WebUrbanist » 5 Places You Probably Never Thought to Go Skiing: Far-Out Ski Destinations from Lebanon to Bolivia

5 Places You Probably Never Thought to Go Skiing: Far-Out Ski Destinations from Lebanon to Bolivia

Exotic Ski Resort

It’s that time of year when most ski resorts are wrapping up their winter ski season and avid urban vacationers are taking those last weekend runs. Ski buffs sometimes brag about skiing at Whistler, Big Sky or other more exclusive resorts, but how many can say they’ve skied in Bolivia or New Zealand? You can’t beat the price of skiing in South Africa and you can even catch a (chilly) lingerie fashion show on the slopes in Lebanon.

Skiing Lebanon

Lebanon: Who would have thought that Lebanon not only has ski resorts but that one of those resorts have annual lingerie shows? That’s right, the Faraya Ski Resort - an hour from Beirut and the largest ski resort in the Middle East - holds an annual show where shivering models show off the latest sexy styles. Lebanon is also one of the few places in the world where you can go skiing in the morning then take a dip in the Mediterranean in the afternoon! Of course, be sure to check the political climate before checking into a Lebanese resort.

Skiing Bolivia

Bolivia: At over 5,000 meters Bolivia has the highest ski slope in the world. However, the Chacaltaya glacier has been melting in recent years and much of the permanent snow cover has been depleted with time due to climate changes. Nonetheless, during the snowy season there are still skiers to be found on its slopes though - for now at least.

Skiing South Africa

South Africa: There is only one ski resort in all of South Africa and it manages to stay open just a few months a year (June through August). Some natural snow is present but snow-making is necessary to keep the slopes open even for this relatively short ski season. Approximately 5,000 visitors enjoy the slopes each year - a relatively modest sum but if you think about it, with one resort: how many people in South Africa ski?

Skiing New Zealand

New Zealand: There are actually a surprising number of places to ski down under, though the best and longest-lasting snow can be found in the southern part of the country. The slopes range in type from glaciers to volcanoes and the scenery ranges from vast stretching lowlands to coastal views and glacial lakes.

Skiing Dubai

Dubai: The Ski Dubai indoor slope has over 20,000 square meters of interior space and accommodates snowboarding and sledding in addition to skiing. Since it is, of course, not weather-dependent it is open all year round with five runs of varying difficulty and a freestyle zone. The building is highly energy-efficient but of course no indoor ski area in the desert can be considered environmentally friendly.

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Posted by Urbanist March 21st, 2008
Architecture, Environment, Travel, Various
Comments: 6

Comments

Comment from EnnaVic
Time: March 21, 2008, 3:49 pm

Ski season in NZ is really only a few months too - over our winter months. Very weather dependant how long it lasts.

Comment from April
Time: March 21, 2008, 5:26 pm

Thank you for always being a source of delightfully stimulating visuals:}
April

Comment from Andrew Flynn
Time: March 28, 2008, 9:46 am

New Zealand is actually the biggest ski resort destination for US Residents out of the Ski Season in our lands.

The one main group of groomers that grooms for all the big freestyle competitions (Snow Park) also happen to manage a mountain there called Snow Park.

They just finished the US Open at Stratton, will have 2 more comps….then head over and turn all of New Zealand into some of the cleanest slopes around.

Comment from Max
Time: March 29, 2008, 8:17 am

Iran should have made this list. Dizin and Shemshak are both great ski resorts. Untouched infrastructure since the 1960s but lots of good deep snow.