Our centre includes 17 downhill ski runs, 8 alpine trails, 2 main communication routes with the lower stations, 6 connecting footpaths and 2 mini runs for beginners with a baby lift, totalling 30 km in length, and beginning at the altitude of 1640m going up to 2260m. Individual ski run lengths range between 320m and 3,5km, offering a variety of degrees of difficulty for all levels, while for adventure lovers seeking an adrenaline boost, there are a number of off-piste black runs with deep snow. Two of the ski runs at our centre, No 6 Iniohos and No 2 Vakhos, have been certified by the International Ski Federation (F.I.S. Homologation) for the organization of international competitions.

PARNASSOS Dynamic zoom | Static Picture

SAFETY ON THE SKI SLOPES
SIGNS AND WARNING NOTICES

Our ski centre occupies only part of the huge mountain mass of Parnassos with the highest peak called Liakoura, at 2.459m. Our ski runs also reach a high altitude of 2260m, close to which there are sharp rocky cliffs, dangerous for falls and avalanches. In general, here one encounters more adverse weather conditions than what lower down, denser fog, stronger winds and lower temperatures. This is the reason why you must never overlook the warning and restrictive signs that are placed at crucial points which warn of the danger close by (cliff, avalanche) and above all do not enter a ski run, a trail or route with a "closed" sign. Always consult the orientation signs and never attempt a descent in unknown territory, especially in the instance of thick fog.

SKI RUN CLOSED AVALANCHE HAZARD WARNING! CLIFF! DANGER OF FALL  ATTENTION GENERAL DANGER

As of this year, sign posting of our ski runs is undergoing a gradual upgrading with new signs being placed, initially at the start of the ski runs and at the most crucial points, which specify the number, the name, the direction and the level of ability (Green= very easy, Blue= easy, Red= intermediate, Black= difficult and Yellow for the alpine routes). However, for some time still, the dual coloured plastic balloons depicting the boundaries will remain, with the green side showing the safe, organized area and the red side showing the non-safe, uncontrolled mountain area. In order to maximize safety, where it is possible at the most crucial points, an additional restrictive rope has been placed between the balloons, to alert people of the danger.

The learners' ski runs with the baby lift at both Kelaria and Fterolakka are considered as green runs, whereas real black ski runs do not exist at our centre. Ski trails, according to international regulations, are available without any obligation on the centre's part to control them or groom their surface (powder snow), but they do remain safe from mountain hazards. Only advanced skiers and snowboarders with great experience in a high degree of slope steepness and powder snow should attempt to descend these. However, weather permitting, our centre always grooms and controls the runs which are accessible and popular, such as No 22 Sahara and No 24 Peripheral. In terms of degree of difficulty with respect to steepness, Sahara is classified as black and the Peripheral as red.

GREEN: Very easy

BLUE: Easy

RED: Intermediate

BLACK: Difficult

YELLOW: Ski route

For your own safety and to avoid any accident or disorientation, always consult the orientation signs, follow the ski run signs and always remain on the green side of the balloons, the secure area of our centre, especially when visibility is limited. Never cross protective nets or boundary ropes. Please note, that outside the boundaries of ski runs, our centre provides rescue services but bares no responsibility in the instance of an accident.

WARNING: Ιn-bounds of Parnassus Ski Area, any outdoor activity (eg mountaineering, paragliding, mountain biking, 4WDing, ATVs, speed-flying, snowmobiles etc), rather than snowsports = skiing, snowboarding and sledging, is highly prohibited!

Finally, you should ski and snowboard with respect towards the environment and not attempt a descent in powder snow on the forest slopes of Fterolakka, where your skis or snowboard may break the tips of young fir trees and hamper their development. To prevent this from happening, the centre as of this year, has installed appropriate signs indicating the crucial areas. Furthermore, in the name of safety for all our visitors, the use of snowmobiles is prohibited in all areas of our ski centre.

GROOMING OF SKI RUNS

Ski runs create the image of a ski centre and that is why our goal is to groom the runs as best possible so as carving lovers and snowboarders will enjoy on each day, well groomed runs with smooth, dense snow. Proper daily grooming results in overlapping, homogenous, hardened snow layers, creating greater resistance to use and temperature changes, prolonging in this way the skiing or snowboarding season. However, one should know that due to the high altitude and the specific location of Mount Parnassos between two sea gulfs, there are intense fluctuations in weather phenomena (strong winds, thick fog, snowstorms, humidity and freezing) which unfortunately do not always permit the best grooming of the ski runs.

Parnassos ski centre possesses 5 main grooming machines (one of which is new and specializes in steep slopes) and 3 auxiliary ones which are put into operation daily at appropriate times to ensure the best possible preparation of our ski runs. Usually the grooming machines are operated after the closing time of the lifts and once all visitors have departed; however, when there is continuous snowfall or a mechanical problem with a lift or in the instance of an emergency rescue, then the machines may move around with care even during the centre's opening hours.

Specifically:

In clear weather: Grooming takes place as scheduled during late evening hours when clear weather is predicted from the afternoon hours to next day's opening time. In this way, if the night is clear and cold, the visitor can expect perfect surface conditions on the following day on a safe, smooth, hard pack ski run.
If winds crop up during the early morning hours or a short sudden snowfall takes place, it is possible there may be wind blown pockets on the ski runs or the runs may have a thin fresh layer of snow. However, further grooming of the runs is not recommended as this would affect the solid under-layer and would soften the surface from the morning hours and for the rest of the day, something that would increase the possibility of injury. When the good weather lingers on for days and the temperature remains low, then only the most popular ski run are re-groomed in order to avoid affecting further the solid, untouched compact snow layers. In this instance it is also difficult to flatten the bumps completely, as very hard snow does not allow for fine grooming and so the result is a less smooth surface.

In snowfall: When it is snowing during the night, the machines are on call to work on the slopes at the first clearing of the weather or if the snowfall continues, they head out at 4am so as to achieve an acceptable result at the beginning of the new day. However, it is possible that the surface remains soft, as it is difficult for the light fresh snow to fuse well with the old existing snow. If the snowfall continues during the grooming of the runs, then it is possible that the surface be covered by a light layer of new over snow giving the impression of powder snow. In reality though, this does not obstruct skiers' or snowboarders' movements. In the instance the snowfall is accompanied by strong winds, then, even within a few minutes after the last grooming, it is possible that wind blown pockets are formed on the runs giving the impression the surface has not been properly groomed. Although caution should be taken, they do not pose any real hindrance in the flow of movements of skiers and snowboarders.

In continuous snowfall during the day: If the snowfall during the day begins to create problems with the skiers' or snowboarders' movements, then the grooming machines are put into operation, taking all necessary safety precautions. The grooming machines are guided by the security team, once the areas in need of grooming are partially or entirely blocked off.

RESCUE SERVICE

Expert pisteurs make up the patrolling team who ensure on a daily basis that the ski runs are operated safely, that slope circulation regulations are observed, that accidents and generally any rescue calls anywhere at the ski centre are attended to. The pisteurs check only the ski runs that are open, whereas the Sahara and the peripheral trail (when these are open) are patrolled every one hour. The last check of the ski runs takes place following lift closure, so it is important that you abide by the opening hours of the centre. All accident victims are transported with safety to any of the three organized medical stations within our centre (Kelaria 1750, Kelaria 1950 and Fterolakka), where specialized medical professionals are present. The rescue team is responsible for the transportation of injury victims, but it is also trained and equipped to perform rescue operations regarding avalanches, cliff falls, disorientation and evacuation from air lifts.

It is every visitor's obligation to comply with the pisteurs' instructions -failure to do so is a serious wrongdoing- in order to ensure the safe operation of the ski runs and avoid unnecessary injuries. When on the ski runs, you must observe the 10 rules of conduct of the International Ski Federation F.I.S. In the instance of an accident, you must inform a pisteur as soon as possible, or alert someone at the closest lift station or the medical centre or call 22340-22700 immediately.

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Slab avalanche at the 3rd couloir of Dias (February 2005)	Slab avalanche at the 1st couloir of Iraklis (January 2006)

Off-piste skiers and snowboarders should be extremely careful at the following points:

1. All couloirs on the left of Iraklis lift towards the peripheral route
2. The grand couloir behind the tow lift Odysseas towards the peripheral route
3. All couloirs north of the tow lift Dias towards the peripheral route
4. The rocky chimneys overhanging above the tow lift No14.

In order to locate avalanche victims, we use tracking devices (electronic transceivers-avalanche beacons) at 457KHz. We remind you that off-piste skiing is done solely under your own responsibility and by ignoring the warning and prohibiting signs you risk your life and the life of other fellow skiers and snowboarders.

We wish you happy skiing and snowboarding but always with safety.