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Resort Guide

Suitability	Resort height: 1770m
Families:		[No]
Glacier:		[No]
Beginners:		[4]
Intermediates:		[3]
Advanced:		[3]
Snowboarding:		[4]

Known to its friends and fans as ‘Kop,’ Serbia’s leading ski resort is located within a large national park of great beauty. Although the lift-served vertical is very small compared to most resorts in the brochure, it somehow packs a respectable 45km (28 miles) of runs in to the area. Kopaonik has a reputation as a lively resort with a good range of facilities off the ski slopes. Despite its southerly latitude it also has a good snow record with north facing slopes helping to stop snow melt. Many accommodations have ski-to-your-door convenience.

The resort was popular before the Balkan wars and, since the end of hostilities has rapidly gained ground once again, this time boasting some impressive new lifts as well as the same low prices for Western European skiers.

Beginners

First time skiers have the most to gain from learning to ski in Serbia. There is intense competition for a place in Kopaonik’s excellent ski school amongst wannabe instructors, so the result is that tuition standards are high from English speaking instructors. The majority of the slopes are suited to beginners, with the ski school meeting place close to the village centre. Most tour operators offer learn-to-ski deals that include lift tickets, equipment hire and tuition. This is where Serbia, like Romania and Bulgaria, comes in to its own with costs around a third of that in the Alps for this kind of all-inclusive deal.

Intermediates

Quite a good option for early intermediates, Kopaonik’s slopes are predominantly blue with seven reds that are mostly at the easier end of the scale. With ski lessons so well organised and so affordable, it’s a good place to progress your technique. Trails are up to 3.5km (just over two miles) long and there has been recent investment in new quad chairs to make it easier to get around the mountain. There is also the option of floodlit skiing in the evening at an additional cost.

Advanced

Despite the small vertical and lack of many challenging runs, as Serbia’s main ski area Kopaonik has managed to build something of a reputation for its advanced skiing options. There are three pistes that have received accreditation by the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS)– the body which organises World Cup level ski competition and European contests and these are sometimes staged in Kopaonik. The runs are suited to slalom, giant slalom, super G and downhill. Off piste skiing is also popular with local guides but it is particularly important to ensure that your insurance covers you for off-piste skiing if you indulge.

Snowboarding

Although there are no guaranteed terrain park type facilities in Kopaonik, it is a popular resort with boarders, in good part because of the young and lively atmosphere on the slopes and in resort. Affordability is another big factor, not least for the ‘beginner’ or ‘improver’ package deals on snowboard rental, tuition and lift ticket which, as with skiing, costs around a third of the equivalent package at many resorts in the Alps. For advanced boarders there can be good powder to be had, but ensure you take a local Guide and that your insurance covers heading off piste in Serbia!

Other Activities and Facilities

Many of Kopaonik’s facilities are offered within the major hotel complexes and are open to non-residents. The Grand hotel has a nice swimming pool and spa complex and a multi sports centre with tennis, squash and table tennis.

In the resort you can try snowmobiling, enjoy a sleigh ride, try ice skating or go tobogganing. You can also take an excursion to visit local vineyards and historic buildings in the region.

Other resort facilities include a selection of shops, a post office and a medical facility (note that any medical services may require advance payment in cash with a receipt provided so that you can reclaim from your insurance company afterwards).

Après Ski and Dining Out

Kopaonik has a good selection of bars and restaurants as well as several nightclubs open to the early hours with costs again far lower than in the Alps.

Food available varies from international cuisine such as pizza to local Serbian cuisine such as pljeskabvica – grilled minced meat. Indeed carnivores delight and vegetarians beware that meat is a key component of most Serbian cuisine. The Koala pizzerias is popular, as is Kopanièki Vajat for Serbian food. For the full-on experience you can sign up for a Serbian themed evening.

Families

Although not really promoted as a family location, Kopaonik does have the advantage of offering some quality accommodation, excellent tuition and family activities and dining at far lower prices than the Alps, which means substantial savings when multiplied by three or more family members.

There are no organised nurseries either non-ski or for young skiers, but the ski school does offer children’s ski school with English speaking teachers in relatively narrow age/ability bands of six and seven year olds, eight to 10 year olds and 11 to 15 years olds.

Accommodation in Kopaonik

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