Typical 7-Day Balkans Cat Ski Safari Package Itinerary
A typical itinerary for a classic Balkans cat ski safari taking in 3 different locations is below. Extra cat ski days, longer stays at locations, travel days & sightseeing can all be added depending on the wishes of the group (plus the snow & weather conditions). Every cat ski day will include around 6hr of ski time ( not including lunch).
Day 1 Arrival Day (late afternoon or evening)
Arrive Skopje airport, welcome to the Balkans, travel to Sumski Feneri Hotel. If you have arranged a transfer, your driver will be waiting for you and arrive at the hotel. Greeted by a local host. Dinner will be available depending on arrival time. Opportunity to meet with your local mountain guide in the hotel restaurant and discuss the coming days of freeriding.
Days 2 & 3 – Brezovica (Kosovo) Ski & Snowboard Days
Your ski days in Kosovo are in & around the Brezovica ski resort with Dane Freeride. Lunch at David's Bar Restaurant which doubles as the cat ski operation headquarters. If staying in the mountain hut accommodation, David’s will also be where wonderful breakfasts & dinners are eaten. If staying off the hill at the Pine Hotel, a 15min drive is required in the morning.
Ride high alpine bowls, chutes & ridges, plus light tree & gullies lower down & even steep heavy trees if conditions allow & skiers are keen. The last run of the first ski day will be a 1600m vertical valley descent from the upper mountain into the village of Štrpce. Après ski at a local village bar before transferring by car back up to the mountain or hotel for the evening
Late Afternoon Day 3 – Brezovica to Bogovinje
Travel from Brezovica Kosovo to Bogovinje. Stay overnight in a hotel or transfer by snowcat to the mountain hut.
Days 4 & 5 - Bogovinje Ski & Snowboard Days
Cat skiing in Bogovinje provides the ski safari's most remote mountain experience. After a transfer by snowcat the two mountain huts will be home for your short (too short?) stay. Ski direct from the door & then board the cat on a sensational exploration of the vast alpine terrain. Lunches will be ‘in the field’ with delicious freshly prepared picnic ingredients & sweets to fulfill your needs in between riding awesome alpine bowls, ridges & chutes. Ski directly back to the mountain huts at the end of the day.
Late Afternoon Day 5 – Bogovinje to Pelister
Travel from Bogovinje to Pelister. Stay overnight in the Sumski Feneri Hotel.
Days 6 & 7 - Pelister Ski & Snowboard Days
Based around Mt Pelister (also known as the Baba Mountain), SF Freeride are your hosts for the next two days. The hotel accommodation & food are sensational & the team is super friendly & enthusiastic. Lunches during the cat ski days are in the Shiroka mountain hut & are amongst the best in North Macedonia. At just over 2600m, the peak is accessible by cat & if conditions allow, a wonderful array of steep chutes can be ridden, otherwise it is open bowls & light to heavy glades – perfect if visibility is an issue. For a final run there is an option to ride a long extreme descent off the southern side of Pelister & then get picked up by a van for return to the hotel.
Late Afternoon Day 7 – Pelister to Skopje
After an epic days riding, you get the chance to clean up at the hotel, then get transferred to Skopje. If your plane is leaving in the evening the drop off will be at the airport, otherwise you will be taken direct to your hotel (not included in tour). The tour operator can arrange a hotel & provide recommendations for restaurants & sight-seeing in Skopje.
NOTE: This itinerary is a guide. The tour is dictated by the weather each day and the wishes of your group. Your host & guide will seek the best conditions snow conditions whenever possible. That’s the beauty of a guided tour!