Crete in our minds is a summer destination; it is the beaches – Fragokastello, Elafonisi, Falassarna, Finikodasos, Preveli, Agiofarago and countless others –, the sun, the wonderful seaside villages, the flavours.
But it is also an island with large mountains, picturesque villages perched on the slopes of Psiloritis, the White Mountains and Dikti, and an excellent mountaineering destination.
Crete boasts three mountains that exceed 2,000 metres, namely Psiloritis with its highest peak, Timios Stavros, at 2,456 metres, the White Mountains with the peak Pachnes at 2,454 metres and Dikti with the peak Spathi at 2,148 metres.
The island has a long history of mountaineering, the Greek Mountaineering Club of Hania has been operating since the 1930s and there are mountaineering clubs all over Crete.
However, ski mountaineering was almost unknown, it remained a little secret among mountaineering fanatics. A group of mountaineers from Crete did something that at first seemed futile if not crazy: they held the first mountaineering ski race in Crete, known today as Pierra Creta, which became a well-established event.
In fact, in 2019 there were more than 50 participants from 11 different countries, while this year’s event – which took place on Saturday, March 5 – despite the restrictions of the pandemic, welcomed, apart from Greek participants, skiers from France, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, etc. (www.pierracreta.gr).
Strange as it may seem, the ski field of Crete is not small, while the snow season is long – it usually lasts until April, but can sometimes stretch into early June. This makes it an ideal destination for spring skiing, while it can easily be combined with walks on the beach.
So, for those who love skiing and mountaineering, put another pin in your map and climb Psiloritis, where you can ski with your eyes fixed on the blue of the Cretan sea. The most famous piste is the one that descends from the top of Timios Stavros to the Migeros Pit. The routes that start from the Toumbotos Prinos refuge and from Stolistra peak are also good options.
You can also try your hand at slalom in the White Mountains, although it is recommended that you are accompanied by a guide as the mountain is difficult and you can easily get lost. Consider that it has over 50 peaks that exceed 2,000 m. Dikti in Lasithi is also a nice option, but the snow does not last long. Note that in the villages of Livadia and Anogia in Rethymno, there are ski equipment rental shops run by “The climber of Psiloritis”, a Social Cooperative Enterprise that, among other things, promotes mountaineering skiing on the island (+30 6971924300).
Deciding where to go skiing depends of course on the après ski activities. Just imagine skiing the slopes of Ida in the morning and then having coffee in the afternoon at the old Venetian port of Rethymno; tasting excellent cheese, honey and wine at Livadia at an altitude of 600 metres; or walking around the old village of Garazo with its cobbled streets, stone houses and the old Turkish prison; or wandering the narrow streets of Margarites village with its Venetian charm, or Anogia, perhaps the most famous village of Rethymno with its exuberant traditional style and authentic Cretan cuisine.
On the other side, behind the White Mountains, there are equally tempting options, such as the beautiful old town of Hania with its elegant bars, the seaside Sfakia and Loutro, the mountain village of Theriso for delicious food and Omalos, the gateway to the Samaria Gorge.
In beautiful Lasithi under the shadow of Dikti, there is the picturesque village of Kritsa with its cobbled alleys, the village of Krousta with its whitewashed houses and streets full of mulberry trees and of course the town of Ierapetra with its endless dining options.
And if you’re still not tired, on the way back you can stop for a swim at one of the island’s amzing beaches.
Read also:
Sykia, Halkidiki: a majestic view of Mount Athos, a lovely coastline and 19th century vibes
Horseback riding in the mountainous heart of the Peloponnese
A village with vast history: A visit to Anogia in Crete will leave you “wealthier”
