A winter holiday is a great way to relax and unwind during the colder months and the Tatra and Liptov Mountains provide a top alternative to other established European resorts.
Various compact ski resorts provide value for money without compromising on quality and the winter season brings plenty of fun challenges to the slopes. These are the mountains where Petra Vlhova, the current world champion in giant slalom, honed her skills.
The region shares several major ski areas and while the names may not be instantly recognisable, new guests are wowed by the trails, views and hospitality.
1. Tatranska Lomnica (High Tatras)
With 20km of ski slopes, Tatranska Lomnica is home to the longest ski run in Slovakia stretching out an impressive 5.5km in length. It is also the highest run in Central Europe starting from a lofty 2,196m above sea level, the descent runs from the Lomnica Pass to Tatranska Lomnica, challenging even the most adept of skiers. However, while most of the ski resort’s slopes are geared up for the upper intermediate, intermediate and beginner level of skier; there are six beginner blue routes in the lower part of the resort, with five medium difficulty routes and the previously mentioned single challenging slope for experienced skiers.
Did you know? When you land in Poprad-Tatry International Airport you can be on the slopes within one hour, because the nearest hotels in Tatranska Lomnica and Stary Smokovec are just ten minutes away
Tatranska Lomnica Ski Resort
2. Strbske Pleso Ski Resort (High Tatras)
Everything centres on Strbske Tarn, the “A-list” of pristine glacial mountain lakes, surrounded by the snowy peaks of the High Tatras, reflected in the water. The fairytale ski resort offers a full range of hotels to suit all budgets from the cosy to the luxurious. The 9km of marked slopes are suitable for beginners and intermediate level skiers, with the added advantage of 25km of cross-country ski trails.
Did you know? At 1,346m above sea level Strbske Pleso is the highest located village in the High Tatras
3. Jasna Ski Resort (Low Tatras)
Having held an FIS Ski World Cup in 2016 and being Central Europe’s largest ski resort, we can quite safely say that Jasna is Slovakia’s premier winter mountain resort. One of its great advantages is the amount of good quality off-piste skiing with 12 dedicated zones, which will have freeriders in raptures. The resort has 50km of marked trails around Mt. Chopok (second highest peak in the Low Tatras at 2,024m) with plenty of huts and chalets for some rest and relaxation.
Did you know? Research conducted by Altitude Ski School on some of Europe’s most Instagram-tagged ski resorts, found that Jasna Ski area to be in the top ten
Jasna Ski Resort (Image: Enjoy Tatras DMC)
4. Malino Brdo (Velka Fatra National Park)
One of the smaller resorts with 12km of marked trails, Malino Brdo does have one of the longest ski slopes in Slovakia at 3,900m. A carefully designed and shaped snow park provides an adrenalin hit for freestyle skiers and snowboarders with eight different obstacles. If you can peel yourself away from the slopes, a not-to-be-missed attraction is the UNESCO-listed 150-year old protected village of Vlkolinec and the Liptov Museum in Ruzomberok.
Did you know? The settlement of Vlkolinec is a short 20-minute walk from the top station of Malino Brdo’s eight-seater cable car
For more information on ski resorts see enjoytatras.com
Main image: Enjoy Tatras DMC
Top things to see and do in the High Tatras & Liptov region:
- Top 1: High Tatras voted No.1 by Lonely Planet in 2019
- Top 2: Slovakian food and drink
- Top 3: Water wellness and aquaparks
- Top 4: Ski resorts
- Top 5: Caves to visit in the region
- Top 6: Adrenaline and quirky cultural activities
- Top 7: Hiking and biking destinations
- Top 8: Instagram-worthy viewpoints
This project and its activities are implemented with financial support of the Ministry of Transport and Construction of the Slovak Republic
