Mount Kyllini, commonly referred to as Ziria, is the second highest summit of the Peloponnisos. Is is the closest alpine peak to Athens, only one and a half hours by car. The ancient Greeks believed that the Olympian god Hermes was born in a cave near the base of the mountain. In fact, in ancient times, a temple dedicated to the god was built on the summit. Ziria was also the birthplace of the seven Pleiades, daughters of the Titan god Atlas. After their birth, the sisters moved up into the heavens, where they formed the constellation of stars that bears their name. The mountain today has a small ski center on the lower slopes, next to the cave of Hermes. The basic infrastructure in place for the ski center makes Ziria an ideal destination for quick day trips from Athens, for mountain enthusiasts of all ability levels.
Frozen Ambrosia Map
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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.
To watch the full winter adventure in Greece, check out the feature film Frozen Ambrosia.
