideroporta. The Tsares spring is here, and here the skiing usually ends. After hitching skis to backpack, walk to the Monastery of Aghia Marina (1h30), or to Tithorea (2h). The Velitsa route can be started from Fterolakka where there is usually more snow, while the ridge of Gerondovrachos is often bare of snow even in the middle of winter. To do the route from Fterolakka, begin from the ski resort and go southeast. Leaving Liakoura to your left and Kotroni to your right, climb Tsarkos. Carry on as previously described.

2. The Moni Ierousalim Descent
Starting point: HAC hut. Alternatively, Kellaria or Fterolakka.
Ending: Moni Ierousalim – Davlia.
Altitude difference for the ascent, 800 m.
Altitude difference for the descent, 1,200 m.
Time, 7-8 hours.
Additional equipment: crampons and ice axe are useful.
First done in March 1931 by K. Natsis, D. Baud-Bovy, and friends. This route probably is the first traverse made on skis in this country. The pioneering Greek climbers - skiers were searching for routes offering a gentle ascent and a long descent. Such is the traverse HAC hut (1,900m) - Mavra Litharia (2,334m) - Moni Ierousalim (900m). Kostas Natsis and his friends, however, had to begin from Arachova on foot. After climbing Tsarkos peak, as described in the previous route, descend towards Sideroporta. Subsequently, climb to Baitanorachi, near the Mavra Litharia peak. Remove the skins and throw yourselves into the pleasure of the descent of the - steep in the beginning (30o-35o)- southeast slope. Then a gentle ravine leads us to the Monastery of Ierousalim. We stress that the Moni Ierousalim descent is difficult and even dangerous when the weather is hot because of its southern orientation.

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3. Nipsi
Starting point: Fterolakka ski resort.
Ending: Tithorea village.
Altitude difference for ascent, 700 m.
Altitude difference for descent, 1,400m.
Time, 5-6 hours.
First known traverse by Yiannis Panourgias (April 1994).
Head towards Liakoura and climb to the peak of Raidolakka. After enjoying the wonderful view of the Velitsa ravine, move north towards the Nipsi peak (1,996m), leaving it to your right. A path resembling an airstrip unwinds before you. This snowy strip has been created by avalanches that have swept the slope clean of trees. The entrance to the strip is spectacular and sudden. We prefer the right side since it is shaded by firs the snow is of better qua-lity. At the end of the strip and after 5 minutes of carrying the skis on your back, you will reach a dirt road. An hour’s walk will take you to Tithorea.

An alternative to the three above mentioned routes begins at the end of the ski lift at Kellaria. That way you save 1 to 2 hours.

4. Liakoura
Starting point: Fterolakka.
Altitude difference, 800 m.
Time, 4 hours.
First ascent on skis, 16 April 1931. A pleasant route. Ideal for a solitary outing or for beginners.
5. Gerondovrachos
Starting point: the HAC hut (1,900 m).
Altitude difference, 600 m.
Total time, 3-4 hours.
First ascent on skis, 23 February 1931 (the first winter ascent on skis done in Greece). The climb is pretty steep and tiring from the beginning, and the slope is often bare of snow. If you do find snow, however, the descent from the peak is one of the most beautiful in Greece, offering an unlimited view of the Corinthian Gulf and the mountains of the Peloponnessos.

5. Gerondovrachos
Starting point: the HAC hut (1,900 m). Attitude difference 600m. Total time 3-4 hours
First ascent on skis, 23 February 1931 (the first winter ascent on skis done in Greece). The climb is pretty steep and tiring from the beginning, and the slope is often bare of snow. If you do find snow, however, the descent from the peak is one of the most beautiful in Greece, offering an unlimited view of the Corinthian Gulf and the mountains of the Peloponnessos.
Avalanche Warning
Increased danger of avalanches has been recorded on the route from Fterolakka to Liakoura (immediately after the ski resort) on the Tsarkos - Moni Ierousalim route (on the descent from Mavra Litharia) and all along the descent from Nipsi. The specific identification of these particular areas does not mean that the rest of the mountain is without danger from avalanches. This is especially true when the conditions are dangerous, such as after heavy snowfall.

Mountain Bike If you love climbing, then this mountain bike odyssey across Mt Parnassos is a perfect gift from the Greek gods. You can start at Delphi which the ancient Greeks regarded as the geographical center of the universe. The limbs get a major workout on the backroads of Parnasos Mountains. Here you can face challenging ascents, many of them steep, but all well worth it for the magnificent views. The terrain that inspired legendary myths now provides you an opportunity to spin your own biking myths. Another interesting path is from Arachova climbing up to the Parnasos National Park. The terrain is gorgeous: uninhabited, mountainous ascents and descents amidst aromatic conifer trees, rocky limestone, large raptors flying above, and potable fresh water mountain springs.

Climbing: the landscape is very mountainous and rocky. Since most of this rugged landscape is undiscovered,it is very isolated and perfect for climbing.

Canyoning: Mt Parnassos, with its massive mountain ranges hides numerous gorges where canyoning can take place, usually between June and October. There are routes of varying difficulty with rappels from 10 up to 70 meters height.

Other possibilites are eis skating in just 3 km from SKAMNOS Bed & Breakfast and swimming in just 20 minutes from our hotel.

Hosre riding
Take the change to challenge one of our four horses. Only for good riders!

Snowmobile
Rent snowmobiles directly by our Hotel from our partner Costas Chatzis.

Canyoning

Ski-Snowboard in the e ski centres .

Swimming in a distance from 40 to 80 km from SKAMNOS Bed & Breakfast