Faraya Snow and Road Conditions: How to Check Before You Drive

"Is the road open?" is the most common message we get between December and March. The honest answer is that it almost always is, and that the real questions are what tyres you have and when you leave. This is how the road behaves, how to check it yourself, and what we send every winter guest the day before arrival.

What the road is like

From Beirut the route climbs through Kesrouan on a paved main road to the Faraya roundabout, then continues up to Faqra Club, RedRock and the Mzaar base. The last stretch is where the altitude and the snow arrive together. The road to RedRock itself is maintained and cleared through the season.

When you need snow tyres, chains or a 4x4

• December to March: snow tyres recommended, always. Carry chains if your car does not have them.
• After heavy snowfall: a 4x4 is a good idea for the last climb, at least until the plough has been through.
• During and just after a storm: expect delays at the Faraya roundabout; police may hold cars without snow tyres or chains until the road is treated.
• A normal winter weekend with no fresh snow: any car with decent tyres, driven gently.

How to check the snow and the road yourself

• Look at the Mzaar Kfardebian resort's snow report and social channels on the morning you travel; they post lift status and fresh snow.
• Check the weather forecast for Kfardebian or Mzaar, not Beirut: the coast can be 15°C while the plateau is snowing.
• Search recent posts for the Faraya road; Lebanese drivers post conditions in near real time on winter weekends.
• Ask us. Every guest gets a road update from Karl the day before arrival, and again on the morning if the forecast changes.

Timing the drive

On winter weekends the climb is busiest between 8 and 11 in the morning. Leave Beirut before 8 or after 11, fill the tank before the last climb, and stop at Em Bachir Saj on the way up if you want breakfast (it closes mid-afternoon). Coming down, the parking exit at Mzaar around 15:00 is the worst quarter hour of the day; a drink at the base and a 16:30 departure is usually faster.

What to carry

• Snow chains and gloves to fit them.
• A charged phone and offline maps; signal drops on the last climb.
• Water, a blanket, and the numbers for the Red Cross (140), Civil Defence (125) and Karl saved before you leave.

If you get stuck

Stay with the car and out of blind bends. Call Karl first: we are up here, we know the road, and we know who to send. Then the Red Cross on 140 if anyone is hurt.

Arriving late

The chalet's smart lock means a late arrival after a slow drive is not a problem. Your PIN and photo directions arrive 24 hours ahead, the heating is on, and the car goes straight into the indoor garage, so there is nothing to dig out in the morning. Check ski-season dates if you are planning around the snow.