Parnassos Ski Center Secures €8.7 Million for Upgrades Through Recovery Fund

Photo source: Parnassos Ski Center

The Parnassos Ski Center is set to receive significant upgrades, including modernization and enhanced visitor services, through an 8.7-million-euro investment funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni announced on Friday.

According to the minister, the investment aligns with the Tourism Ministry’s broader goal of enhancing Greece’s mountain tourism infrastructure.

Situated at an altitude of 2,457 meters, the Parnassos Ski Center spans the areas of Kelaria and Fterolaka, near the historic town of Delphi in Central Greece.

Photo source: Parnassos Ski Center

During her visit to the ski center on Friday, Kefalogianni highlighted the importance of expanding Greece’s tourism offerings beyond traditional destinations and peak seasons.

“The strategic goal of the Tourism Ministry is to expand tourism across more regions and throughout the year,” she said. “To achieve this, we are upgrading infrastructure and improving the institutional framework to better support Greece’s mountainous destinations.”

Update on Parnassos Ski Center’s operations

Parnassos Ski Center director Antonis Tourkohoritis with Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni. Photo source: Tourism Ministry

The center’s director, Antonis Tourkohoritis, provided Kefalogianni with updates on its operations. He highlighted that 11 lifts and 21 slopes were fully operational, catering to a record number of visitors during the holiday season. Currently, operational lifts include Aphrodite, Bacchus, Hermes, Pericles, and Baby 1 and 2 in Kelaria, as well as Iniochos, Zeus, Pan, Hera, and Baby 4 in Fterolaka.

Despite the high visitor turnout, Tourkohoritis noted minor delays at lift starting points due to maintenance work on certain facilities including the “Hercules” and “Aiolos” lifts.

The “Hercules” lift has been temporarily decommissioned to undergo modernization, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund. It will be replaced with a six-seater lift featuring a reduced environmental footprint.

Meanwhile, the “Aiolos” lift remains immobilized due to damage sustained during severe weather last September. Necessary repairs are expected to be completed within a month, according to the Hellenic Public Properties Company (ETAD), which manages the ski center.

Photo source: Parnassos Ski Center

According to the ministry, ETAD has made significant annual investments in the maintenance of lifts and electrical systems, ensuring compliance with all safety regulations. All lifts at Parnassos Ski Center undergo rigorous inspections and are certified for operation by the Tourism Ministry’s competent authorities.

It should be noted that the Parnassos Ski Center achieved a record-breaking 6,000 ticket sales during the holiday season, surpassing its previous high of 4,500 in 2022.