Holidays in Serbian Kopaonik, an affordable ski resort in Europe

The largest and most popular winter holiday destination in the Republic of Serbia is the ski resort of Kopaonik. It is located on the mountain range of the same name, which made it possible to make a developed infrastructure, several trails of varying complexity. Experienced athletes and skiing enthusiasts can try their hand here.

Description of the resort

This place is well suited for an active and relaxing holiday. The sports base is located on the slopes of a mountain range, the length of which is 100 km. Nearby are the peaks of the mountains Panichev VRH, Suvo Rudiste and Flat Kopaonik . The maximum height reaches 2017 m above sea level. The camp site is located on the territory of the national park, which allows you to take beautiful photos.

General description of the sports complex:

• The season starts in November and ends in April.
• 200 sunny days a year.
• There are ski schools for adults and children from 7 years old.
• There is a snow park for snowboarders, which is equipped with various obstacles.
• A sledding service is offered.

Nearby are historical and natural attractions. It is recommended to visit the monastery “Studenitsa”, “Zhicha” (Royal Lavra). Guided tours of the national reserve are organized.

The official website of the ski complex “Kopaonik” has a detailed description of the infrastructure – hotels, hotels, guest houses. There are baths, saunas, there are several billiard rooms. For children there are playgrounds, entertainment events are organized.

How to get there

The nearest international airport is located in Belgrade. From it you need to get to the bus station, from where regular flights depart to the tourist complex. The distance from the capital is 260 km. Travel time is 4-5 hours. Ticket price – 10-15 Euro. You can also rent a car, book a transfer or take the electric train.

Ways to get to the resort:

• Buses. They follow from the Belgrade bus station, the frequency is 40-50 minutes. There is not always room to accommodate a large amount of luggage.
• Train. You need to buy tickets to the station Rudnica, regular buses follow from it to the camp site. Distance – 12 km.
• Transfer order. This can be done on the official website of the Kopaonik ski resort or when booking a hotel room. This method is convenient for large groups of tourists and independent travelers.

An alternative is to rent a car at the international airport. To do this, you need a license, a passport and a bank card. This is convenient for a long trip around the country, when a short stop at a sports complex is planned.

Descent map

The advantage of active recreation in the sports complex is the ability to choose tracks according to complexity and length. A detailed map of the slopes of the ski resort Kopaonik is available on the official website. A total of 22 tracks were made, they are located on the slopes of the mountain of the same name. 22 lifts lead to them.

Description of slopes:

• The maximum height is 2017 m.
• The maximum height difference is 512 m.
• The total length of the tracks is 60 km.
• There are 9 ski lifts and 12 chair lifts, there are 2 children’s lifts.
• There is a descent with night lighting, but its length is only 450 m.

Many slopes have the FIS standard, they can be used for slalom and downhill skiing. The national team often trains here. You can do paragliding. The sledding area is located next to the Grand Hotel. This service must be booked in advance.

Prices for ski-pass – from 139 Euro for 6 days. You can buy a day pass, which costs 21 Euros. Ski equipment and equipment rental – from 54 Euro. The price depends on the chosen brand and configuration.

Accommodation at the camp site

To stay in the ski resort of Kopaonik, you can rent a hotel room or stay in the nearest village. Here, locals offer apartments or small guest houses. The rental price depends on the season, it rises for Christmas and New Year holidays. It is recommended to book hotel rooms 2-4 weeks before the start of the trip. This way you can save on early bookings.

Description of camp hotels:

• Grand Hotel & SPA 4*. Located at the highest point of the resort, at an altitude of 1770 meters above sea level. Features – developed infrastructure, the area of the SPA center – 1800 m². there are several saunas, baths, there is a salt ice cave. The restaurants serve European and Serbian cuisine.
• Gray Hotel Kopaonik 4*. Located in the village of the same name. Advantage – prices are lower than in the Grand Hotel. 4 lifts are located 150 m from the entrance. There is also a spa center and a large indoor pool. Guests enjoy free Wi – Fi . Additionally, there are rooms for storing equipment and equipment.

The food at the resort is varied. You can book a hotel room with breakfast or full board. There are restaurants and bars in the hotels, but for tasting national cuisine, you can visit small cafes in the village.