Downhill skiing

Perfectly preserved 4000 year old skis have been found by Swedish archaeologists, verifying the ancient use of these 'vehicles' for moving over snowy surfaces without plummeting down into it, though skiing wasn't known as a sport until the late 19th century, with the first ski competition in France in 1907, with its inclusion in Olympic competitions following soon after.

There is a world of difference between quiet cross-country skiing or slow downhill skiing to speed skiing downhill, with the latter involving extreme slopes of up to 60 degrees at speeds of up to (and even faster) than 240 km (150 miles) per hour.

Even more startling than such speeds is the fact that the skiers who achieve them are skiing above the snow, and not at all in contact with it. To accomplish this feat, not only must the gradient be at least 60 degrees, but it must also be at least 3.2 km (just under 2 miles) long, either natural or artificially constructed.

The main countries which foster this sport have the longest skiing tradition: such as Russia, the Scandanavian countries, France and the U.S.

In Greece, skiing as a sport first emerged in the 1920s, though mountain people and fisherman in northwestern Greece were known to use skate-like devices for crossing snow or ice in winter.

As a sport, it was introduced by returning emigrants, with the first Greek skis produced in the early 1930s, made of wood and with tips that resembled prows, and fostered by the Greek Mountaineering Association, which organized the first competitions.

Since its founding in 1983, the Greek Skiing Federation (EOX the acronym in Greek), became the official organ in Greece for sport and competitive skiing in the country, also representing it in international competitions, advising on new ski grounds, and promoting the sport nationally. Now among the 25 top countries in the sport , Greece skiers have done very well in international competitions.

One of most popular skiing areas in Greece is Mt. Parnassos near Athens (which reaches an altitude of 1500 meters or more than 8000 feet), and which offers easy slopes for beginnings and very demanding ones for the very experienced.

The longest skiing seasons are in northern mountains like Falakro, where the snow remains longer than on mountains farther south.

Scenery on Greek mountains is spectacular, with extensive conifer forest on many of them. There are many skiing centers on mountains all over Greece, in the Pindos mountains of the far northwest, in central Macedonia, the Peloponnese, Pilio peninsula in easternmost central Greece, and many more, with listings available from the Greek Skiing Federation (EOX). Travellers visiting mountainous areas in Greece in winter or early spring might find information at local travel agencies as well.

Mt. Kaimaktsalan

This is a favorite skiing area on the Voras Mountain near Pella in the central part of the huge northern region of Greek Macedonia, 45 km (almost 30 miles) from the regional capital of Edhessa.

The center, open from late November until early May, is on the northeastern slope of the peak of the same name, with the central building at 2,050 meters (6724 feet) and the highest lift at 2480 meters (8134 feet). The huge number of trails includes sixteen marked slopes with 13 km (8.06 miles) of total length, with many kilometers of natural trails beyond. Three slopes are easy ones for beginnings, and three more with 'baby' rating. For competitions, two slopes have electronic chronometers.

In addition to all this, there is a Snowboard Funpark filed and 5 km (3.1 miles) of trails for cross country skiing on virgin snow. There are also two one km long tracks for experienced skiers, reached by ski lifts.The high peak, (for experienced skiers) is near the border with FYROM, where a small church honors the Serb and German soldiers who died there in 1916, during World War I.

The Center (also referred to as a 'chalet) has some easy slopes for beginners, and offers a hotel with 46 beds with central heat, a fast food restaurant, restaurant-bar with local traditional specialties on the menu, a café-bar with a hearth fire, show room with traditional local products, ski and snowboard equipment store, ski school with professional coaches, an infirmary, information kiosk, and parking. The northeast side of the mountain are forested, with pine and large beech trees on the slopes, popular with trekkers, and accessible from the town of Airdea (18 km from Edhessa). In the Mt. Kaimaktsalan area there is also a spa with a woodland lake fed by mineral water, at Loutraki, and a glider runway near Lake Vegoritidha.

The Edhessa area and town

This area in northern Greece, close to the border with FYROM, is known for its natural beauty, with plains,rivers, lakes, waterfalls, marshes, wooded mountains, and mineral waters (both hot and cold).

The city of Edhessa is famous for the river that runs through the town, fed by mountain springs and by Lakes Vegoridha and Agra, with tributaries, waterfalls and little bridges everywhere, and the tall waterfall at its edge down which the waters join and fall onto the plain below. It is a town of old stone houses, trees and gardens, the only freshwater aquarium in Greece, water-powered workshops and restored watermills, a 14th century church, local cuisine, and the traditional folk music with its brass bands.

The Loutraki spa, not far from the town, is in a spectacular setting with forest trail along the river with little foot bridges along the way. Also near the town is the beautiful Orma forest, also known as the Black Forest, due to its denseness.

Both of the international European trails E 4 and E 6 cross this area, with organized treks available that include overnight camping in beautiful campsites. Another area to the east, reachable by paved road, is in the foothills of Mt Paiko, with its 1650 meter (5412 foot) peak, accessible from the village of Elevtherohori (a climb of about three hours), with options for both easy and arduous paths.

The entire Edhessa area is very rural, with many wonderful local kinds of food and drink, including cheeses, hot dried peppers, homemade pasta, honey. Just about every outdoor sport is offered in this area, including hang gliding and paragliding, with the oldest club in Greece dedicated to these sports. Swimming, fishing, and camping are also favorite pastimes in this region, in no way to be ranked lower than clmbing, trekking, kayaking, rafting, and all the rest.

We have many resources to help you arrange any of the above activities so please contact us for more information.