Ski Touring Crete

The Best "Spring Skiing in Crete"

Skiing for Cretans is a new inspiration !!
Crete in our minds is a summer destination; it is the beaches, but it is also an island with large mountains, picturesque villages perched on the slopes of Psiloritis, the White Mountains and Dikti, and an excellent mountaineering destination. Crete boasts three mountains that exceed 2,000 metres, namely Psiloritis with its highest peak, Timios Stavros, at 2,456 metres, the White Mountains with the peak Pachnes at 2,454 metres and Dikti with the peak Spathi at 2,148 metres.

The island has a long history of mountaineering,  and there are mountaineering clubs all over Crete. However, ski mountaineering was almost unknown, it remained a little secret among mountaineering fanatics. The Greek island has no lifts, no lodges, no trail maps. But for those willing to climb for their turns, it’s got miles of wide-open terrain, dependable spring snow and no crowds.

“Skiing itself is an ancient way of travelling over snow,” and contemporary skis are just one type of construction for doing so,  in the film, showing one ancient method of making skis that involved mats of woven fibres secured to wood.  Strange as it may seem, the ski field of Crete is not small, while the snow season is long – it usually lasts until April, but can sometimes stretch into early June. This makes it an ideal destination for spring skiing, while it can easily be combined with walks on the beach.

So, for those who love skiing and mountaineering, put another pin on your map and climb Psiloritis, where you can ski with your eyes fixed on the blue of the Cretan sea. The most famous piste is the one that descends from the top of Timios Stavros to the Migeros Pit. The routes that start from the Toumbotos Prinos refuge and Stolistra peak are also good options

You can also try your hand at slalom in the White Mountains, although it is recommended that you are accompanied by a guide as the mountain is difficult and you can easily get lost. Consider that it has over 50 peaks that exceed 2,000 m. Dikti in Lasithi is also a nice option, but the snow does not last long. Note that in the villages of Livadia and Anogia in Rethymno, there are ski equipment rental shops 

Just imagine skiing the slopes of Ida in the morning and then having coffee in the afternoon at the old Venetian port of Rethymno; tasting excellent cheese, honey and wine at Livadia at an altitude of 600 metres; or walking around the old village of Garazo with its cobbled streets, stone houses and the old Turkish prison; or wandering the narrow streets of Margarites village with its Venetian charm, or Anogia, perhaps the most famous village of Rethymno with its exuberant traditional style and authentic Cretan cuisine.

And if you’re still not tired, on the way back you can stop for a swim at one of the island’s amazing beaches.

https://www.travel.gr/en/experiences-ee/spring-skiing-in-the-mountains-of-crete-a-unique-experience-overlooking-the-cretan-sea/