Thousands of visitors streamed to Mount Hermon over the weekend to enjoy the first significant snowfall of the winter season, braving long traffic jams to reach the site and play in the snow, build snowmen and ride sleds. By Sunday morning, conditions were calmer, with fewer crowds — and light snowflakes even surprising visitors at the lower level of the mountain.
“This is incredibly moving, seeing people return to Mount Hermon and enjoy the north again after two very long and complex years of war,” said Mickey Inbar, deputy CEO of the site.
Mout Hermon over the weekend
(Video: Karin Timor)
She said snowfall continued overnight in the upper area of the mountain, where more than 60 centimeters (about 24 inches) of snow has accumulated. At the lower level, about 30 centimeters (12 inches) were measured — still short of what is needed to open ski runs.
“We can only open for skiing once there is at least half a meter of snow at the lower level,” Inbar said. “We’re hoping we’ll get that soon.”
Despite repeated warnings, some visitors arrived over the weekend without advance reservations, which are required because of capacity limits at the site. Those without tickets were turned away.
“We’re still encountering this issue, and it causes a lot of disappointment for people we have to send back, and it’s unfair to those who waited and booked in advance,” Inbar said.
Among the visitors were members of the Timor family from Be’er Yaakov. Karin and Roy Timor arrived with their four children early Thursday morning and reached the lower parking area within 10 minutes.
“A friend of mine arrived at 7:30 a.m. yesterday but didn’t reach the lower parking lot until 10:30,” Karin Timor said. “She also waited two hours just for the alpine coaster.”
The family’s last visit to Mount Hermon was six years ago.
“It’s so exciting to come back and see so much snow,” Timor said. “We went up to the upper level, sat in the cafeteria overlooking the amazing view, and spent about eight hours enjoying the snow and the attractions.”
She advised visitors to head first to popular attractions such as snow sledding upon arrival, before taking the cable car up the mountain to play in the snow. “The later it gets, the longer the lines,” she said, adding that midweek visits are preferable when possible.
The snow-covered slopes are seen as a major boost for the struggling northern tourism sector after two especially difficult years. Visitors traveling to Mount Hermon are also stopping at restaurants in nearby Druze villages and surrounding communities, injecting much-needed business into the local economy, including nearby towns.
“We’re very happy to be the engine pulling the train for the north,” Inbar said. “We’re calling on visitors to stay, vacation and sleep here.”
While long traffic delays frustrated many weekend travelers, Inbar said the congestion was, in its own way, a welcome sight.
“During the war, I said I was waiting for the day I’d be interviewed about traffic jams on the way to Mount Hermon,” she said. “We missed the visitors so much. We feel we have a very meaningful role in the recovery of the north.”