Skiing Kosovo

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Powder skiing in Kosovo, Brezovica ski area
Powder skiing in Kosovo, Brezovica ski area
Cat skiing in the Accursed Mountains with Lynx Freeride is an adventure
Cat skiing in the Accursed Mountains with Lynx Freeride is an adventure
Brezovica ski resort has some funky ski lifts that are getting moving again
Brezovica ski resort has some funky ski lifts that are getting moving again
Feeride powder in Kosovo near Brezovica
Feeride powder in Kosovo near Brezovica
Nord Freeride is a new cat ski operation in the Kosovan Shar Mountains
Nord Freeride is a new cat ski operation in the Kosovan Shar Mountains
Meals in Kosovo are huge & delicious everywhere you go
Meals in Kosovo are huge & delicious everywhere you go
Riding deep powder with Lynx Freeride in Kosovo
Riding deep powder with Lynx Freeride in Kosovo
Backcountry ski touring in Kosovo with Balkan Natural Adventure
Backcountry ski touring in Kosovo with Balkan Natural Adventure
Ski tour into (& through) local villages in Kosovo
Ski tour into (& through) local villages in Kosovo
Cat skiing with Nord Freeride in the Shar Mountains of Kosovo
Cat skiing with Nord Freeride in the Shar Mountains of Kosovo
Sidecountry powder skiing near Brezovica in Kosovo
Sidecountry powder skiing near Brezovica in Kosovo
Stay in alpine huts whilst skiing with Freeride Kosovo
Stay in alpine huts whilst skiing with Freeride Kosovo
Freeride Kosovo can get you high into the mountians with ease
Freeride Kosovo can get you high into the mountians with ease
Backcountry powder skiing with Balkan Natural Adventure in Kosovo
Backcountry powder skiing with Balkan Natural Adventure in Kosovo
Cat Ski Safari group after a long, freeride descent to a village in Kosovo
Cat Ski Safari group after a long, freeride descent to a village in Kosovo
Meeting the locals in remote villages is a wonderful part of skiing in Kosovo
Meeting the locals in remote villages is a wonderful part of skiing in Kosovo
Climb remote peaks whilst ski touring in Kosovo with Balkan Natural Adventure
Climb remote peaks whilst ski touring in Kosovo with Balkan Natural Adventure
Freeride powder skiing in Kosovo at Brezovica ski area
Freeride powder skiing in Kosovo at Brezovica ski area
Cat skiing in Kosovo will bring a smile to your face!
Cat skiing in Kosovo will bring a smile to your face!
Discover skiing in Kosovo, overlooking Brezovica ski area from the sidecountry
Discover skiing in Kosovo, overlooking Brezovica ski area from the sidecountry

Skiing Kosovo

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Ski Kosovo

Ski Kosovo for its adventurous cat ski operations, wild mountains, wonderful cuisine & crumbling ski resorts. Kosovo has some of the best value skiing & snowboarding in Europe; remaining uncrowded, untouched & unknown. It is also rapidly becoming the cat-skiing epicentre of Europe, with four operations running at Brezovica, across at the impressive Accursed Mountains on the Albanian border, and also more recently on the colder north-aspect of the Sharr Mountains on the border with North Macedonia.

Anyone looking for a place as far removed from the crowded, 'antiseptic' ski resorts of the Alps, but still in Europe, will love travelling to Kosovo. Any visit contributes not only to one's lifetime ski experiences, but also to the future prosperity of this fledgling nation. When are you going to visit?

Reasons to Ski & Snowboard Kosovo

There are a host of reasons to go skiing & snowboarding in Kosovo. Here a few of the better ones:

  • Powder & very few people competing for it.
  • Adventure - rediscover forgotten ski areas & remote mountains with awesome ski-touring & cat-skiing.
  • Value - Kosovo provides a great value winter holiday destination.
  • Social - visiting Kosovo will help the local economy & assure skiing continues into the future.
  • Fun - enjoy the local hospitality, copious food & quality drinks.

Kosovo Skiing & Ski Resorts

Kosovo's few ski resorts have suffered badly since the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. What lifts do turn are generally old & unreliable. One of Kosovo's major ski resorts is Brezovica. Whilst still popular, it is now a shadow of its former self, although the snow & terrain is as good as ever! The resort has been trying to get 'back in the game' in the last few years - grooming more slopes, running a few more of the ancient chairlifts & even cranking up the most questionable funicular we have ever seen (albeit on a wholly unreliable schedule). The demise of the lift's at Brezovica led to one local to start up a cat ski operation, Dane Freeride - a boon for Powderhounds. Despite the unreliable nature of the ski lifts at places like Brezovica, the snow & terrain is still world class & worth visiting when conditions are good.

The Sharr Mountains, running along the border with North Macedonia, whilst high, are of the old and rounded variety, providing the perfect location for multi-day ski-touring/splitboarding adventures a world away from the crowds. Cruisy ascents & long untracked descents await, and at the end of the day, one gets to enjoy the fabulous Kosovan hospitality. Check out the possibilities and have a look at the guided Ski Touring in Kosovo & Albania trip ->

Cat Skiing Kosovo

At least four cat ski operations are now plying their trade in Kosovo. The well-established Dane Freeride has been operating for years out of the Brezovica ski resort in the south, near the border with North Macedonia. A now well-established cat-skiing operator is Lynx Freeride. They prowl the remote and delightfully named Accursed Mountains on the Albanian border below Kosovo's highest peak. The terrain and abundant snow should (& does) excite the most hardened campaigner. A newcomer to the same region, but a few valleys to the north is Freeride Kosovo. Similar to Lynx Freeride, they are coupled with a nice boutique hotel for a base lodge.

To the south, Nord Freeride is establishing itself with two base lodges on the north side of the Shar Mountains across the border from the North Macedonian cat-ski operators based in Popova Shapka (Shar Outdoors & Eskimo Freeride).

Travel To & Around Kosovo

The Republic of Kosovo is a landlocked nation located in the Balkans, surrounded by Serbia to the north & east, Macedonia to the south with Albania & Montenegro to the west. The capital of Kosovo, Prìština (in English - either Pristina or Prishtina), is the main gateway to the country via its international airport. Another useful point of access to Kosovo can be Skopje in North Macedonia.

Pristina is 570km north of Athens & around 700km south of Vienna. The Adem Jashari International Airport Pristina (PRN) is 20km to the southwest of the capital. The main Kosovo ski areas are in the mountains to the south & west of Pristina toward North Macedonia & Albania.

Note though that crossing borders by land into Kosovo can be 'interesting' to say the least, so we recommend travelling with a local guide, host, or transport company, rather than driving yourself. If looking to travel independently within Kosovo, a rental car can be a handy way of getting around, with the airport being the best place to rent, however the roads in the mountains can be treacherous during storms & a car is useless if spending a week cat skiing somewhere.

Powderhounds recommends using a pre-arranged taxi or private shuttle organised by your tour provider or hotel for transfers to your destination from the airport.

Flights into Pristina International Airport Adem Jashari

The recommended airport to access skiing in Kosovo is Pristina International Airport Adem Jashari (PRN). The airport is located 20km west of the Kosovo capital of Pristina & taxis can make the 90km journey to the Lynx Freeride pick up point at Junike in around 1½hr.

Flights to Pristina are available from most major European airports including Munich (MUC), Frankfurt (FRA), Paris (CDG), Geneva (GVA), Zurich (ZRH) & Vienna (VIE), Istanbul (IST), & London-Luton (LTN) in the UK and all major Scandinavian airports. A host of minor European airports also provide direct links.

Search & book flights to Pristina.

Pristina & Prizren Accommodation

The capital of Kosovo, Prìština, may hold some interest for first-time visitors to this fledgling nation. The city is quite walkable. Sites of interest include the many cathedrals & mosques, the Kosovo National Library (apparently oft described as one of the 'ugliest' buildings in the world - you be the judge), museums and the open-air bazaar. Then of course there is wonderful food, rakia (strong local spirit) and perfect 'Turkish' coffee (seriously yum for any coffee drinker worth their salt). There is even a statue to past US President Bill Clinton. You will have to visit to find out why!

Places to stay in Prishtina include a wide range of superb 2 to 3-star hotels & apartments. Prices vary widely at the higher end of the market, however midweek in winter, most 4 & 5-star hotels are incredibly good value. Near the centre of the city, try either the Emery Hotel, Hotel LaCorte Prishtina, the new Hotel MANAMI, the elegant Hotel Prishtina, or the exceptional Derand Hotel .

Search & book here for all Prishtina accommodation.

Arguably, if looking for a more interesting city experience in Kosovo, historic Prizren is a better bet than Pristina. Located just 85km to the southwest of the capital, Prizren’s riverside location in the foothills of the mountains, a relatively intact old town centre, and hilltop fortress are some of the highlights. Unbelievably well-priced hotels & local food, make it easy to explore the town for a day or two before heading back to whatever your real world is! For hotels near the centre of town, check out the Hotel Fjorr (has the best value room rates in the city), Monarch Hotel, Prior Hotel or Hotel Kacinari.

Search & book here for all Prizren Accommodation.

More Info

Still not convinced? We have traveled in Kosovo in winter and can provide more advice & information if you need it. If you have a question about skiing & snowboarding in Kosovo, CONTACT US.

Ski Tours in or near Kosovo

Safari (Road Trip) Tours

Ski Touring Kosovo & Albania
GUIDED BACKCOUNTRY SKI TOUR
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6.5 Ski Days
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Escape the beaten tracks on a week of guided adventure ski touring & breathtaking landscapes through the best parts of the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo & Albania. Amazing skiing, food & culture await. Get your own group together for a fully private customised tour.
Price p/p From price based on an 8-day tour.
Base/invoice currency is in EUR inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 1,532
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See all Safari (Road Trip) tours that visit Kosovo here

Heli Skiing Tours

Heliskiing the Albanian Alps
GUIDED HELISKIING | ACCURSED MOUNTAINS
7-Day Packages or Fully Customised Tours
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Join Heliski Albania in the unexplored terrain of the Accursed Mountains. One of the world’s best heliskiing experiences with a combination of the highest safety standards & an exceptional skiing adventure. Come as a solo, couple or group on a fixed date package in Feb or March, or customise your own package ......
Price p/p From price based on a fixed date 7-day heliskiing package tour, double occupancy accommodation.
Base/invoice currency is in EUR incl taxes.
USD 9,457
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See all Heli Skiing tours that visit Kosovo here

Cat Skiing Tours

Lynx Freeride Cat Skiing Packages
BACKCOUNTRY CAT SKIING PACKAGES
8 Days | 7 Nights | 6 Days Cat Skiing
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Let the Balkans adventure begin with Lynx Freeride cat skiing in Kosovo. Amazing powder ski packages in the Accursed Mountains with 6 full days of cat skiing & snowboarding inclusive of accommodation & all meals. Join a fixed date tour or organise a private tour with your own group of friends ......
Price p/p From price based on 8-day fixed date package during low season, twin share accommodations
Base/invoice currency is in EUR inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,958
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Nord Freeride Cat Skiing Packages
GUIDED CAT SKIING PACKAGE
4 or 8 Days | 4 or 7 Nights | 3 or 6 Days Cat Skiing
Ability: Intermediate to Advanced
Great value catskiing on the remote north side of the Sharr Mountains in Kosovo. With a maximum of 12 guests/tour, ride up to 3,500m vertical/day on descents up to 7km long. Standard packages include 6-days of cat skiing, all meals & drinks, transfers & accommodation. Go solo or in a group & join a 4 or 8-day tour ...
Price p/p From price based on 8-day Sunday to Sunday package, twin share
Base/invoice currency is in EUR inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 1,990
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Freeride Kosovo Catskiing
GUIDED BACKCOUNTRY CATSKIING
Weeklong, 1-day & Single Ride Packages
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Experience a true adventure cat-skiing in the 'Freeride Zone', a mountain playground in the Accursed Mountains, Kosovo. Spectacular terrain & snow plus wonderful food & accommodation will make this tour unforgettable. Join a week-long all inclusive tour, or customise private catskiing with your own group.
Price p/p From price based on a 8-day catskiing program, double occupancy accommodation for groups of 8-guests or more.
Base/invoice currency is in EUR incl taxes.
USD 2,325
View Details
 
See all Cat Skiing tours that visit Kosovo here