Ski trips to Finland, Sweden, and even Italy and Austria have become relatively common. Kazakhstan, New Zealand, and Lesotho, with their resorts, are a bit far away. But what would be a truly unique, yet tolerably remote, ski trip destination in Europe? We suggest six countries where you probably haven't been skiing or snowboarding yet, and which can offer something exotic in one way or another even for experienced skiers.
Belarus – something truly unique
Belarus is not far from Estonia, but few have ever been there, let alone skied there. Although you need a visa to visit the country, getting one is not an insurmountable challenge. And there’s no need to worry about how your car will fare on Belarusian roads. Instead, you can rent a minibus, take out additional insurance, pack your friends in the vehicle, and hit the road. Despite the fact that Belarus is a relatively low-lying country, there are plenty of resorts to explore.
Silichi is located just 32 kilometers from the capital Minsk. A resort with trails for skiers and snowboarders of various abilities. In addition, it is possible to enjoy cross-country skiing, tubing, skiing, ice skating and snowmobiling. A little further from Minsk, in the village of Ruba, there is a smaller resort, where both natural and artificial mountains have been used to build the slopes. And although the trails are not very long, the surroundings are wonderful and this alone offers an interesting experience. Since the price level in Belarus is relatively low compared to Europe, even those who are not yet sure whether they like winter sports can safely take a ski trip there. If it turns out that they do not, there are enough hotels, restaurants, saunas and spas in the area to make the most of their vacation.
Georgia – ski even while flying
Georgia's wine and tea plantations are well-known. But what about ski resorts? Gudauri, located in the Greater Caucasus, is the country's highest and largest resort. The highest lift takes you to 3285 meters and 57 kilometers of ski trails mean that there is something for beginners and experts alike. In addition to the usual ski trails, you can enjoy heliskiing, or skiing, where you are taken to the top of the mountain by helicopter and then come down on a snowboard or skis. Extreme sports fans can start learning speedriding or skiing and parachuting down a mountain.
Another famous ski area in Georgia is in the Mestia area. Khatsvali is a paradise for those who want to ski off-piste to enjoy soft powder snow. The second and newer resort is Tetnuldi, whose highest point is at 3045 meters and more than half of the slopes are of the “difficult” level. Tetnuldi is wilder and even less visited than Gudauri, so if you want to ski in a truly rare place, this should be your first choice.
For those who think that going to Georgia by car is too complicated, there is a solution. Hiking club Elamus Pluss will gladly take on the responsibility of organizing your ski trip, and you can only enjoy the wonderful undiscovered resorts and make others jealous with your stories when you get home.
Bulgaria and Romania – not just for beach holidays
Like Georgia, Bulgaria is also associated with warm weather and, of course, golden beaches on the Black Sea coast. However, in Bulgaria it is possible to engage in winter sports at a quite respectable level. The history of the Borovets ski resort dates back to the 19th century, so this is not a new trend at all. The slopes of Borovets are beautiful, well-maintained, and if you want, you can also ski between the trees. It is also a good choice for beginners, as the resort has enough instructors who teach in English.
And if you're planning a trip to Bulgaria, you might as well take a detour to neighboring Romania. The ski resort of Poiana Brasov is located in the Carpathians and has an Olympic-level slope. And when the sun goes down, it doesn't mean the skiing is over, as the resort also offers night skiing!
Poland – unexpectedly good
While Otepää is the winter capital of Estonia, Zakopane holds the title of winter capital of Poland. The city in southern Poland has been making a name for itself as a winter destination since the 1880s. The development of the ski resort is in full swing, but there are already other things to do there besides skiing and snowboarding. It is true that Zakopane is an extremely popular destination, so other resorts should be considered for shorter queues.
Kasprowy Wierch is the highest resort in Poland, big enough to cater for expert skiers. Karpacz is best suited for beginners and advanced skiers and is also known as a good destination for families. A little further north from Zakopane are Kotelnica and Bania, which together form the largest ski resort in Poland.
Latvia – right next to home
And by the way, you don't have to travel far to get a unique experience. Who has been skiing in Latvia? If you haven't tried it yet, the creations of our southern neighbors are also worth visiting. The resorts closest to Estonia are Baiļi, and Ozolkalns and Zagarkalns are almost next to each other. Ozolkalns also has the longest slope in Latvia, 500 meters long, but the Riekstukalns resort near Riga has the most skiing in terms of total length. Latvia is also a good place for beginners, as all the instructors are qualified and the hourly rates are cheaper than in Estonia.
You can rent a minibus for your trip. www.rendibuss.ee