Skiing and Snowboarding on Mount Athos
The idea of skiing and snowboarding on Mount Athos was one we had been dreaming about for years. However, we were not sure however if it would ever be possible. Athos has been a holy Christian sanctuary for over 1000 years. It is therefore not a place one travels to indiscriminately. Because most people regard skiing and snowboarding as frivolous, we expected a negative reception.
No one to date has ever skied or snowboarded from the summit of Athos, however we were granted permission. In February 2017, we made our winter pilgrimage to Agion Oros, the Holy Mountain, and completed the first ever winter descent from the summit. Check out the video to see some footage of skiing and snowboarding on Mount Athos.
Filmed on February 17-18, 2017 using a Canon 5D MIII and a DJI Mavic Pro. Featuring the skiing of George Klaoudatos, Yannis Kotileas, Socratis Bounovas, Dimitris Pantelias, George Armogenis, Constantine Papanicolaou and Alexandros Tsilogeorgis.
Winter in Greece
One of the most surprising things about Greece is how close the mountains are to the major cities. Three quarters of the county lives within a 2 hour drive of world class backcountry ski touring. Due to the recent break-though in ultra lightweight gear, Greece has become a world-class destination for ski touring and split-boarding.
Greece is a place that inspires the human soul. Certainly, for skiers and snowboarders, to visit the same mountains that you learned about as a child is an experience that is completely unique. Imagine spending the night on Mt Olympos, waking up to the sunrise across the Aegean sea, then skiing run right next to the Throne of Zeus. It’s magic! It’s an experience you won’t find anywhere else on the planet.
Feature Film
To watch the full winter adventure in Greece, check out the feature film Frozen Ambrosia.
