Ski Slovakia

[Mr MXT]

A group of friends are thinking of a trip to Slovakia next year on the basis that its cheap. I'd rather pay a bit more and go somewhere a bit more well known.

The group will be approx 12, skiers and boarders of mixed ability. Some complete beginners. We're looking for good pistes and good apres ski.

As a boarder, I'm worried its going to be button lifts everywhere, poor pistes and zero Apres ski.

So does anyone have any experience? I'd rather pay more and go to St Anton.

Edited by Mr MXT on Wednesday 14th September 10:43

[andrew311]

Mr MXT said:

A group of friends are thinking of a trip to Slovakia next year on the basis that its cheap. I'd rather pay a bit more and go somewhere a bit more well known.

The group will be approx 12, skiers and boarders of mixed ability. Some complete beginners. We're looking for good pistes and good apres ski.

As a boarder, I'm worried its going to be button lifts everywhere, poor pistes and zero Apres ski.

So does anyone have any experience? I'd rather pay more and go to St Anton.

Edited by Mr MXT on Wednesday 14th September 10:43

What sort of prices are you getting? Allot of investment has been pouring into Slovakia in recent years. I can't vouch for the prices after joing the Euro but the main attraction was always the overall cost, quiet pistes and a different mountian range to the Alps so if conditions aren't great in the Alps they may be in the Tatras. Chopok-Jasna is the largest area with others in the high Tatras.

Remember it isn't the alps, smallers areas, less choice of runs and so on. It's popular with short breaks as you struggle to get shorter breaks in the Alps. Has some very nice spas so popular with UK hen parties, lift infrustructure is decent if not particulary fast.

I'd do a usual cost benefit analysis. Will it compare to a resort such as St Anton? Not a chance. St Anton is probably the best Apres and Ski package in the world. However if you do your research it's not the best resort for beginners or even nervous intermediates as it's a relatively steep mountain (there are beginner suitible areas though). Be selfish and head to St Anton, let the beginners get a baptism of fire.

ETA

One thing to note is that the winds can be savage on average more so than the alps 'they say' plus it can get 'misty' even up top at high altitude with less sunshine than the Alps.

Edited by andrew311 on Wednesday 14th September 13:44

[GreatGranny]

Friends of our went to Bulgaria last year because it was cheap. I got the impression that it was a disappointment but they were so proud of doing it for next to nothing they wouldn't comment when asked.
I know its not Slovakia but it another budget place.

[andrew311]

It might sound odd me saying this but don't go to Bulgaria, there's nothing about it that would ever want to make me choose it as a skiing holiday so much so I'd rather go without or miss a season so I could do a proper holdiay the next year....

It might be fine for those who know no better and have been no where else or total beginners but the snow record and to a lesser exent the infrastructure just put me off. Will be no good for anyone like yourself who has skied/boarded in the Alps.

The cost of getting there (flights and accom) doesn't even seem 'that' cheap anymore. I'm sure there'll be people who will say they've had cracking holidays skiing in Bulgaria but I wonder how many will have skiied 'proper' areas......