Skiing

Every winter the landscape of Florina becomes white and clear with its snow-covered mountains. Young people and especially children enjoy the snow. For them, the winter has to offer snow sports and especially sliding.
The first skis were brought to Florina by the French army during the First World War (1916-18).
In 1933 the Greek Mountaineering Association (E.O.S.) was founded in Florina, which established the skiing section in 1938.
In 1945 many pairs of skis of the German army ran out and were used by the first skiers… A German soldier who stayed in Florina after the end of the war was a great skier and undertook the training of new skiers.
From 1945 until today many races are held in the skiing centre of Vigla Pisoderiou. Florina has produced countless skiing athletes who participated in world championships and won many medals and distinctions.
The slopes of Vigla are among the oldest in Greece. They have a ski – mountaineering shelter and a chalet. It is one of the oldest ski resorts built by the passion and voluntary work of Floridians. For the quality of its snow and its duration it was nominated for world competitions.
The ski resort of Villa has ski instructors and ski and snowboard rentals.

TEXT: Dimitris Mekasis
SOURCE: neaflorina.gr/2021/12/i-chionodromia-stin-florina