With snow already present in some regions of the country, we can say the ski season has just kicked off. We present you ten of the most known ski destinations in Romania.
Straja
Straja mountain resort in Hunedoara county is well known among skiers, providing several ski slopes both for pros and beginners. Telegondola ski slope is excellent for the experienced ski runners. It is 3,200m long and 590m lift. Amateurs can go to less difficult ski slopes such as Lupului, Platoul Soarelui or Sf. Gheorghe, each having under 1,000m in length.
Several days ago, forecasters announced that all important ski slopes in Straja are ready for welcoming skiers, as the snowpack ranges from 35 to 50 centimeters. However, the slopes are also equipped with snow canons and nocturne lighting system. They are opened form 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The access to Straja is available by car on the county road that leaves from Lupeni town, on Jiu Valley.
Ranca
Rânca resort is located at 1,600 altitude on the southern flank of Parâng Mountains. It has an amazing potential for winter sports, as in Parâng it snows since September and the snow is preserved until May. There are six ski slopes in the resort and one sleigh slope, totaling 3,5 km of ski area. It is located 17.9 kilometers away from Novaci, Gorj County, after passing on the Transalpina through the Parâng Mountains.
Bușteni
Bușteni is a mountain resort on Prahova Valley that cannot miss on the skiers’ route. It has 11 ski slopes, but Babele-Peștera is one of the most difficult ones. It is not upgraded, has no night lighting system or snow canons, so it is a true challenge for the most experienced and daredevil ski runners. It is 3,000m long and 600m lift.
The climb or descent is RON 15 for adults and RON 9 for children. It also offers an incredibly beautiful view.
Other ski slopes for beginners and intermediates in Busteni are: Cabana Babele (400m), Cabana Omu (1,500m), Piatra Arsa (300m), Silva (400m).
Sinaia
Among the ski resorts on Prahova Valley, Sinaia is offering the best ski at high altitude. It has 8 ski slopes totaling 10.5 kilometers. One of the most sought ones is Drumul Vechi, having 5,000m in length. The difficulty level is high, while the lift is only of 400 meters. The slope is not upgraded and is quite narrow, so you have to master the ski pretty well. However, the landscape is compensating any other challenge. The transport is provided by the cable car or the chair lift.
For beginners, the shortest ski slope in Sinaia is Valea Dorului (600m), but also Valea Dorului Varianta (800m) and Valea Soarelui (1,180m).
Poiana Brașov
In Poiana Brașov, the ski field is comparable to the one in Austria or Germany. He you can find the longest ski slope in the country, Drumul Roșu, 5,300 meter long. The slope used to serve as a forest road, but after a 50% extension, it became a real ski slope both for pros and amateurs.
Predeal
Predeal is one of the most favorite winter locations in Romania, displaying a wide range of ski slopes. However, this is not the right place for those in search for extreme ski adventures. The ski slopes have a low and medium difficulty, with the longest of them being Cocoșul (2,250-meter long and with a 300m lift). The climb is by two-person lifts and the program is 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Păltiniș
Păltiniș mountain resort in Sibiu County was set up in 1894, hidden in Cindrel Mountains, at an altitude of 1,442 meters. It has two ski slopes: Oncești, having 1.15km, night lighting system and chair lift and Dăneasa- 4.5 lm long, with lift access. There are also five slopes for the amateurs of cross-country skiing. The access to the resort is easy on 106 county road, 32 km away from Sibiu city.
Vatra Dornei
Vatra Dornei is the most famous winter sports resort in northern Moldavia, standing on the second longest ski slope in Romania, the 3 km long Dealu Negru. There are four upgraded ski slopes: Dealu Neagru 1 and 2 (900 m and 550 m), which also provide baby-ski for children and lift, and Veverița ski slope (850m, night lighting system and artificial snow).
Semenic
Semenic in Caraș-Severin County is opened all year long. Located in Banat Mountains, at an altitude of 1,410 meters, the resort is hosting 5 ski slopes: Semenic (350m), Crucea de brazi (700m), Goznuta (500m), Slalom urias (1,200m) and Slalom (520m). There is lift acces at Semenic and Goznuta, but no night lighting system. The snowpack: 15-20 centimeters. Bucharest-Semenic distance: 521 km.
Szekler Land
Harghita and Covasna counties in central Romania have together 13 ski slopes, with different difficulty levels. The most known resort here is Harghita Bai (1,350m) located in Harghita Mountains, at the foot of Harghita-Ciceu Massif. The resort has 7 ski slopes. Another resort is Harghita Madaras, counting 4 ski slopes. Izvorul Mureșului, Toplița, Băile Homorod, Balvanyos, Sovata, Ghelinta and Comandau are joining the previous two resorts, together hosting 11.5 km of skiable area.