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'' Mzaar Kfardebian''', better known as '''Mzaar''' ({{lang-ar|مزار}}), is a [[ski resort|ski area]] in [[Lebanon]]. The largest ski resort in the [[Middle East]], <ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.skimzaar.com/ | title=Ski Mzaar official site | date=January 7, 2012}}</ref> and is also referred to as '''Ouyoune el Simane''' or '''Aayoun Al Simane''', after the small village near the base of the resort. <ref>{{cite news| url=http://adventures.bootsnall.com/articles/06-09/skiing-in-lebanon.html | work=BootsnAll World Adventures | title=Skiing in Lebanon | date=January 7, 2012}}</ref> |
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[[File:faraya.jpg|thumb|Faraya, Mount Lebanon]] |
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==History== |
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'' Mzaar kfardebian''' was founded in the late 1950s by Cheikh Salim El Khazen who built the Faraya-Mzaar hotel and the Jabal Dib chair lift initially known as "Le Telesiege". Simultaneously, a group of pioneers, including Sami Jammal, Robert Nassif, Dr Georges Zebouni and Pr. [[Emile Riachi]], started the development of the ski resort, building the very first ski lifts, |
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The group started building the first residential "Chalets" designed by architect Raoul Vernet kicking off a period of undiscontinued real estate development in the whole area. |
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For over two decades, "mzaar kfardebian Tourisme et Sport d'Hiver S.A.L.", the company founded by Cheikh Salim, was chaired by banker Joseph Abdo Khoury. In the early 1980s, the Saudi-Lebanese al-Mabani Group led by Fouad Rizk and Nehme Tohme acquired the majority of its shares and took over the development of the resort. |
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==Skiing Area== |
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The ski resort has 42 slopes and 80 kilometres of groomed tracks{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}. The summit of the resort, at 8,130 feet, is called Dome du Mzaar and marked by a metal cross. The views from the summit are said to rival those at any of the world’s top ski resorts. <ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/snow_falling_on_cedars_1_632913 | work=scotsman.com | title=Snow falling on Cedars | date=December 14, 2002}}</ref> |
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Skiing ranges between heights of 1310m at kfardebian, 1850m (Ouyoune el Simaan) to 2465m on the peak above Mzaar. |
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From the top of Mzaar, there is a view over the Bekaa valley, Mount Hermon of the Anti-Lebanon and other peaks like Zaarour, Laqlouq and the Cedars. Coastal towns and the capital Beirut can be seen on clear days. |
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The peaks of the Mzaar kfardebian mountain range vary between heights of 1913 and 2465 meters{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}. The tallest peak, Mzaar, as well as the Jabal Dib and Warde peaks, offer challenges for the experienced skier or snowboarder. Three other peaks are well suited for beginners, and even more are adapted to skier of intermediate level. In addition, there are a number of [[cross-country skiing|cross-country]] trails. |
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The skiing season in Lebanon is similar in length to that of the Alps stretching over a period of 4 months{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}. To increase tourism, Mzaar has used night skiing, ski shows, competitions and fashion shows, including G-string models, to promote the resort. <ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6307 | work=Agence France- Presse | title=G-STRING MODELS PROMOTE LEBANON SKI RESORTS | date=March 23, 2007}}</ref> |
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==Natural and Historical Sites== |
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Situated at an elevation of 1550m at the feet of Mzaar, Faqra has monuments which included: temples, columns, altars and rock cut tombs. The temple of Faqra is partly cut out of the living rock. |
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On the way to the ruins of Faqra, one can see a bridge called "Jisr al-Hajar" or the "Stone Bridge" with an arch measuring thirty eight meters. |
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==Ski Clubs== |
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Mzaar is home to some of the Lebanese Ski Clubs, affiliated to the "Federation Libanaise de Ski (FLS)" (note:ski clubs are non profit organization): |
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* Mzaar kfardebian Ski Club (Club des Sports), President: Christian Rizk |
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* kfardebianSporting Club, President: Jean Riachi |
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* Al Oussoud, President: Mahboub Salameh |
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==See also== |
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*[[List of ski areas and resorts in Asia]] |
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*[[Skiing]] |
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== References == |
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<references/> |
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==Sources== |
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{{Nofootnotes|date=September 2008}} |
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*http://www.faraya-mzaar.com |
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*http://www.ikamalebanon.com/resorts/winter/mount/cities/faraya.htmm |
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*http://www.skimzaar.com/ |
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*http://www.skileb.com/ |
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*http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/196601/ski.lebanon..htm |
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*http://www.skimzaar.com/faraya-mzaar/ski-resort/history-skiing.asp |
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*http://www.skimzaar.com/faraya-mzaar/ski-resort/mzaar-evolution.asp |
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*http://www.skileb.com/lebanese-ski-federation/lebanese-ski-clubs/lebskifed.com/profile.asp?ttl=Profile&ttl2=History |
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*http://www.skimzaar.com |
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*http://www.ikamalebanon.com/national_heritage/mount_nh/mt_cities_nh/faqra.htm |
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{{coord|34|00|39.90|N|35|49|29.38|E|type:city_source:frwiki|display=title}} |
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[[Category:Geography of Lebanon]] |
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[[Category:Ski areas and resorts in Lebanon]] |
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[[Category:Sport in Lebanon]] |
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[[fr:Faraya Mzaar Kfardebian]] |
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