Mount Hermon Reopens to Visitors After 514 Days of Closure

After 514 days of being closed due to the security situation, Israel’s iconic Mount Hermon site has officially reopened to visitors. The reopening, which took place on Tuesday morning, marks the first time the site has been accessible since October 7. Despite heavy snowfall last week, the site remains cautious, and skiing activities are still prohibited due to extensive damage to the infrastructure caused during the conflict, including a direct hit to two of the cable cars.

Rafael Naveh, CEO of Mount Hermon, expressed his excitement about the reopening, saying, “There is a great buzz this morning. We’ve been waiting for this moment for too long, and we welcome it.” Naveh emphasized the importance of this reopening, especially as the ski season is nearly over. “While early March is already the end of the season, we didn’t give up on the opportunity to allow Israeli citizens to return to Hermon and boost tourism in the Galilee and Golan,” he added.

Visitors can now return to the site, take advantage of the beautiful weather, and enjoy the stunning views. However, due to the damage, skiing remains off-limits for now. Those looking to visit the site must book tickets in advance through the official website, with entry prices starting at 36 shekels for children and 42 shekels for adults. Additional fees apply for cable car rides (60 shekels) and other attractions (45 shekels).

This move is seen as a positive step towards revitalizing tourism and the economy in the region, particularly the Galilee and Golan, which have faced challenges in the aftermath of the conflict.