Ouyoune el Simaan, more commonly known as Faraya-Mzaar after the nearby village, is the best equipped and most popular of Lebanon's ski resorts. There are 12 lifts on the slopes, including five chairlifts, one of which is new for this season. It is not unusual for there to be between four and five thousand skiers and snowboarders at the resort on a Sunday . There are good opportunities for cross-country skiing. Floodlighting some slopes to allow night skiing is being considered and may be tried as an experiment at the Christmas or New Year holidays.The resort has its own snow ploughs, so the roads remain open throughout the season.
Skis and ski equipment can be bought or hired from a number of different locations. The Farayot shop in the parking lot at the bottom of the slopes is the most convenient and hires skis and snowboards. Other shops can be found along the road before Faraya. Most of the accommodation in Ouyoune el Simaan is in the form of chalets or apartments which are also number of hotels in the resort and in Faraya village. There is ample parking space at the bottom of the slopes, which is free of charge. At weekends and holidays, service taxis run between Faraya village and the slopes.
For those who want a break from skiing, there are a number of sites of interest in the area, including a stunning 30-metre natural stone bridge, the Bridge of Kfardebian, formed by erosion caused by wind and rain. The bridge and the ruins of a Phoenician temple and a Roman tower can be found between Ouyoune el Simaan and Faqra. which at an altitude of 2463m is the lifts, offers one of the most spectacular views in the country. The Bekaa Valley, Mount Hermon, Laqlouq, the Cedars and the coast can all be seen on a clear day.
