Cat Skiing in the Balkans: Europe’s #1 Off-Piste Skiing Adventure
Off-piste skiing is the only natural solution to the crowded ski resorts. We invite you to the Shar Planina to experience the purest form of skiing – cat skiing.
150km2
wild ski area
3500m+
daily descents
0
lift queues
100%
good times
A TRUE FREERIDING PARADISE
Explore the wild and untamed Shar Planina. Escape the modern, established ski resort and immerse yourself in raw, untouched powder in a true backcountry skiing experience. A vast, uninhabited horizon, embracing your cozy lodgings to touch base and recover.
SKI WHERE YOU SHOULDN’T
The huge Shar Mountain Plateau stretches across 150sq km, from North Macedonia to Kosovo. From wide open faces to steep couloirs, to natural pipes and mesmerizing pine forests, the Shar Terrain is wild and stunning.
MORE POWDER THAN SCARFACE
Mount the rumbling ski cat to elevating peaks up to 2600m+. These high areas are frequently are blessed with reliable snow from December to late April. This off-piste skiing experience will mesmerize even experienced skiers and snowboarders.
Accommodation
Transportation
Snow Cat Rent
Safety Equipment
2 Guides/Group
3000+ meters/day
CAT SKI POPOVA SHAPKA, NORTH MACEDONIA
Daily fresh lines up to 3000 vertical meters are the norm during your stay in Macedonia’s part of the Shar terrain. No matter the weather conditions, the feeling of freedom in this freeriding paradise is unmatched.
The base of operations is a 4* hotel in the resort Popova Shapka, at the very top of the Shar Mountains. A hotel with a restaurant, bar, ski room, laundry service and a spa center with two saunas, a swimming pool, gym, and table tennis. Easily reachable from surrounding airports in Skopje, Ohrid, Pristina, Thessaloniki, and Sofia.
CAT SKI IN ZAPLLUXHE VILLAGE, KOSOVO
All of the runs in Kosovo’s share of the Shar are faced North. They start from 2400m to 2600m with average an average of 2000m descents. The cat-skiing freeriding terrains are gigantic, and include tree runs for foggy days. One thing is guaranteed - you will NEVER run the same line for the whole week.
Based just North of Zaplluxhe village, just an hour and 20 minutes from Prishtina International Airport, a modern lodge stands, ready to serve you as a cat skiing hub. Brand new villas with stunning views, traditional local cuisine, and a snow cat at your doorstep.
BALKAN CAT SKIING ADVENTURE COMBO
Can’t decide between Macedonia and Kosovo? Just do both!
Our combo adventure gives you 4 days in each location , for a total of 8 days of fresh wild off-piste skiing in the Balkans.
We can arrange transport between the two camps, which is only a 1.5 hour drive - so you don’t waste precious time that ca be spent on the thrilling Shar descents.
WE KNOW OUR SNOW
This is not your typical ski resort, so staying safe is our number 1 priority. 2 professional guides are provided for each Snowcat group – one front and one tail guide for optimal safety).
Our team has years of experience and European certifications to handle deep snow and a variety of snow conditions. You’ll find that off-piste snow skiing is unlike your regular piste slope – but we’ve got you covered.
Every trip includes (in the price):
- 2x Seasoned Expert Guides
- Quality-checked vehicle
- Avalanche safety training
- Transceiver beacon and ABS avalanche bag
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Cat skiing is an off-piste ski touring activity, originated in British Columbia, Canada. By riding on the ski cat vehicle, skiers and snowboarders can go to natural snow areas and peaks that are much higher and more solitary than your usual marked run at a ski resort.
Because of the high altitude, the Shar Mountain is often blessed with snowstorms which cover it with deep snow from later December to late April.
Yes, our team can provide optional ski and snowboarding equipment for hire for a comfortable and enjoyable skiing experience.
Traditional local cuisine is included for both adventures – breakfast, lunch and dinner.
For Macedonia, the base is at Popova Shapka, which can be easily reached from many surrounding airports – Skopje, Ohrid, Pristina, Thessaloniki and Sofia. Several airlines serve the airport from all major destinations in Europe and the U.K. From experience Wizz Air provide some the most affordable fairs. Transfers are included for groups of 6 or more from the listed airports. UK and EU citizens are allowed into Macedonia without the need for a visa.
For Kosovo, the base is at Skarpa Lodge near the village of Zaplluxhe. The closest major airport is near the Kosovan capital of Pristina. The Pristina (PRN) International Airport is around 101km, and less than ½hr drive. Skarpa Lodge is accessible by a fully sealed all-weather road. Our team can arrange transfers from and to the airport. Flights to Pristina are available from most major European airports including Munich, Frankfurt, Paris CDG, Geneva, Zurich & Vienna, all major Scandinavian airports & London-Luton in the UK.
You need to be an experienced skier if you wish to tackle off-piste terrain. Freeriding experience is recommended, but a good level of fitness and riding confidence is mandatory. Piste skiers quickly learn that wild powder is very different to the snow on regulated piste courses.