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Baros Pass in the Heart of Greece

The grass gullies of Baros ready to go.

Baros Pass is a high mountain pass located in the Pindos Mountains of Greece. The pass straddles the border of the prefectures of Epirus to the west and Thessaly to the east. Consequently, it has been used for centuries as a transit corridor through the Pindos mountains. At an elevation of 1905m, Baros has the highest altitude of any asphalt road in Greece. In winter the pass is closed due to snow. However with ski touring equipment, it’s an easy approach from either side. The most fun can be had in April during the spring melt, when you can ski and ride long winding gullies of snow surrounded by broad grassy slopes. The river at the base of Baros Pass is an excellent option for camping, or you can stay in the nearby villages of Neraidachori, Elati or Pertouli, which offer spectacular views of the Greek Alps.

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Chortiatis, Thessaloniki

Ski touring in Thessaloniki on Chortiatis.

Mount Chortiatis or Hortiatis (Greek: Όρος Χορτιάτη, Χορτιάτης), known in Antiquity as Cissus (Ancient Greek: Κισσός) or Kissos, is a mountain in Central Macedonia, Greece. It rises southeast of Thessaloniki, peaking at 1,201 metres. The mountain’s landscape is wooded, with part of these woods making up Thessaloniki’s Seich Sou Forest National Park.

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The Magic of Pelion Ski Center

Ski touring in Pelion.

Pelion or Pelium (Modern Greek: Πήλιο, Pílio; Ancient Greek/Katharevousa: Πήλιον. Pēlion) is a mountain at the southeastern part of Thessalyin central Greece, forming a hook-like peninsula between the Pagasetic Gulf and the Aegean Sea. Its highest summit, Pourianos Stavros, is 1,624 metres (5,328 ft) amsl.[1] The Greek National Road 38 (GR-38) runs through the southern portion of the peninsula and GR-38A runs through the middle. Pelion is a heavily forested mountain that rises abruptly from the Aegean Sea. Although the summit of Pelion is low in elevation, it can receive massive snowfall when a strong north wind is in effect. As a result, the Pelion ski center stands out as one of the most unique ski areas in Europe. In addition to the unique micro climate, the Pelion ski center continues to operate a vintage single seat chairlift. Worldwide, only a handful of these lifts continue to operate.

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