Bsharri / Cedars
Altitude: 1850m
Distance from Beirut: 130km
Getting there: Take the autostrade to Shekka, south of Tripoli, and then turn up towards Amioun. From there the road passes along the side of the Kadisha Gorge through Kousba, Tourza, Hadet, Hasroun, Bazaoun and Bsharri. The journey from Beirut takes 2 1/2 hours.
Al-ARZ (The Cedars), named after the ancient unique trees which form a forest in the heart of the village. Hundreds of young Cedar trees have been planted around the area during the last 30 years, but since they only grow at a rate of 1 cm every year, it will be many generations before these saplings reach the impressive size of those in the forest. In addition to the Cedar forest, there are a number of sites of interest in the area. The town of Bsharri is best known as the birhtplace and resting place of Gibran Khalil Gibran, Lebanon's most famous mystic poet, artist and novelist. The Gibran Museum, is a converted monastry, houses his paintings, drawings, and personal effects, as well as his casket. The town also has three churches and a waterfall.
The resort of the Cedars had its first ski lift installed by the government in 1953. The high altitude of Al-Arz means that it generally has a slightly longer season than the other resorts, sometimes beginning as early as November, and often lasting until mid or late April. The number of skiers on the slopes at weekends often reaches between two and three thousand. A number of national and international competitions are being planned every season.
Since it is a fair distance from Beirut, the resort is well provided with excellent hotels, there are also about 300 chalets available for rental. The main pistes are equipped with four lifts, one of which is lit at night. There are great opportunities for cross-skiing, and snowboarding. There are also ski schools as well as creche facilities where activities are arranged at the Kid's Club for children aged between five and twelve years.
Hotels in BSHARRI
| Hotels | Category | Telephone | Rooms | Beds |
|---|
| Alpine | ***A | | 19 | 34 |
| Chbat | ***A | | 40 | 85 |
| Cortina | **B | | 30 | 50 |
| L'Aiglon | - | | 8 | 13 |
| Mon Refuge | **** | | 9 & 5 Chalets | 60 |
| Palace | ***A | | 24 | 40 |
| Rahmeh | **B | | 30 | 62 |
| Rancho Grandi | **A | | 55 | 107 |
| Saint Bernard | ****B | | 25 | 55 |
| Restaurants
in Al-Arz | Type |
Location |
|---|
| Alpine Hotel | Restaurant | At Slopes |
| Cortina Hotel | Restaurant | Main Road |
| Disco Plaza | Restaurant/ Night Club | Telefrique Sq. |
| L'Equipe | Snack & Restaurant | at slopes |
| Mon Refuge | French Restaurant | Main Road |
| St. Bernard Hotel | Restaurant | Yamle St. |
| Tony Arida | Restaurant | Main Road |
| La Cabane | Restaurant/ Take away | Telefrique Sq. |
| Le Pichet Des Cedres | Restaurant | Main road |
| L'Equipe | Restaurant / Cafeteria | Telefrique Sq. |
NIGHTCLUBS AND PUBS
There are five night clubs in Al-Arz: Tony Arida, L'Isba, Triolet, La Caverne and La Cheminee. There is also one pub, Porky's.
SLOPES
opens 8:30a.m. till 4:00p.m. daily
Ski Pass Cost per day
| - | Weekdays |
Weekends |
|---|
| Full day | $12.00 | $15.00 per day |
| Half day(after 1:00p.m.) | $8.00 | $10.00 per day |
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