Bsharri (Arabic: بشري Bšarrī; Syriac-Aramaic: ܒܫܪܝ; also Romanized Becharre, Bcharre, Bsharre) is a town at an altitude of about 1,450 m (4,760 ft) to 3,088 m (10,131 ft). It is located in the Bsharri District of the North Governorate in Lebanon. Bsharri is the town of the only remaining and preserved original Cedars of Lebanon (Cedrus libani), and is the birthplace of the famous poet, painter and sculptor Khalil Gibran who now has a museum in the town to honor him. Moreover, Bsharri is home to the oldest skiing area, the Cedars Ski Resort, and to Lebanon’s first ski lift, built-in 1953.
The resort is about a two-hour drive and 130 km (81 mi) from Beirut. Qurnat as Sawdā Mountain in Bsharri is the highest peak in the Levant, at 3,088 meters above sea level. The nearby site of the Holy Kadisha Valley shelters some of the most ancient Christian monastic communities of the Middle East. A true heritage of Maronite Christianity in the Middle East, the town has also the biggest cathedral in the region, the Saint Saba Cathedral, built by Anthony II Peter Arida. Bsharri is sometimes called "the city of churches" as it houses some 37 churches. I am Anthony Rahayel, known as NoGarlicNoOnions; Award winner food blogger, TV presenter, marketer and passionate of life born and raised in Lebanon. Proudly based in the land of the cedars, my videos spread happiness and share joy.
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Cedars Ski Resort Bsharri is a located in the Bsharri mountains of north Lebanon. The natural area known as Cedars of God is nearby. Ariz (or Arz) means cedar in Arabic, and is sometimes used to refer to the area. The Cedars Ski Resort: It is Lebanon's oldest ski area and home to Lebanon’s first ski lift, built in 1953. The resort is about a two-hour drive and 130 km (81 mi) from Beirut. It is at Bcharreh mountain. This is a great resort for nature lovers and an ideal get-away destination. The Cedars are the ancient trees forming a forest in the heart of the village and a cedar tree is also found on the Lebanese flag. The Cedars resort is located in the North of Lebanon. Skiers came to the resort as early as 1920, and have been returning there ever since. The first lift was installed by the government in 1953. The Cedars resort has a slightly longer season than the others, sometimes beginning early November and often lasting until late April. The Cedars is very different. The resort is beautiful and the lifts are in a huge basin. Several chairlifts could take you to the very top of the mountain for off-piste skiing or down-hill thrills. For beginners, the Cedars is paradise, offering several snow-wire lifts on gentle slopes. An alternative suggestion is to practice cross-country skiing which is unmatched at the Cedars, mainly because of the charming surroundings and nature. Skidoo trips are also a common practice at the resort. In addition to the Cedars forest, there are numerous sites of interest in the area. Bsharri, is the village of the Cedars, is the birthplace and resting place of Gibran Khalil Gibran, Lebanon's most famous poet, artist and novelist. The Gibran Museum houses his paintings, drawings and personal effects. There are a number of Maronite churches and monasteries scattered throughout the mystic Kadisha valley. In summer 2005, The Cedars resort installed 3 new chairlifts to replace the old T-bars and extend the ski runs. 15 million US Dollars have lately been invested to upgrade the facilities and expand the resort to higher standard of in terms of accommodation, equipment, safety, and services. A Gondola for 6 persons will carry skiers and visitors from the parking level at 2095 m to the highest accessible summit of 2,870 metres (9,420 ft), however there is no indication yet of when will this be completed. To comply with international regulations, a Refuge with a capacity of 400 persons will also be built at the top of the Gondola. Its terrace will be equipped with telescopes capable of viewing as far as the island of Cyprus.
