In 1960, Emile Riachi, founded the Lebanese Ski Federation and became its first President until 1996. Ski au Liban - histoire et evolution - Lebanese Ski Federation.[5] Under his leadership, Lebanon has become a destination for high level ski champions. From 1962 until 1975 when the civil war in Lebanon erupted, the famous championships known as "Semaine Internationale de Ski au Liban" attracted the best champions from alpine countries.