Following a significant weather system that passed over Israel in the past two days and brought heavy snowfall, the Mount Hermon site will open Thursday to visitors only, without skiing, officials said. About 40 centimeters of snow were measured at the lower level and about 70 centimeters at the upper level. The temperature at the lower-level stands at minus 4 degrees Celsius, and skies have begun to clear.
Site crews arrived in the area Thursday morning and began snow removal, clearing access roads and preparing the site to receive the large number of visitors expected over the weekend. Entry to the Mount Hermon site will be permitted by advance reservation and ticket purchase only. Ticket sales for Thursday and beyond are already open on the Mount Hermon website. On site, automated ticket machines are also operating for the cable car and attractions, subject to capacity limits and weather conditions.
Mount Hermon site, Wednesday
(Video: Mount Hermon site)
Facilities operating depending on weather conditions include the visitors cable car, extreme sleds, a virtual reality SkyRider attraction and a snow sledding complex, which will operate at the upper level only.
Admission prices at the Mount Hermon site are as follows:
Admission only: 40 shekels for children ages 3–12 and 45 shekels for adults ages 12 and older.
Admission plus cable car: 96 shekels.
Admission plus cable car and one attraction: 130 shekels.
The site will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vehicle entry will be permitted until 3 p.m. The last ascent on the cable car will be at 3:20 p.m., and the final operation of other attractions will be at 3:30 p.m.
How much does a snowy weekend cost?
We checked current lodging prices near the Mount Hermon site for a family of four — two adults and two children under age 12 — for Thursday or the coming weekend.
It should be noted that many accommodations already have very limited availability for Thursday and the upcoming weekend. Where rooms are available, they are usually the last room or, at most, the final two.
At Kibbutz Kfar Giladi’s hotel, no rooms were available for Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Availability resumes only from Jan. 18. Prices start at 3,110 shekels for two nights, room only; 3,606 shekels for two nights including a Galilee-style breakfast; or 3,796 shekels for two nights on a half-board basis.
At Kibbutz Merom Golan, no rooms are available for Thursday or the coming weekend. Availability was found only from Jan. 18 onward, with prices starting at 1,644 shekels per night for a studio room including breakfast for a couple and two children under 12, or from 1,836 shekels per night for a basalt cabin.
The Hunters Lodge in Neve Ativ is offering accommodations starting at 1,867 shekels per night, room only, or from 1,902 shekels per night for a room with a Jacuzzi. As of ynet’s check, only one room remained available.
At the Jacobs Neve Ativ Hotel, formerly known as Panda, the last two-family duplex cabin rooms remain available at 4,104 shekels per night, including breakfast. In addition, one final duplex cabin with a Jacuzzi is available at 4,689 shekels per night, including breakfast. Prices are correct as of ynet’s review.
At bed-and-breakfast cabins in Neve Ativ, prices range from 800 to 900 shekels per night for a couple. Breakfast availability depends on the specific cabin. For inquiries about available cabins, visitors can contact Neve Ativ Tourism at 054-234-4193.
At the El-Rom Boutique hotel, prices start at 1,681 shekels per night, including breakfast, for a couple and two children under age 12 in an Alon room. Klil rooms with a garden-facing balcony are offered at 1,871 shekels per night on a bed-and-breakfast basis.
At Ortal Rural Hospitality, a family studio-plus room is available from 1,105 shekels per night, including bed and breakfast, or an urban guest room from 1,235 shekels per night, including breakfast.
Guests staying at Ortal Glamping receive complimentary admission tickets to the Mount Hermon site when booking two nights. Rates for bed and breakfast start at 918 shekels for an “Adama” unit for a couple and two children, or 1,406 shekels for an “Ofek” unit.
The Hagoshrim Hotel in Nature is offering family winter packages in January and February that include the first child staying free in the parents’ room, along with one complimentary attraction of choice: one admission ticket per guest to the Mount Hermon site, a bicycle tour (by prior arrangement) or entry to the climbing complex in Kiryat Shmona (by prior arrangement). On Jan. 15–16 (Thursday–Friday or over the weekend), the price for a couple and two children starts at 2,261 shekels for one night with bed and breakfast, depending on room type, or from 2,736 shekels for one night on a half-board basis.
The Nofei Gonen resort village is offering an apartment for a couple and two children starting at 1,200 shekels on a bed-and-breakfast basis, or 1,600 shekels. Prices reflect a 25% discount under the Hotel Association’s early booking promotion, valid through the end of the offer.
At Kfar Blum Hotel, a minimum two-night stay is required. Prices for a Classic room for a couple and two children under age 12 start at 3,055 shekels on a room-only basis, or 4,330 shekels with half board.
The Galilion Hotel is offering a Deluxe family room starting at 2,625 shekels with bed and breakfast, or 3,579 shekels on a half-board basis.
The Jordan Valley Estate Hotel offers accommodations starting at 1,534 shekels per night in a Superior room with bed and breakfast, or from 1,953 shekels per night with half board, depending on room type.