Let it snow!

Lebanon has a longstanding reputation as the top winter sports destination in the region. With four major ski resorts in the country, each offering a unique experience, it is easy for both local and foreign winter activities enthusiasts to find what suits their tastes. The ghost of winter 2013–2014  With such a reputation to uphold, it is no wonder that last year’s dry winter — which saw only 219 millimeters of rainfall from the beginning of the year until the end of March, 72 percent less than the yearly average for Beirut — came as a surprise to the country’s ski operators. “We carried out all the preseason preparations such as running maintenance checks on our ski equipment, buying the mazout [heavy fuel oil] for our generators and hiring the seasons’ employees; we didn’t expect it would be such a dry year … it was really exceptional and a financial loss for us,”