Ski Holidays

Bosnia and Herzegovina, host to the 1984 Winter Olympics, is a great ski holiday destination for all ages and offers dozens of perks - first rate slopes, breathtaking surroundings, inexpensive accommodation, a great mix of local skiers and international tourists. The slopes cater to all levels of skiers, and resorts offer all the facilities including ski and snowboard rentals, ski shops and excellent restaurants offering various types of food. The season runs from December to April, with the high season from January to mid-February.

Of the ski areas that surround Sarajevo, Jahorina, which hosted the women's alpine events in 1984, and Bjelasnica, host of the men's alpine events, are by far the most popular - with places to stay, eat, rent equipment, and après-ski action on both mountains. Both centres are only half an hour away from Sarajevo city centre. Igman, also in Sarajevo vicinity has a great traditional restaurant and mini-lifts for kids in addition to its standard ski trails. Other ski resorts are on Vlasic in central Bosnia and Kupres in the western Herzegovina. Except skiing, all resorts offer alternative activities: snowboarding, snow shoeing, cross country, snow scooter rides, night skiing, sledge rides and so.

Jahorina

JahorinaThe 1,915-metre Jahorina offers 20 kilometres of groomed slopes for alpine skiing, with eight lifts for a capacity of 7,500 skiers an hour. Ski runs stretch between 1200-1900 meter altitude, from beginner runs to competitive ones they are suitable for all skiers. Modern ski schools, services and rentals are available, and there are numerous open-air restaurants and bars on the slopes. Jahorina also offers night- and cross-country skiing and fairly good après-ski.

A single-day ski pass is €13, a three-day pass €33 and a weekly pass €70.

Bjelasnica

Bjelasnica is a more challenging mountain. It has the steepest of all slopes - racing from its peak at 2,067 meters to the base at 1,200 meters in Babin Do is a fast 10 minute ride. The resort was damaged during the war, but ski centres have been repaired, three lifts are currently in operation and new hotels and apartments are built. A single-day ski pass is €13, a three-day pass €33 and a weekly pass €70.

Vlasic

Vlasic near Travnik is the best established ski centre in central Bosnia . The highest peak, Paljenik, is 1943 meters above see level. Popular resort Babanovac is at 1260 meters, about 28 km from Travnik. There are several new and refurbished hotels, motels and private accommodation. Facilities include ski jump hill, four ski-lifts with the capacity of 4300 skiers in one hour and ski rental. Ski pass for a day costs €8.

Kupres

Ski resort in Kupres, western Bosnia stretches over 1200-1550m altitude and encompasses four ski runs with total length of 13 kilometres. There are four lifts with total capacity of 5000 skiers per hour. The resort offers day and night skiing, and snowboarding. It is a good choice for recreational skiers, ski beginners and families. There are many restaurants and an organized ski school. Nearby is Blidinje Nature Park with skiing facilities in the valley between Vranj and Cvrsnica.