You’ve probably never considered booking a ski vacation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. But that might change after reading this story. Blessed with long ski seasons on gorgeous snowy mountains, this country is Europe’s best-kept winter secret and the perfect budget-friendly alternative to popular and expensive winter destinations. Plus, its ski resorts are much less crowded and haven’t opened yet. If you’re flying to Bosnia’s Olympic city, you can ski around Sarajevo.

Thirty-six years ago, Bosnia and Herzegovina (then part of Yugoslavia) hosted the Winter Olympics, which brought the country’s mountains to global fame. Sarajevo was chosen as the venue for the 1984 Winter Olympics because it is close to three of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most popular mountains – Jagorina, Bjelasnica and Igman. They are just half an hour’s drive from the capital, and they have first-class slopes, the best accommodation and rental conditions, as well as excellent conditions for skiing.

Two other ski resorts – Vlašić and Kupres – are located further away from the capital.

How to get there

During the ski season and New Year holidays, charter flights are available to Bosnia and Herzegovina. When traveling to Sarajevo from Kyiv in the warm season, you can use Lufthansa with a transfer in Munich, Turkish Airlines with a transfer in Istanbul, or Austrian Airlines with a transfer in Vienna. Direct flights are available on certain days of the week, which may not always be convenient.

You can also fly directly from Ukrainian cities to neighboring Montenegro, Croatia, or Serbia, and then continue your journey to Bosnia and Herzegovina by bus or train. Buses and trains run regularly, so this option is suitable for travelers who are wary of air travel.

Climate

Most of Bosnia and Herzegovina has a temperate continental climate, which changes to a subtropical Mediterranean climate in the south and southwest. The country usually has warm summers and not very cold winters. In the mountains, the air warms up to + 12 … + 18⁰C in summer and -4 … -7⁰C in winter, on the plains the average annual air temperature is about +20⁰C, and in winter – 0 … -2⁰C. In the southern and southwestern territories, summer is hot and dry, the average temperature is about +25⁰C, and in winter there is more precipitation, the thermometer column drops to +5⁰ C. In the mountainous areas, snow falls in November and does not melt until April, which is very pleasing to outdoor enthusiasts.

The most comfortable time for traveling and outdoor recreation in BiH is considered to be May-September, and for those wishing to visit ski resorts, the winter months will be the most favorable, when there has already been enough snow.

Hotels

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, you can find both budget hotel accommodation and luxurious five-star hotel rooms. You can book the hotel you like in advance.

Aparthotel Vucko, Yahorina

Hotel Blanca Resort & Spa, Vlašić

Hotel Bjelašnica, Bjelašnica

There are four ski resorts in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are located near Sarajevo and were Olympic venues in 1984.

Jahorina

The Jahorina Sports Center is located 30 km from Sarajevo. There are 25 km of slopes for downhill skiing, which are served by 4 chairlifts, 4 tow lifts and two children’s lifts. The station offers equipment rental and an instructor school. In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing and sledding are also possible. Several of the slopes are floodlit for night skiing. There are hotels and apartments to suit every taste near the slopes.

Mount Jahorina

Perhaps less well-known to European skiers, Mount Jahorina is very popular among skiers from the Balkans due to its excellent value for money skiing. It is the largest ski resort in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the highest peak, Ogorelica, reaching 1916 m above sea level. Just 28 km from Sarajevo is a mountain that is easy to reach once you are in the capital. Jahorina Mountain is one of the most popular winter attractions in the Balkans, with around 30 km of groomed slopes. The ski season lasts from December to April, thanks to abundant natural snowfall. With nine lifts, this mountain can accommodate more than 11,000 skiers per hour. Jahorina Mountain offers everything you need – skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, luxurious slopes and great après ski. An additional attraction is night skiing. Evenings are designed for entertainment with DJs and parties.

More about Jahorina ski resort

Bjelasnica

The Bjelasnica ski resort is located 25 km from Sarajevo. The resort is served by 2 cabin lifts, 3 chairlifts and 3 tow lifts. The elevation difference on the slopes is from 1266 to 2067 meters. Accommodation is possible in several hotels near the ski slopes.

Mount Bjelasnica

Mount Bjelasnica is located just 25 km from Sarajevo, surrounded by the rugged and steep Dinaric Alps. It is the highest and steepest mountain in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the highest peak located at an altitude of 2,067 m above sea level. In fact, it is a dreamland for adrenaline junkies, as it is the steepest of all the slopes. The ski race from the highest peak (2,067 m) to the base (1,200 m) takes only 10 minutes. Bjelasnica is one of the mountains where the men’s alpine skiing competition was held during the 1984 Winter Olympics. This is not surprising, since some of its slopes are among the top European ski slopes. In addition, its challenging forest slopes are ideal for experienced skiers and snowboarders. However, among the 14 km of slopes that are groomed daily, there are slopes for all types of skiers – from beginners to advanced.

Mount Igman

Not far from Bjelasnica and only 22 km from Sarajevo is Mount Igman. It is actually the north face of Bjelasnica. As it is a great ski jumping station, it also hosted competitions during the 1984 Winter Olympics. Mount Igman (1,502 m) is a small and cozy ski resort, more suitable for families with children. It is famous for its exceptionally high air quality, thanks to the large number of pine trees.

The ski center consists of Veliko Pole and Malo Pole. Veliko Pole has a 30-kilometer cross-country ski and biathlon track, while Malo Pole has alpine ski trails.

More about the ski resort Bjelasnica

Vlašić

For lovers of winter holidays and skiing, Bosnia is a suitable country, especially since the infrastructure at local ski resorts is good, and the cost of recreation is lower than in Europe. 120 kilometers from Sarajevo is the ski resort Vlašić, which is considered one of the best ski centers in the country. On average, the snow in this resort lasts about five months a year, and this is despite the fact that Vlasic is the southernmost ski resort in Europe. The climatic conditions in the resort are simply ideal, so people come here not only in winter, but also at other times of the year.

The resort’s slopes are located on three main mountains: Рaljenik – height 1943 meters, Cavo – 1817 m and Pavo – 1807 m. The resort is famous for its beautiful nature, as well as the very tasty cheese that is made here. The resort has four ski lifts, vacationers have the opportunity to ride not only on skis, but also on sledges and skates (there are tracks for cross-country skiing). For accommodation, hotels of different classes are provided, there are good cafes and restaurants that offer a variety of dishes.

The center of Vlasic is located exactly in the middle between the large cities of this region and the Adriatic coast. In the center of the resort is the Babanovac recreation center. The ski slopes are covered with snow five months a year. The resort is famous for its ski jump, which is currently out of service, but should be restored in the near future. There are several three- and four-star hotels and apartments.

Kupres

The Bosnian ski resort of Kupres is located 120 kilometers from the Croatian city of Split. This is not a winter resort, but an all-season resort, there are many tourists here at any time of the year. The resort is in a stage of rapid development, new hotels, slopes and lifts appear every year. At the moment, the resort has four slopes for skiing (their total length is 14 kilometers). For experienced skiers, two trails are provided and to some extent they can be called black. The length of the longest black trail is 2100 meters, and the red trail is 2850 m (there are two red trails as well as black trails). For inexperienced (beginner) skiers, there are several small sections where they can improve their skills (there is also a section for children).

The Kupres mountain resort is good both in winter and summer. Four lifts operate. High-quality snow lies on the trails five months a year. Skiing, sledding, dog sledding and snowmobiling are possible. Equipment rental is offered. A 3-star hotel is available for vacationers. In the valley, on the territory of the Blidinje National Park located next to the resort, there are opportunities for cross-country skiing.

Shopping

Large stores are open every day except weekends from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Small shops selling almost any basic necessities, as well as souvenir shops, are open every day from early morning until late at night.

Tourists should pay special attention to ceramics, home textiles, woven carpets, leather goods, and silver-plated copper products. Tourists are also offered to buy local white and red wines – “black wine”, and the Balkan strong alcoholic drink rakia.

In the markets of Bosnia and Herzegovina, you must definitely bargain, as local merchants, having easily calculated the traveler, are absolutely not shy about greatly inflating prices.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Bosnia and Herzegovina is very diverse due to its rich history. Here you can taste Turkish kebabs, Mediterranean vegetable dishes with lots of greens, Slavic dairy products and various cheeses.

During the excursion, you can get by with local snacks:

Cevap – kebab with bread or pita.

Burek – cheburek with meat.

As main dishes, you should try:

Bosanski lonas – roast with meat and vegetables.

Shish – kebab.

Gyuvech – stewed meat with vegetables and rice.

Haiduk – grilled chop.

Entertainment and attractions

Ski resorts, the Ilidža health resort, the beaches of Neum provide a variety of recreation: both active and calm, without the hustle and bustle to improve your health.

Due to its unique location, rich and turbulent history, Bosnia and Herzegovina is full of various attractions:

The Old Town of Mostar.

Sutjeska National Park.

Latin Bridge in Sarajevo.

Kravice Waterfall.

Vrelo Bosne Nature Park.

Medjugorje.

Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque.

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has been called “Europe’s best-kept winter secret”, with very affordable prices and no rush tourists, unlike the expensive mass winter tourism. A perfect alternative ski paradise on the slopes where the Olympics were held, and voila – the place for the best skiing in Europe at affordable prices. So, now that you know where to ski around Sarajevo, the last thing you need to do is choose one of the four ski resorts. If you are wondering if there are other winter destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, check out the ski resorts around Mostar and find out where to ski around Banja Luka. Enjoy your winter holiday in the Balkans!