Mt Hermon

Olmsted Ski-Trip!

In honor of the Hensarlings' visit from Brussels, the Israel Olmsted contingent decided to cut classes and declare an 'official' ski-day.

Who knew you could ski in the Middle East? Yes, that's right--Mt Hermon is located in the NE corner of Israel in the Golan Heights, and it normally gets enough snow for actual skiing in winter months. OK, it's no Aspen, but it was better than most East coast options in the states (sorry Snowshoe). The fresh snow and decent runs definitely exceeded my expectations.

Sean & I on the summit w/ Lebanon in the background

Check out this hair: outstanding.

A true statement in skiing fashion (& it's warm!)

Ken Wainwright (OSC 2012, Jerusalem)

Sean Carano (OSC 2010, Jerusalem)-the brains behind the operation

Brian Hensarling (OSC 2011, Brussels) thinking to himself: "Hmmm, not enough places to ski in Western Europe....I think I'll try a more southerly location."

Good snow, decent weather (most of the day), and a beautiful view of the Golan Heights, Syria, and Lebanon made this a great little trip. This is probably the only ski slope on a disputed territory, and one that has been the sight of a good deal of fighting due to it's strategic location between 3 different countries (Syrians still don't recognize Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights after the 6-day war of 1967, and Mt Hermon changed hands several times in Yom Kippur War of 1973). Lucky for us, our biggest threat was just falling down and breaking something.

Check out the ski patrol.
These guys are "Alpinistim" skiers w/ M-4 rifles...

You just don't see stuff like that at Squaw Valley.

I for one have never felt more safe skiing in my life!

They were also assisting in a very noble cause:

a program teaching wounded IDF veterans to learn how to ski. Awesome.

Till next time...Shalom Y'all -Stew