- Catski in Europe
- Pelister National Park
Untouched Powder. Catski in Macedonia.
Snowcat skiing and snowboarding in Pelister National Park — one of Europe’s last undiscovered freeride destinations. Guided powder days, full-board mountain hotel, and terrain that’s reliable in any weather.
€1050
From per person
3–5
Days of riding
Dec–Apr
Season
2 guides
Per snowcat, always
Cat Skiing in Pelister National Park
Pelister is North Macedonia’s oldest national park and one of the Balkans’ best-kept secrets for freeride skiing and snowboarding. While the rest of Europe queues for groomed pistes, you’ll be riding untracked lines in a family-run, small-group operation — one of the only snowcat operations in the national park.
Three snowcats work this terrain, where the ratio of riders to untouched mountain is simply extraordinary. Powder days here are the rule, not the exception. This is cat skiing and snowboarding the way it should be: intimate, guided, and completely off the beaten track.
For more on what cat skiing actually involves, read our definitive guide to cat skiing in Europe →
Pelister National Park
North Macedonia's oldest national park — remote, wild, and snow-sure
3 Snowcats Operating
Only cat ski operation in the park — maximum 3 cats vs 15 elsewhere
Family-Run Operation
Hotel and snowcat operation run by the same local family — personal, genuine, excellent
Affordable Cat Skiing
Fraction of heli-ski prices. Full-board, guided, all safety gear included from €1050pp
Freeride Like It Used to Be
Wild Snow, Not Groomed Pistes
Pelister's terrain is entirely off-piste. You'll ride open faces, tree lines, natural couloirs, and mountain bowls — all untouched. The snowcat takes you back up so you can ride fresh lines all day.
Truly Undiscovered
With only 3 cats running in the entire national park, you will not see another group on your lines. This is the anti-ski-resort experience — no queues, no crowds, no orange fencing.
Hotel at the Mountain's Edge
Hotel Šumski Feneri sits right on the edge of the terrain. Pool, sauna, spa, restaurant — and the snowcat departs from the door. After the mountain, everything you need is steps away.
Balkans Culture Baked In
North Macedonia is a wine country with extraordinary cuisine. Add a Tikveš winery visit, explore the ancient city of Stobi, or take a day in Bitola. The culture here is as rich as the terrain.
Easy to Reach from Europe
Skopje International Airport is just 2.5 hours from the hotel. Multiple airports serve the region — Ohrid just 1 hour away. Transfers are included for groups of 4 or more from Skopje.
Skiers & Snowboarders Welcome
Skiing and snowboarding on equal footing. All- mountain powder boards and freeride skis available to hire. If you've never cat skied before, the guides will have you riding confidently from day one.
How Many Days Do You Want?
No fixed departure dates — you choose when to go. Available December through April. Solo riders and groups both welcome. All prices per person, twin-share.
3 Day Cat Ski
€1,050
per person, twin-share
Day 1: Arrival & dinner · Days 2–4: Cat skiing · Day 5: Airport transfer
- 3 days fully guided cat skiing
- 4 nights twin-share accommodation
- Breakfast, mountain lunch, dinner & snacks
- Pool & spa access
- Airport transfers (groups 4+)
- Avalanche safety equipment incl. backpack
- 2 professional guides per snowcat
4 Day Cat Ski
€1,350
per person, twin-share
Day 1: Arrival & dinner · Days 2–5: Cat skiing · Day 6: Airport transfer
- 4 days fully guided cat skiing
- 5 nights twin-share accommodation
- Breakfast, mountain lunch, dinner & snacks
- Pool & spa access
- Airport transfers (groups 4+)
- Avalanche safety equipment incl. backpack
- 2 professional guides per snowcat
5 Day Cat Ski
€1,650
per person, twin-share
Day 1: Arrival & dinner · Days 2–6: Cat skiing · Day 7: Airport transfer
- 5 days fully guided cat skiing
- 6 nights twin-share accommodation
- Breakfast, mountain lunch, dinner & snacks
- Pool & spa access
- Airport transfers (groups 4+)
- Avalanche safety equipment incl. backpack
- 2 professional guides per snowcat
Single occupancy supplement: €30/night. Transfer supplement for groups under 4 from Skopje: €60–100. Equipment hire: €25/day.
Your Week in Pelister
⏱ A Typical Riding Day
- 07:30
- Breakfast & Daily Briefing
Conditions, routes, and plan for the day
- 08:30
- Load the Snowcat
Depart from the hotel door
- 09:00
- First Runs 🎿
Fresh lines. Untouched powder.
- 12:00
- Mountain Lunch
Hot meal at a traditional mountain hut, ~1600m altitude
- 16:00
- End of Skiing
Timing varies with daylight and group strength
- 16:30
- Debrief
Plan for tomorrow’s riding
- 19:00
- Dinner
Three-course evening meal at the hotel
Pelister's Freeride Playground
Pelister National Park’s winter landscape offers a variety of terrain that rewards both first-time cat skiers and seasoned off-piste veterans. Open faces, natural gullies, pine forest lines, and pristine ridge descents — variety every single day.
The snowcat takes you to the high ground so that every run is a descent, and every descent is untouched. Unlike larger operations with 15+ cats running the same terrain, Pelister’s exclusivity means your lines stay yours.
Season runs December through April. The high altitude ensures reliable snow throughout — with the best powder windows typically in January and February.
2,601m
Highest peak
3 cats
In the national park
Dec–Apr
Season
Age 13+
Minimum age
Hotel Šumski Feneri
Where the Mountain Meets Comfort
Hotel Šumski Feneri is a family-run mountain hotel operated by the same team behind the snowcat operation. It’s located on the edge of the national park — your base, your retreat, and the place the snowcat departs from each morning.
17 rooms across twin, double, triple, and suite configurations — with 3 suites each offering two separate bedrooms, ideal for small groups. Four single rooms available. All rooms have private bathrooms.
The hotel restaurant serves traditional Macedonian and international cuisine, with generous portions of freshly made food. Any dietary requirements can be accommodated — just let us know in advance.
- Swimming pool
- Restaurant & bar
- Laundry service
- WiFi throughout
- Sauna & spa
- Ski equipment room
- On-site masseuse
- Snowcat from the door
Gear & Safety Equipment
Ski & Snowboard Hire
High-quality freeride equipment available to hire in case you are not traveling with gear. All equipment maintained to professional standard.
- Freeride skis
- Snowboards (all-mountain & powder)
- Poles
- Ski & snowboard servicing available
ABC/ABS Safety Equipment
All guests are equipped with a full avalanche safety kit. Your guides will brief you on usage during the Day 1 safety demonstration. You’re welcome to bring your own equipment if you prefer.
- Avalanche transceiver / beacon
- Probe
- Shovel
- Backpack
- ABS airbag backpack (subject to availability)
Beyond the Mountain
North Macedonia has one of the Balkans’ great wine cultures. The Tikveš wine region produces exceptional wines which you can explore from the comfort of the hotel.
€50
Wine Tasting Dinner
A Tikveš winery representative comes to Hotel Šumski Feneri for a guided tasting dinner. The perfect way to end a riding week without going anywhere.
€100
Airport Wine Tasting
Stop at the Tikveš winery en route to Skopje Airport on departure day. A final Macedonian memory on your way home.
€150
Full Day Wine Experience
A full day at Tikveš winery plus a visit to the ancient Stobi archaeological site. Wine, history, and Macedonian sunshine — a perfect rest day from the mountain.
Additional activities including visits to Bitola and Skopje available on request. Prices on enquiry.
Getting to Pelister
North Macedonia is well-served by budget airlines from across Europe, including Wizz Air from many UK and EU airports. Multiple entry points make it easy to get here.
- 🇲🇰 Skopje (SKP)
- 2.5 hrs
- 🇲🇰 Ohrid (OHD)
- 1 hrs
- 🇬🇷 Thessaloniki (SKG)
- 3 hrs
- 🇲🇰 Visa Requirements
What's Included
Cat Skiing / Snowboarding
Fully guided days from hotel door — up to 5 full days depending on package
Accommodation
Up to 6 nights at Hotel Šumski Feneri, twin-share, private bathrooms
Full Board Meals
Breakfast, mountain lunch with snacks, and 3-course dinner daily
Pool & Spa Access
Pool, sauna, and spa area included throughout your stay
Airport Transfers
Return transfer from Skopje Airport for groups of 4 or more
Avalanche Safety Equipment
Transceiver, probe, shovel, and backpack — ABC/ABS kit for every rider
Professional Guides
Two qualified guides per snowcat throughout all riding days
Not Included
- Flights (not included — book independently)
- Travel insurance (required — must cover off-piste skiing)
- Alcoholic drinks (available at bar prices)
- Ski & snowboard equipment hire (€25/day)
- Transfers for groups under 4 from Skopje (supplement applies)
- Single room supplement (€30/night)
- Optional experiences: wine tasting, day trips
Guided & Protected
2 Guides Per Snowcat
Every snowcat group has a front guide and a tail guide. Maximum 1:7 guide-to-guest ratio. Your guides know this mountain well and adapt every run to conditions and group ability.
Full Avalanche Kit
Every rider is equipped with an ABC/ABS kit — transceiver, probe, shovel, and backpack included in all packages. Safety briefing on arrival. You're welcome to bring your own kit.
All-Weather Terrain
Whiteout conditions? Pelister has tree-lined runs that allow safe riding in any weather. Your guides will always find you rideable terrain. Rest days in the hotel are also always an option.
Difficulty: Moderate
You need to be confident skiing or snowboarding off-piste without assistance, with a reasonable level of fitness. You do not need prior cat skiing experiencec. Minimum age 13.
Confident Off-Piste
Required skill level
Age 13+
Minimum age
No Cat Experience Needed
Guides handle the rest
December Through April
Pelister’s altitude ensures reliable snow across a long season. Peak powder windows are typically January and February. Exact availability is condition- dependent — enquire for your preferred dates.
December
January
February
March
April
Explore Our Freeride World
You need to be confident skiing or snowboarding off-piste without assistance, with a reasonable level of fitness. You do not need prior cat skiing experiencec. Minimum age 13.
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Ready to Ride Pelister?
Tell us your preferred dates and group size. We’ll confirm availability and take it from there. No fixed departures — you choose when to go.
Full balance required on confirmation of dates · Solos and groups welcome · Age 13+
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