North-Makedonia cat skiing week
Cat skiing in Balkans!
North Macedonia is a small country in the Balkans. The village of Popova is about a two-hour drive from the capital, Skopje, located at the foot of the Šar Mountains. The highest point of the Šar Mountains, Titov Vrv (Tito's Peak), rises to an elevation of 2,748 meters, and many peaks accessible by snowcats exceed 2,400 meters.
Your guides
Vesa Rouvila
Your guide in North-Macedonia is Vesa Rouvila and local mountain guides.
Vesa Rouvila
Your guide in North-Macedonia is Vesa Rouvila and local mountain guides.
North-Makedonia cat skiing week
Program of the week
The trip includes five cat skiing days, from Sunday to Thursday.
The usual departure time from the hotel is around 9:00 AM, with a return to the hotel by 5:00 PM at the latest. Dinner is served at the hotel around 7:00 PM.
At the end of the final skiing day, we will transfer to the city of Skopje, where we will spend the next two nights. Friday is a tourist day, where we can join a city tour, shop in the old bazaar, or hike up the nearby Vodno Mountain. We will decide on the day’s program with the group during the week. The return flight to home is on Saturday.
Flights and ground transport
Flights from Helsinki to North Macedonia and Skopje involve one layover. From Skopje, it’s about a two-hour drive to the village of Popova. Travel time may be extended if weather and snow conditions are challenging.
Trips are currently sold without flights, as airlines have not yet announced all their winter destinations.
Passport and visa
A visa is not required for Finnish citizens to enter Kosovo. Check your country's visa requirements.
Difficulty level
You can ski in varying snow and terrain conditions, including deep snow outside of groomed slopes.
Equipment
- We recommend bringing equipment that allows for ascents using your own strength (skins, snowshoes, or a splitboard). Sometimes we may need to hike short distances if the snowcat cannot reach the starting point for some reason. However, bringing this equipment is not mandatory, and it can be rented on-site if necessary.
- Avalanche safety equipment if you prefer to use your own. All necessary gear will be provided on-site. Off-piste/free-riding insurance.
- Freeride/off-pist incurance
Other
Trips are currently sold without flights, as airlines have not yet announced all their winter destinations. As of this writing (June 1, 2024), for example, Lufthansa flights to Skopje for that week cost around €330. Please note that ski transportation is not free in the lowest travel class, and you will need to book ski transportation when making your flight reservation.
Price
Price includes
- Airport transfers
- 5 nights’ accommodation in the village of Popova at Scardus Hotel with full board (breakfast, packed lunch, and dinner)
- Accommodation for the last two nights in Skopje
- 5 days of cat skiing with 2 guides in a group of 8-12 clients
- Avalanche safety day in Helsinki in the fall of 2024
- Carbon offsetting fee
Price excludes
- Flights
- Alcholic beverages
Accommodation
Five nights will be spent at the mid-range but cozy Scardus Hotel in the village of Popova, located at an elevation of just over 1,700 meters above sea level. The hotel has a spa area with a sauna and a swimming pool. Breakfast is a generous buffet in the local style.
The last two nights will be spent in the center of Skopje at the Alexander Hotel, right next to Alexander the Great Square.