Typical 7-Day Macedonia Ski Touring Safari Itinerary
A typical itinerary for a classic Macedonian Ski Touring is below. Extra ski days, longer stays at locations, cat-skiing days, travel days & sightseeing can all be added depending on the wishes of the group (plus the snow & weather conditions).
Day 1: Arrival in Nth Macedonia
Fly into Skopje airport (or Pristina, Sofia, Thessaloniki), on your request we will organize airport transfer for you. You be met by your driver and transferred to Popova Shapka & your accommodation in the 4-star Hotel Scardus. Get to know your hosts & guides while enjoying a meal & drink in the restaurant.
Day 2: Tito’s Peak (2,748m)
Ski touring trip to Tito’s Peak (2,748m), the highest peak in the Shar Mountains. Snow cat assisted ski tour. Take an early ride up with a snowcat to 2,550m, from where you continue along the ridge toward Tito’s Peak. After the ascent of the peak, a long ski down an easterly exposed cirque valley toward the area of Gorna Leshnica at 1,800m. A skin up to the ridge of peak Plat is followed by a nice ski down to the road at around 1,600m altitude. From there the group can have a pickup from the snowcat or tour back to Popova Shapka and ski down to your hotel where a relaxing evening with a spa and traditional dinner awaits.
Accommodation: Hotel Scardus.
Total ascent for the day: 1,450m (includes cat trip)
Ski down: 1,200m
Length: 18 km
Day 3: Koblica Peak (2,528m)
Early breakfast and checkout. Drive to Vejce village, about 1 hour. Ski touring trip to Kobilica Peak (2,528m). You may carry the skies for about 100m vertical to get to the snow line, and from there start touring in gentle pastures until you access to the base of Kobilica peak. Kobilica is one of the most scenic peaks in the Shar Mountains, located on the border between North Macedonia and Kosovo. The second part of the tour is steeper and approaches the ridge of the peak, from where a great view toward the two countries opens. Choose a line to ski down, from a massive east or south aspect face, all the way to the village. After the descent, a late lunch in the village and then transfer to Trnica in Mavrovo National Park
Accommodation: Korab Trnica hotel.
Ascent/descent for the day: 1,300m
Length. 14 km
Day 4: Kepi Bard (2638m)
Ski touring to Kepi Bard. After an early breakfast, be picked up by 4X4 vehicles and transported to the starting point of our tour, at about 1,450m altitude. Tour through a nice beech forest, then exit the forest to see the multiple peaks and possible lines for descent. Tour up a valley which leads to a beautiful ridge toward Kepi Bard (or the White-hat Peak). Kepi Bard is positioned right before Korab, the highest peak in both Macedonia and Albania. At the base of the peak, you will see the east and northeast exposed valley awaiting the descent. The last part of the tour up may need crampons so the group can exit from top of the peak. From there, choose the most appealing and/or safe option for descent - from long steep faces to playful gullies. Ski down, then with a small traverse in the end; you are able to reach our starting point. Load the 4x4’s and drive toward Ohrid, the UNESCO protected cultural and natural heritage site. Settle into a hotel in the city centre and dine out, enjoying the beautiful scenery and the memories of the fabulous day’s skiing.
Accommodation: Hotel Nova Riviera 4*.
Ascent/descent for the day: 1,300m
Length: 14 km
Day 5: Magaro Peak (2,254m)
Ski touring on Magaro peak, Galichica National Park. The highest area of Galichica is positioned perfectly dividing the two biggest natural lakes in North Macedonia, Prespa and Ohrid. The mountain itself offers beautiful ski touring possibilities, where on a good day you feel like skiing from sea to summit. The highest in Galichica, Magaro, is 2,254m high and offers great terrain for skiing. The choice can be steep couloirs or wide playful meadows, all of which are spiced up with a great view toward the lakes. After the ski down, it is almost mandatory to enjoy a fine beer by the lake.
Accommodation: Hotel Nova Riviera 4*
Ascent/descent for the day: 750m
Length: 14 km
Day 6: Yablanica Mountain (2,200m)
Ski touring on Yablanica Mountain. After breakfast, checkout and drive for about 45 minutes to the outskirts of the city of Struga and the village Gorna Belica, the starting point of the day. Start touring at 1,450m through a beautiful beech forest and exit on a high mountain plateau. From there the group can choose the ascent to Chumin Peak or Black Rock Peak, both just above 2,200m. Chumin peak offers a wonderful line toward Albania, as well as several short, steep gullies. Black Rock Peak, which is the higher of the mountains, offers a great bowl for skiing. Once again, a beautiful view opens toward Ohrid Lake, with several mountain ranges in Albania also catching our eye.
Accommodation: Hotel Nova Riviera 4*
Ascent/descent for the day: 750m
Length: 13 km
Day 7; Sightseeing & Departure
Breakfast and checkout. Drive to Skopje & on the way visit some ancient monasteries if time allows.
Alternate Days (or Additional Days)
Alternate Day 5: Sightseeing & Travel to Albania
In the morning, check out and visit St. John the Baptist monastery in Mavrovo National Park. A short hike to Duf waterfalls in the vicinity and then lunch in the village of Yanche. Arrive in Radomire village in Albania by early afternoon, where accommodation will be in a rustic, basic lodge at the base of Korab peak. Enjoy a traditional Albanian dinner and plan the next day’s tour while having a local beer. Overnight in Hadi’s home stay or hotel at Radomire.
Alternate Day 6: Korab Peak (2,764m)
Ski touring to Korab peak from Albania. After breakfast, start touring from the village of Radomire. Skis may need to be carried for about 100m vertical before the snow line is reached. Pass through a short, steep, forest section and exit in the valley of Korab. With the peak to the east, you will see multiple steep rock face entries under the summit. The steepest section is right before we exit the ridge and start touring on the border between Macedonia and Albania. The group may need to use boot crampons. From the ridge you will see Kepi Bard, the peak skied two days before and soon after you will top the King of Kings, Mt. Korab at 2,764 meters. Ski down the valley that was the upward route, with multiple choices to find the best lines possible. Descend to Radomire for some well-deserved lunch and nice cold beer. Drive to Prizren in the afternoon/early evening to the hotel accommodation and enjoy one of the most beautiful cities in the Balkans.
Ascent/descent for the day: 1,500m
Length: 18 km
NOTE: This itinerary is a guide only. The tour is dictated by the weather each day and the wishes of your group. Your host & guide will seek the best conditions snow conditions whenever possible. That’s the beauty of a guided tour!