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It’s almost a cliché to say that “Greece is full of surprises.” But, having welcomed guests here for years, every single one of them is left stunned when I tell them how fantastic winter in Greece is. Many people do not know that it is possible to go skiing in Greece.
In a country so famed for its beaches, resorts and scorching summers, very few people imagine snow-capped mountains or ski resorts. However, when the coastal towns are virtually deserted in winter, the mountainous interior of Greece comes alive.
Naturally, mainland Greece has the highest mountains, although read to the end for an honorary mention of where to go skiing – believe it or not – on one of the Greek islands.
Why Spend Winter in Greece?
Whereas the more popular slopes on the Alps can be eye-wateringly expensive, skiing in Greece is excellent value for money, with day passes to Greek ski resorts often costing between €20 and €40. Moreover, comfortable accommodation in Greece’s ski villages can cost a fraction of their central European equivalents.
But also, the colder months are about more than just skiing. Imagine thick, stone-walled tavernas, roaring fires and plenty of warm, honey-sweetened raki (known locally as rakomelo).
One of the pure joys of winter in Greece is indulging in a warm meal at an inviting taverna as night falls. As spectacular places in their own right, the mountain villages in winter help to make Greece a truly year-round destination.
Best Destinations for Winter in Greece
1. Mt Parnassus
If visiting Greece in winter on a tight schedule (for example, if following our one-week itinerary), skiing at Mt Parnassus is a fantastic choice. At an impressive altitude of 2,260 meters, snow is pretty much guaranteed throughout the winter months.
And just to sweeten the deal, Parnassus is incredibly easy to get to. Parnassus’s ski center is within three hours’ drive from Athens, ideal for a weekend getaway.
Best place to stay: Arachova
Dubbed the “Mykonos of the mountains,” the main action away from the slopes takes place in the pretty resort of Arachova. It’s probably too large to be comfortably called a “village,” but irrespective of how it’s labelled, Arachova becomes quite lively in the winter. You can still get some R&R at one of the many inviting hotels, like the highly recommended Aegli Arachova.
Be sure to factor in some time to visit ancient Delphi, just 20 minutes’ drive along the valley. Committed to legend as the home of the Oracle, it is one of Greece’s absolutely unmissable archaeological sites. Delphi is equally as memorable for its incredible mountain setting, although snow here is rare since it is below the high peaks.
2. Kalavryta
Kalavryta (sometimes spelled Kalavrita) is another town which is quite famous for those who know about skiing in Greece, but is fairly unknown to most foreigners.
Also accessible within three hours from Athens, Kalavryta is notably more laidback than Arachova and boasts a much more down-to-earth vibe. Kalavryta Ski Center, a short distance further uphill from the main town, offers very affordable day passes. One day’s access to the slopes currently costs €30 in peak winter season.
Other highlights of Kalavryta
If spending winter in Greece, at Kalavryta you can combine skiing with hiking (as with the route we recommended here). While you’re there, consider a trip on the quaint single-track gorge railway.
Kalavryta is also known for the near-total massacre of the town’s male population, enacted by the occupying Axis forces there in 1943. The town’s museum and mountainside memorial stand as sobering monuments to these tragic events.
3. Metsovo
Heading now to the north of Greece, the mountains around Metsovo are truly stunning. The Ski Center just above the town has slopes suitable for all levels, with instruction courses available for beginners or intermediate skiers.
The town of Metsovo itself is unbelievably picturesque. With its tree-fringed square, slate-tiled tavernas and variety of shops selling local produce (you have to try pine honey, ‘Metsovone’ cheese, and local wine), Metsovo might just be one of the most charming towns to experience winter in Greece.
Keep an eye out for the bear sculptures on the lawn just behind the square, a reminder of the wild nature in north Greece.
In recent years, Metsovo has become a lot more accessible than it used to be (the drive along Highway 2 through the mountains is magnificent in itself). The nearest airport served by international flights is Thessaloniki, although flying into Ioannina could be better if coming from Athens.
You will almost certainly need to hire a car to combine Metsovo with some other highlights of the mountainous Epirus region.
4. Mount Pelion
Overlooked by most foreign tourists, the Pelion peninsula is one of Greece’s most picturesque regions throughout the year (and that’s really saying something for a country so rich in natural beauty). If you’re going skiing in Greece, the Pelion Ski Center and the surrounding villages are worth a visit.
What makes a visit to Mount Pelion truly unique is the panoramic sea views as you glide over the mountain snow beneath your skis. Thanks to the peninsula’s dramatic topography (and the hair-raising roads leading up to it), it’s hard to think of many other ski resorts where you can admire the sea from the slopes.
For the best chance of good snow, be sure to visit Pelion Ski Center in the absolute coldest months of January or February.
Other highlights of Pelion
The mountain villages scattered around Pelion have historically been very difficult to access, strengthening their adherence to traditional culture and cuisine.
Make sure you visit the lovely villages of Makrinitsa and Portaria on your way up the slopes, and explore Zagora, Kissos and Tsagkarada on the rugged eastern slopes of the peninsula.
5. Elathochori (Mount Olympus)
If you’re visiting Thessaloniki in the winter, one of the most convenient places to head to the slopes is at Elathochori (sometimes written as Elatochori), on the northern slopes of Mount Olympus.
The famous Mount Olympus is Greece’s tallest mountain, steeped in legend and covered in winter snow. Although winter hiking on the 2,917-meter Mount Olympus is only for the most serious mountaineers, the Ski Center at 1,400 m offers some fantastic skiing.
Access to the slopes here is super affordable – a day pass starts from just €12 for an individual, or €25 for a family of three. It’s hard to think of many other places in Europe’s more famous ski destinations with such great value for money.
6. Skiing on Crete: Mount Ida – Pierra Creta ski event
As if your concept of Greece hadn’t been challenged enough already, off-piste skiing is also possible on the largest Greek island – Crete.
This is solely for the most experienced of skiers, but if you’re equipped for the challenge, you can join the ski mountaineering event, Pierra Creta. The group organizes expeditions on the snowy slopes of Crete every two years. As such, Pierra Creta is Europe’s southernmost ski event and is often considered one of the most prestigious ski mountaineering events in the world.
The Best Winter Mountain Resort in Crete
If you’d prefer to enjoy winter in Crete without the extreme ski mountaineering, consider a visit to the lovely Delina Mountain Resort. This spectacular hotel is located less than one hour’s drive from Heraklion.
As it is below the mountain peaks, there may not be guaranteed year-round snow. However, its views of the snow-capped mountains as you warm up in the resort’s spa add to the surprising winter environment on Crete.
After your winter in Greece, you will leave with a newfound respect for the year-round appeal of this spectacular country.
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