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TODAY |
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Serbia |
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Copyright © 2010 SERBIA TODAY |
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SERBIA FACT SHEET: |
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Ski Centres and Mountain Resorts By: Bojana Jankovic In the Southwestern part of Serbia, in Raska municipality, the largest ski center in Serbia, Kopaonik, also known as Silver mountain (Srebrna planina), stretches from the northwest to southeast at a length of about 75 km and a width of 40 km. It highest peak is Pancicev peak, which measures 2017 meters at the summit. The attraction of Kopaonik starts with the first class ski terrain, which is located at an altitude of 1650 meters to 2017 meters, and is serviced by a network of 22 ski lifts. Ski resort has 7 four-seat chair lifts with a capacity of 10,000 skiers per hour, 5 two-seat chair lifts with a capacity of 5880 skiers per hour. There are also 15 ski tow ropes and 4 ski lifts specialized for small children. For those who want to achieve intimate contact with nature, there are trails for cross country skiing, and hiking trails that are maintained in the winter at Crvena Bara. The slopes of Kopaonik cover the spectrum in terrain type and difficulty. There are a wide range of accommodation available in Kopaonik, from the traditional-modern hotels developments, modern apartments and alpine cabins. The prices range from RSD 13,300 (EUR 141) to RSD 16,000 (EUR 171). It is your decision whether you stay in a big luxurious hotel such as the Grand Hotel, which is located in the tourist center and near the sports fields and elevators, or in a smaller more authentically charming mountain resort such as Suvo Rudiste, or in one of the oldest hotels on Kopaonik, Hotel Jugobanka which is a equally distant from all the ski lifts. If you want to stay in the most beautiful area of Kopaonik, look for accommodations in the Sincana Dolina (Sunny Valley). On the Masinac slope, near the Grand hotel, the Nebeska Stolica inn is made of the most beautiful colors of oak and provides cozy winter get away. Just a little further away from the slopes (3.5 kilometers) Suncani Vrhovi (Sunny Hills) provides a warm setting in a tradition mountain house or “Komita”. One of the top tourist destinations of Serbia, Stara Planina (Old Mountain), one of the highest mountain in Eastern Serbia, belongs to the group mountain range which forms the natural border between Bulgaria and Serbia. Ski pass prices range from RSD 300 to 600 (EUR 3 to 6 ) for a half-day pass, from 500 to 750 dinars (5 to 8 euros) for a full day pass, 800 to 1300 dinars (8 to14 euros) in a two day pass, and seven day passes for 2900 to 4800 (EUR 30 to 51). All passes for children less than 5 years are free. Two kilometers from Nova Varos located near Zlatibor, in the Western part of Serbia, is the highest mountain peak (1,927 meters), Zlatar, an attractive place for rest and recreation. In the pine forest, at an altitude of 1230 meters, a mountain chalet called Hotel Panorama is nestled into the mountain. A lift to the ski runs 800 meters in length is located next to the chalet. The most famous, with the freshest mountain air and beautiful scenery is Zlatibor. Located in the Western part of Serbia, Zlatibor is just called a spa as well as because of the fresh mountasin springs, mountain air, and the abundance of local cuisine. Tornik resort is situated on the slopes of the peak (1496 meters) of Zlatibor Mountain. Zlatibor offers 4 ski lifts: Tornik (six-seater), Krnevo Plandiste and Bandera and a children's lift. This elevators connect the 4 slopes of the mountain: Cigota (length 515m, medium difficulty, (the average incline is 27%), Ribnica (length 1888m, easy, average incline of 19%), Tornik (1066m in length, medium to advanced difficulty, the average incline of 28%) and Zmajevac (expert level of 691m and the average incline of 39%). The slopes are perfectly suited for competition in slalom, giant slalom and super giant slalom. Obudovica has numerous private ski lifts up to 200 meters, which are intended primarily for children. If you want to have the highest view of the ski resort Tornik, then you can visit the Jugopetrol hotel. Ski resort Iver in Mokra Gora (weastern part of Serbia, Zlatibor District, near Uzice) extends to an altitude of 1230 to 1500 meters and from Mecavnik it is only8 kilomoters from Mokra Gora. Here there are red and black (expert) category ski tracks in length from 900 to 1100 meters, two of which are covered with artficial snow whenever the snow is light. Ski lifts services all four slopes, and the length is 1100 meters. Altitude is the top ski lifts is 1496 meters, and the bottom is 1230 meters. Prices for a day pass is RSD 1,000 (EUR 10.5) for adults and RSD 500 (EUR 5) for children. In western Serbia, in the Kolubara District, southest of Valjevo, at the mountain Maljen at 980 meters altitude is Divcibare Mountain. The mountain is has snow cover 3-4 months per year. On the north slope is the longest slope at 800m in length, with a ski lift which has a capacity of 700 skiers per hour. The length is 600 meters, a height difference 100m. Good news for all for all skiers is that there is night skiing. In addition to these tracks there are three smaller tracks, up to 300 meters in length, with children’s ski lifts, as well. Divcibare valley has excellent grounds for cross-country skiing, and in hotels and resorts there is ski rental equipment and a ski school. These winter get aways offer the natural beauty of the region and true escape from the quick paced life style of the cities.
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Mountains & Ski Resorts Skiing in Serbia allows visitors to enjoy a no-frills ski experience in a completely different culture. The skiing is mainly best for beginners, and the area hotels offer inexpensive tourist packages far more often than to be found on a traditional Western Europe ski centers. The beautiful mountains are home to good snow coverage throughout the country’s’ long cold winter, and they provide a stunning backdrop to the slopes. The main ski resorts of Serbia are Kopaonik, Brezovica and Tara, with Zlatar, Zlatibor, and Divčibare offering smaller areas for locals to visit. Brezovica has peaks up to 2,500m, with long cruising runs and Tara offers interesting terrain on one of the most beautiful mountains in the country. It is Kopaonik, or “Kop” as it was affectionately known back in it’s’ heyday, that corners the Serbian market in international visitors though. With skiing in Kopaonik offering mainly gentle slopes ideal for beginners, good English-speaking tuition and a purpose-built village offering lively après-ski, the resort is regaining it’s popularity with families and those looking for an cheaper alternative to the slopes of Italy, France and Austria. The skiing in Kopaonik covers 60km and reaches a peak of 1,770m, with 15 easy trails and a further 14 providing more challenging skiing, including 3 FIS standard runs. The lift system is frequently being updated and consists of a combination of 21 chairs and drag lifts. Serbian mountains are exciting place to visit in the summer and other seasons as well. Those who love hiking, camping, climbing, or just easy walks through the enchanting nature will find Serbian mountains a rewarding place to visit.
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