Seasons

[STELIOSBWFC]

I have seen spring, Summer and Autumn in Cyprus and would love to see winter in the Troodos area. If I come over for a winter break do you have advise on where to stop transport(I drive in summer but never drove in winter if it is deep snow) Please give me as much advise so I can Plan a trip.
Many thanks STELIOS.

[PaphosAL]

All the CTO and Trip Advisor sites appear to say that in Winter, Cyprus is the only place where you can ski in the mountains and swim in the Med in the same day. In order to do this, the municipilaties must surely keep the roads safe and clear.

There are some very nice hotels to stay in up there in Troodos as well. Start searching for package deals, perhaps? Hire car or jeep waiting for you at PFO? George and Kula at Easyrentacar

AL

[Ramone]

I spent the weekend a few weeks ago in the Troodos Hotel. Very nice, good food & average rooms. ( you get what you pay for). Very reasonable priced.
Great place for walks & visiting the local villages, When the snow is there Its not the best ski resort in the world but great fun for a novice, also the ski equipment hire price won't break the bank either. Enjoy.
If you are going up when there is snow I suggest you hire a 4 x 4 as sometimes you will not get to the top in a ordinary hire car.

[STELIOSBWFC]

All the CTO and Trip Advisor sites appear to say that in Winter, Cyprus is the only place where you can ski in the mountains and swim in the Med in the same day. In order to do this, the municipilaties must surely keep the roads safe and clear.

There are some very nice hotels to stay in up there in Troodos as well. Start searching for package deals, perhaps? Hire car or jeep waiting for you at PFO? George and Kula at Easyrentacar

AL

George is the man for a car and very nice he is AL Thanks.

[STELIOSBWFC]

I spent the weekend a few weeks ago in the Troodos Hotel. Very nice, good food & average rooms. ( you get what you pay for). Very reasonable priced.
Great place for walks & visiting the local villages, When the snow is there Its not the best ski resort in the world but great fun for a novice, also the ski equipment hire price won't break the bank either. Enjoy.
If you are going up when there is snow I suggest you hire a 4 x 4 as sometimes you will not get to the top in a ordinary hire car.

Sounds just the right for me and Mrs. Thanks for info Ramone.

[Poppy]

Stelios they don't grit as far as I am aware and sometimes in bad snow roads are completely closed off except to vehicles with chains on their tyres. I know Flossie and her husband have had to rescue people who have been stuck before now! Having said that it is a lovely place to visit in the winter but listen to weather reports before you go and proceed with caution.

[trevnhil]

I too thought that I had read of times when the police only allow vehicle with chains.

[Devil]

In November 1952, I was up there in a Landrover with a driver to fix a phone problem. Shortly after arrival, it started to snow, big wet flakes. I set to work and finished mid-afternoon. We went to the car and found it encased in a shell of frozen wet snow. The driver went to a kitchen and got a bucket of hot water to clear the windscreen, in a howling, freezing blizzard. We finally got moving on 4WD with low visibility but he couldn't see the road. I got a stick and felt the way in front of the car: about three hours in the dark to Pano Amiandos at a slow walking, stop/start, pace, by which time the weather was easing up and we could continue in sleet more or less normally. Fortunately, we had the forethought to take fleece-lined leather gilets but I've never felt so cold and miserable in all my life.

[William Morris]

Troodos in Winter is quite treacherous, not really the place to go for sightseeing.
If it is a short break you are looking at then I would advise Staying in limassol rsyher than pAphos.
If there sre any organised toors on offer then go with them otherwise hire a very good 4wd vehicle.

Most places are closed anyway, hotels, restaurants, etc. It really is a summer location.

However, if it is a longer break that you are wanting then contact some hotels in Platres or guest houses even to see who is open. Pack your best winter hiking gear and enjoy some ofvthe walks up there.

[WHL]

In November 1952, I was up there in a Landrover with a driver to fix a phone problem. Shortly after arrival, it started to snow, big wet flakes. I set to work and finished mid-afternoon. We went to the car and found it encased in a shell of frozen wet snow. The driver went to a kitchen and got a bucket of hot water to clear the windscreen, in a howling, freezing blizzard. We finally got moving on 4WD with low visibility but he couldn't see the road. I got a stick and felt the way in front of the car: about three hours in the dark to Pano Amiandos at a slow walking, stop/start, pace, by which time the weather was easing up and we could continue in sleet more or less normally. Fortunately, we had the forethought to take fleece-lined leather gilets but I've never felt so cold and miserable in all my life.

Add to that the roads were very primitive back in the day, some only dirt tracks, I used to poop myself going round some of those bends, barely room for two cars to pass

[Dominic]

Last year when it snowed they only allowed decent 4x4s and chained cars up. This didn't stop other people from trying. We passed them on the roads, as they gradually gave up. The roads do get very treacherous right at the top, but they did have ploughs and gritters running too.

As to the top, there are lots of places still open. The main hotel was doing a roaring trade, and stalls were selling corn on the cobs and the usual touristy fair.

With regards to the ski slope, you can go tobogganing as well. They set aside a separate little slope for toboggans, to the left of the main slope.

I did a blog about it:

https://www.paphoslife.com/blog/wonderland

[Steve Matthews]

I think the Troodos Mountains in winter are stunning. It's my favorite time to visit. A genuine winter wonderland. At weekends, the villages and towns can be packed with locals enjoying the snow. The main roads have a very strong, well equipped team from the local municipalities, keeping them open. They use snow ploughs, snow blowers and, in recent years, gritters. And most days, by lunchtime, the road network is good to go. Having said that, with chains, four wheel drive, a shovel and a flask of coffee, we've never got stuck. Explore the achingly pretty waterfalls, walk one of the many hiking trails, spend an afternoon skiing, sip hot chocolate in a café or hotel bar, photograph the stunning scenery; there is so much to do.

[Devil]

Add to that the roads were very primitive back in the day, some only dirt tracks, I used to poop myself going round some of those bends, barely room for two cars to pass

The road itself, like all the main roads in the 1950s, was rough tarmac to just the width of a 3-ton truck, I guess about 2 m, with about 80 cm of hard rubble either side. It was chicken to who went on the rubble first when meeting an oncoming vehicle, especially on a motorbike (I had a Royal Enfield 350 cc). Fortunately, on my trek, we didn't meet anyone coming uphill! I doubt whether there was any room at all to pass on the bends, especially on the notorious 'seven sisters' going up from Limassol. I still have my Cypriot 1956 driving licence, when I was a lot younger with more hair!

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[DavidatLWH]

Devil - your Cyprus D/L suggests that it was only issued for a year at a time. Is that correct?

[WHL]

Not bad devil, anyone ever said, you looked a bit like James Dean

[Devil]

Devil - your Cyprus D/L suggests that it was only issued for a year at a time. Is that correct?

Yes!, When renewed, they tore out the old slip of paper and stuck in a new one each year. Sounds bureaucratic, but it was just a formality at any post office (and there were many more POs in those days!)

[Devil]

Not bad devil, anyone ever said, you looked a bit like James Dean

God forbid!

[PaphosAL]

@Dominic: Thanks for the link to your 'winter wonderland' blog, as it's one I think I overlooked viewing previously. Beautiful scenes from Troodos in winter, it all looks so peaceful...

@Devil: My nephew in Denmark is named Brian. My daughter (who married in Pegeia back in Aug 2003 and now lives near Worcester) is Mrs Erika Ellis. Only coincidences, I know, but spooky. May we address you 'as' Brian when replying to your posts, or would you prefer we stick to 'Devil'?

@Stelios: George has a number of 4WD motors in his fleet. Don't worry, he'll do you proud, m8. And being the winter season, his rates will be very reasonable...

Yia mas! AL

[Devil]

@Devil: My nephew in Denmark is named Brian. My daughter (who married in Pegeia back in Aug 2003 and now lives near Worcester) is Mrs Erika Ellis. Only coincidences, I know, but spooky. May we address you 'as' Brian when replying to your posts, or would you prefer we stick to 'Devil'?

Please stick to 'Devil' which better reflects my character

[STELIOSBWFC]

@Devil: My nephew in Denmark is named Brian. My daughter (who married in Pegeia back in Aug 2003 and now lives near Worcester) is Mrs Erika Ellis. Only coincidences, I know, but spooky. May we address you 'as' Brian when replying to your posts, or would you prefer we stick to 'Devil'?

lost with this reply AL what is the coincedence related to

Please stick to 'Devil' which better reflects my character