Cyprus is an Island in the Mediterranean Sea, west of Syria, and North of Egypt. It is the 3rd largest Island in the Mediterranean, and has approximately 1,000,000 inhabitants. Now most people think of Cyprus as a semi tropical area known for its beaches, vineyards and incredible ancient history (Did you know; Cyprus is the birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite?)
 
Upon my arrival at the Larnaca International airport, I rented a car and over the following few days made my way along the southern coastline exploring the area as I went. From Paphos on the SW point of the Island I was to travel north and back through the mountain roads on my way up into the Troodos Mountains. My destination was the small hamlet of Troodos, which is the nearest point to Mt Olympus. At 1950m in altitude, Mt Olympus is the highest point in Cyprus. The root I chose to get there was not the best nor the most direct, and at times was putting my small 2 wheel drive rental as well as myself to the test! But after nearly 3h and 100km of some of the craziest roads I have ever driven on, I had arrived to the top of Mt Olympus.
 
The sun had just settled and I made my way to the only hotel in the area, located a couple km away in Troodos. After a good night sleep I woke up early, the air was brisk and fresh with a slight breeze, with an air temperature around -5. The following morning I go up early and got ready to make my way back up Mt. Olympus to the Cyprus Ski Federation ventre. That's right, believe it or not, most years from January until April, you will find many Cypriots on the small ski slopes of their one and only ski area. The snow so far this year has been nothing great and the ski runs were not yet open. But this suited me just fine, as what I really wanted to do was some good old cross country skiing.
 
I got suited up with some old rossignol skis and some retro boots and was ready to go. They don't have any groomed x-c ski trails, so I simply made my way around doing some backcountry touring along the top and bottom of some near by valleys. To say that is was great skiing would be an overstatement, but it truly was a unique experience, and one I will never forget! As a skier, coach and former racer, I have skied many different clubs throughout Ontario and Quebec, but none can compare to the unique flora and scenery of the Troodos Mountains.
 
After about a 1.5h it was time to get back on my journey and off the mountains before I got myself stuck in some snow storm or random back road.
 
Cyprus is truly a beautiful place to visit and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has the chance! If you ever have any question on skiing Cyprus, feel free to let me know.
 
I look forward to getting back out on the North Bay Nordic ski trails, and seeing you out there.