Skiing in Montenegro
Looking for the best places to ski in Montenegro, whether you’re skiing with your family, friends, or looking for a solo adventure, now it’s time to grab your skis or snowboard, and let’s go!
What comes first to your mind when you think of “Montenegro“, do you picture the stunning Bay of Kotor, perhaps the amazing Beaches of Budva, or an idyllic seaside restaurant with gentle Mediterranean guitar tunes in the background?
Known primarily as a summer holiday destination, Montenegro has so much more to offer. Yes, the Adriatic Sea and the friendly, relaxed locals are stunning but Montenegro is also home to some stunning mountain ski resorts.
Are you a snowboard addict? A seasoned skiier or snow bunny or someone who likes the apres ski lifestyle? Whatever your predisposition, Montenegro is your perfect up-and-coming ski holiday destination.
From the dramatic Durmitor mountain range in the west to Mount Bjelasica and the Golden Valley in Kolasin, Montenegro has peaks and massifs in superabundance – with more than 80% of the country made up of mountains. Vistas for days or weeks, and you can finish off the day with a large bowl of Kacamak.
Kolasin 1450 & Kolasin 1600
Formerly two separate ski centers and now merged into a larger and more beautiful alpine resort, Kolasin 1450 & 1600 has something to offer for everyone: 5km of black slopes and 20km of red and blue slopes respectively.
Being one of the newest ski resorts in Europe, Kolasin 1450 & 1600 also comes with its fair share of modern ski lifts; this means that you do not have to worry too much about crowds being in your way.
The new Austrian-made Doppelmayr six-seater cable car will take you from the resort’s base station to an altitude of 2,035 meters in a heartbeat. And should you need to brush up on your ski skills, there is a good ski school ready to help.
What is a major plus about Kolasin is that its main streets have kept their charm: cobblestones, lined with local cafes and eateries specializing in savory and nutritious Montenegrin fare. Kolasin is such a cute and quaint little ski resort with friendly and down to earth locals and cheap prices.
Info: Children under the age of 14 years get a 30% discount on ski pass rates. Senior skiers above the age of 65 can enjoy the slopes at half the regular price.
How to get there
Kolasin is located 70 kilometers from Montenegro’s Capital of Podgorica, and 12 kilometers from the resort town of Kolasin. You can go from the slopes to the closest airport – which is in Podgorica TGD – in as little as one hour and fifteen minutes.
Montenegro’s coast is not far away either: within a 2 – 3 hour drive, you can be almost everywhere, from Kotor to Budva and even Ulcinj.
Savin Kuk in Zabljak
The slopes around Savin Kuk – the 2,313-meter-tall massif after which this ski resort is named – are a freeride paradise! A hidden gem that hasn’t quite gotten the recognition it deserves.
The quality and depth of the snow are usually excellent for skiing or boarding on some of the gorgeous off-piste trails. There is also no shortage of extreme freeride terrain, taking you over steep slopes and rocky underground.
If leaving the ski slopes sounds dangerous to you and if you are anything other than a beginner, you will likely get bored fast with the 5,500 meters of marked slopes Savin Kuk. But it’s a nice resort to learn skiing – lessons are incredibly cheap as is renting equipment.
Small children also seem to love it. That is why you will find many of them racing up and down the gentle slopes. Down in the valley, you will find restaurants serving hearty meals and local drinks. But expect no glitzy and ritzy destination, Savin Kuk is as far as you can be from that definition.
Ski Pass Fare: 12€ per day for adults
How to get there
Zabljak is only a 10-minute ride away and is the best spot to stock up on food and beverages. There you’ll also find ATMs and dozens of restaurants, shops, and bakeries. Zabljak itself is 2 hours away from Podgorica and 3 hours from the coastal towns of Kotor, Tivat, and Budva.
There is a central bus terminal in Zabljak with connections to Podgorica (2.5h), Budva (4h), and Kotor (5h). You can find more detailed information about the schedules and prices here.