Winter Pressure on Lebanon’s Mountain Regions: Access Measures and Travel Guidance (2025–2026)

The 2025–2026 winter season has brought a significant rise in visitor movement across Lebanon’s mountain regions, extending well beyond skiing and structured snow activities. Areas such as Laklouk, Kfardebian and the Mzaar corridor, and Bcharre have all experienced similar challenges, where unregulated mass visitation has disrupted access roads, affected residential areas, and caused visible environmental strain. In response, municipalities and local authorities have introduced a range of temporary organizational measures aimed at managing access, safety, and seasonal sustainability.

Transport pressure and mass bus access

One of the most disruptive factors observed this winter has been the increase in large day-visitor buses heading directly into snow areas during peak weekends. These vehicles frequently overwhelm narrow mountain roads and limited parking capacity, leading to extended traffic gridlock, delayed access to winter facilities, and disruption to the ski season itself. To reduce safety risks and congestion, authorities in several corridors have begun restricting or controlling non-compliant buses during high-pressure periods.

Bcharre area: municipal access regulation during peak days

On 8 February, Bcharre Municipality announced a set of temporary organizational measures to manage visitor access and reduce congestion during periods of heavy winter pressure. These measures included:

• Restricting the entry of large and medium buses such as coaster and pullman vehicles into the city, the Cedars area, ski zones, and surrounding sites

• Allowing access only to buses with confirmed prior reservations at hotels, restaurants, or ski facilities, subject to verification at municipal and security checkpoints

• Requesting advance coordination between tourism institutions and the municipality to facilitate organized entry

• Clarifying that the measures are temporary, intended to support safety, traffic management, and the continuity of the winter season

The municipality also explicitly reminded visitors to respect public spaces and private property, keep the area clean, and avoid leaving waste behind, as part of maintaining an orderly and safe winter environment. These steps were introduced in response to increased vehicle volume, limited road capacity, and the need to preserve access for residents, emergency services, and organized tourism.

Kfardebian and Oyoun el Siman: seasonal activity and access advisories

In Kfardebian and along the Oyoun el Siman, winter facilities remain active across main areas, with higher visitor demand on weekends and public holidays. To address road safety concerns, local authorities, in coordination with security forces, have restricted the ascent of non-compliant buses exceeding defined passenger capacity on key access routes. Group travelers are advised to confirm vehicle compliance in advance or consider alternative transport arrangements.

Additional seasonal advisories focus on:

• Avoiding roadside or random parking

• Using designated parking areas only

• Refraining from off-road driving on snow-covered terrain

• Limiting snowmobile and ATV use to regulated and authorized zones

• Avoiding informal or unlicensed winter excursions

These measures aim to reduce traffic disruption, protect winter landscapes, and ensure safer movement during peak days.

Visitor behavior, environmental pressure, and shared mountain spaces

Across several mountain regions, increased roadside stopping, informal gatherings, and waste accumulation have been observed, particularly during busy weekends. Cars have been seen stopping between homes and chalets, with visitors setting up barbecues and arguileh gatherings on snow-covered land and roadside edges. These practices create safety hazards, disturb residential life, and leave behind litter and charcoal waste in areas not designed for open-air leisure use.

Environmental impact is also a growing concern. Unregulated off-road driving, snowmobiles, and ATVs have expanded into sensitive zones. In the Bcharre region, authorities have warned that uncontrolled ATV use is damaging young cedar saplings and regeneration areas, compacting soil and destroying newly planted trees critical to long-term forest recovery.

Ongoing coordination and seasonal management

Municipalities across Lebanon’s mountain regions continue to manage winter pressure with limited infrastructure and resources. Where access controls and advisories have been implemented, smoother traffic flow and improved safety have been observed during peak periods. The current season highlights the importance of coordination between municipalities, transport operators, winter facilities, and visitors.

What travelers should know

Lebanon’s mountains are lived-in communities and fragile ecosystems. Winter enjoyment remains welcome, but it increasingly depends on visitors respecting access rules, environmental limits, and residential spaces.

Traveler takeaway:

How, where, and when you visit Lebanon’s mountain regions now directly affects road safety, community well-being, and the survival of landscapes that define the winter experience.