Cyprus is an excellent choice for holidays during the UK winter season.

Ski in the Morning - Swim in the afternoon!

Cyprus is an island of extremes. During the winter months you can bask in 70°F heat on the coast in the morning and go skiing in the snowfields of the Troodos Mountains in the afternoon! It is a magical island that is truly full of surprises.

Snow falls in the Troodos Mountains from mid-December through to the end of March courtesy of the infrequent winter storms that pass over the island. At an altitude of above 4500ft the snow accumulates, especially on north facing slopes. Mount Olympus (altitude 6402ft) has a cap of snow on it for three or four months of the year, and is where the Troodos Skiing Resort is based. Cyprus is an excellent choice for holidays during the UK winter season.

The Troodos Skiing Resort is the focus for skiing on the island. It is situated in a col between Mount Olympus and one of the other peaks in the Troodos range. Alpine skiing and cross country trails can be enjoyed by skiers at the resort. There are four slopes - two on the North Face of Mount Olympus and two in Sun Valley. Each has a t-bar lift system and equipment rental station.

All levels of skiing ability are catered for on the slopes. The Hera Lift on the North Face and Aphrodite Lift at Sun Valley are more suitable for beginners. Intermediate skiers will feel right at home on the Hermes slope in Sun Valley, while advanced skiers will enjoy the Zeus run located on the North Face of Mount Olympus.

The best time to book a skiing trip to Cyprus is in February and March. Normally there is sufficient powdery snow depth in the mountains by this time. By the end of March the stronger sunshine has started to transform the powder to corn snow, signalling the end of the ski season.

Troodos resort counts 4 ski lifts with Zeus lift reaching the highest point of the island, culminating at 1951 meters (6400 feet). Two lifts are for beginners, one is for intermediate skiers and one for advanced.

Snow falls in the Troodos Mountains from mid-December through to the end of March courtesy of the infrequent winter storms that pass over the island. At an altitude of above 4500ft the snow accumulates, especially on north facing slopes. Mount Olympus (altitude 6402ft) has a cap of snow on it for three or four months of the year, and is where the Troodos Skiing Resort is based.