Lebanon remains wealthy in magnificent beauty that calls us to hang on to it despite the crises. Winter, in particular, dresses the country with amazing sceneries, turning Lebanon into a marvelous wonderland.
About a 45-minute drive from Beirut is the Lebanese pretty small village of Faraya with a population of only 1,900. Located in the Kesserwan District. The name Faraya is Phoenician for “the land of fruits and vegetables” in reference to its rich soil fertility.With an altitude ranging from 1200m to 2000m, Faraya witnesses annual snowy winters making it a prime location for skiing and other snow activities. Since 2017, it has been the location of the largest statue of Saint Charbel, making it a popular site for religious tourism in Lebanon.
Despite that, it’s a major ski destination, not only for Lebanese, but for people in the Middle East. During the winter, Faraya becomes the main preferred destination for skiing and various winter activities like snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Yet, during the summer, Faraya becomes a destination for camping, ATV cruises and many more outdoor activities.
Besides, Located about one hour away from Beirut, the majestic Kfardebian village is one of the most famous ski areas in the Middle East, in Faraya. It is a municipality in the Keserwan District of the Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate in Lebanon. Kfardebian gathers the oldest and largest skiing resorts in Lebanon and the Middle East, such as Mzaar Kfardebian and Faqra Kfardebian, as well as many historical and touristic sites, such as Qalaat Faqra.
A bonus fact! Kfardebian consists of two parts: Kfar which is Syriac word means small village, and Debian is another Syriac word, which literally means deers, thus Kfardebian means village of deers.