LOCAL CULTURE
Dress Code
Some locals still wear the traditional Lebanese cherwal, while others adopt more cosmopolitan clothes. We recommend wearing decent cloths while visiting religious places.
Family Life
Traditionally, the Lebanese lived with a cluster of relatives in large households in one small village. Today, it is still a custom that children live with their parents until they get married, and may continue to live in the same neighbourhood.
Language
Arabic is the national language for Lebanon. French is also commonly spoken. The spoken language is a dialect called Lebanese Arabic, often combined with French. Dialects and accents vary between villages, giving each community a distinct identity.
Tipping
The usual tip for porters, waiters, guides and doormen is between 5,000 LBP and 10,000 LBP. The average in restaurants and hotels is 10-15 percent of the bill.
Weather
At Mzaar, temperatures drop to -3C to -10C in winter and rise to 25C in summer. The ski season runs from December to April. The area, also known as Jurd ('high mountain'), enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year. Temperatures at Mzaar are usually 10C less than on the Lebanese coast.
DID YOU KNOW ?
Adventure Tourism
This region is known for its adventure sports, which take place all year round. In winter, enjoy alpine skiing, skate skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. The rest of the year, guests can go mountain biking, hiking, climbing, rafting, paragliding, clay-pigeon shooting, horse riding, rappelling or take 4x4 drives to the Cedars of Lebanon and other remote mountain peaks.
Local Herbal Tea
Our Fawaz mountain tea is famous for its health benefits. It is named after a staff member who picks the leaves in spring and summer at an altitude of over 2,000m. It helps digestion, prevents colds and flu and is good for the heart. It contains 13 mountain herbs, including wild mint, thyme, camomile, rosemary and fennel. The tea should be drunk without sugar to truly appreciate its flavour.
Mzaar Chapel
At the summit of Mzaar mountain, at 2,467m, is the highest chapel in the Middle East. Built from the stone ruins of a small fortress that served in Roman times as a communication point between Baalbek Temple and the port of Byblos, it was a summertime refuge for the inhabitants of Faqra's Roman temple.
Ouyoun El Simane
'Ouyoun' means 'water source' and 'el simane' means 'the shepherds'. The village Ouyoun El Simane was so named because of its abundant ponds which attracted shepherds from the nearby villages from May to November.
The Ski Area
The resort has its own ski lift with direct access to 80km of trails linking 18 slopes. The ski season is similar in length to that of the Alps, lasting four to five months from December to April. The area is known for its good-quality snow; powdery on the surface and firm underneath. The slopes face north, which shields the snow from the sun.
WHAT TO PACK
Ski outfit for winter
In winter, pack multi-layered protective clothing and Ski outfit. In the warmer seasons, bring linen and light cotton garments. A windbreaker and hiking or running shoes are essential if you wish to take part in outdoor activities.
Currency
Lebanese pounds LBP and US $ dollars are the commonly used and accepted currencies everywhere. All currencies can be easily exchanged in banks, licensed exchange shops and at our Resort.