The atmosphere on Israel's northern border may have been tense on Monday due to the Hezbollah attack, but for many Israelis, the real action was on the slopes of Mount Hermon, which welcomed skiers for the first time this season thanks to a cold weather front over the weekend. The Hermon resort on the northern border is Israel's only ski resort. Although it is open all year, the skiing season usually lasts no more than a month or two. As of Monday, there were 1.5 feet of snow at the base of the site and about 2 feet at its higher elevations. Liron Mills, the CEO of the resort, expressed satisfaction with how things unfolded on the first day of the season. "There was no congestion on the road [leading up the mountain], and the lines were short. Everything went as planned and everyone seemed to be having a good time," Mills said. "The sun came out for a few hours and some people took off their shirts. We hope the snow stays so that people can enjoy it this coming Saturday and beyond."
The snow that fell over the weekend had the site's caretakers working around the clock to prepare for the throngs of visitors. The site was closed on Sunday due to inclement weather, but on Monday, it was packed with Israelis from almost every part of the country. Administrators said about 1,000 people, including many families with children, entered the site on Monday. The numbers will most likely rise during the coming weekend.
Let it snow: Israelis flock to Mount Hermon
Skiers and snow lovers head for Israel's only ski resort, which received almost 2 feet of snow over the weekend • Visitors unfazed by ongoing tension with Hezbollah on northern border • More visitors expected over weekend if conditions stay favorable.
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