The small independent republic of North Macedonia, which was formed after the breakup of Yugoslavia, is surrounded by mountain ranges. The topography of the entire country can be classified as mountainous: on its territory there are medium-height mountain ranges of Skopska-Crna Gora, Pirin and Pind, with the highest point – Korab peak, which rises 2,753 meters above sea level. These mountain ranges are separated from each other by the valleys of the Vardar and Strumica rivers, which flow throughout the country. In the southwest, in the border areas with Albania, there are large lakes Ohrid and Prespa, and in the southeast, Lake Dojran. On some mountain massifs, the snow cover remains until the middle of May, which makes these areas special places for tourists who are fond of skiing.
A number of ski and balneological resorts are located on the territory of the republic. Ski resorts have a compact location and are located not far from the capital of the state, the city of Skopje.
The Popova Shapka resort, located at an altitude of 1,845 meters on the slopes of the Shar-Planina mountain, is the most popular among foreign tourists. The ski resorts of Mavrovo and Krushevo are of no less interest. However, they all have one drawback – the lack of developed infrastructure, which makes visiting these places relatively inexpensive.
The ski resort of North Macedonia is Popova Shapka
Popova Shapka is the most popular Macedonian ski resort , located only 53 km from the country’s capital, Skopje. The mountain itself is unique, tourists are attracted not only by steep slopes, but also by miniature glacial lakes.
Popova Shapka ski resort, after the Arab countries have made significant investments in its development since 2010, today is the most popular ski resort in North Macedonia. Thanks to significant investments, several modern hotels have been built, infrastructure is being improved. European-level skiing competitions have been held here many times. The area of the Shar-Planina mountain slope is 80.0 kilometers long, while the width of the ski track is 5.0 kilometers. The resort welcomes skiers from November to March. For the convenience of skiers, the mountain track is equipped with six funiculars and cable-chair roads that will take you to the top. Several tracks start from here. There are special, gentle, designed for beginners. A little further away – steeper – with unexpected turns and other “tricks”. Those who ride here who is already confidently standing on skis. There are tracks designed for snowboarders.
For professionals, Popova Shapka has prepared a special “trick” – off-piste skiing. All-terrain vehicles will take you anywhere there is pristine snow and steep mountains. A powerful adrenaline rush is guaranteed!
Hotels
Hotel Lirak 4-star hotel
Hotel Lirak, the oldest hotel in the city of Tetovo, is located on the central square of Illaria. It offers free Wi-Fi and air-conditioned rooms. The hotel restaurant serves Macedonian and international cuisine.
The hotel’s newly renovated rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Most rooms have air conditioning.
Directly opposite the hotel is the cultural center Ilo Anteski Smok, where all major city events are held.
Tetovo bus station is 500 meters from the hotel. Lirak Hotel is 35 km from Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, and Skopje International Airport.
Upon request, trips to the Popova Shapka ski resort on Mount Kulya can be organized for guests.
Hotel Arena Teteks 3-star hotel
Hotel Arena Tetex with direct access to the ski slopes is located in the city of Tetovo. A restaurant, a bar and a garden are available. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi. Guests can make use of free private parking and rent ski equipment to explore the surroundings.
Each hotel room has a balcony. Rooms at Hotel Arena Tetex are equipped with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV.
A terrace is at guests’ disposal. Guests at Arena Tetex Hotel can enjoy various activities in Tetovo, including skiing.
The distance to the city of Gostivar is 43 km.
Hotel Bora
Hotel Bora offers a restaurant, a bar and a shared lounge. You can reach the Popova Shapka track directly from the hotel door. Family rooms and a terrace are available. Guests can make use of free private parking and rent ski equipment to explore the surroundings.
Room amenities include a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. Rooms at Hotel Bora are equipped with air conditioning and a wardrobe.
Continental and buffet breakfast options are available each morning.
Guests at Hotel Bora can enjoy various activities in the surroundings of Popov Shapka, including skiing.
Speaking German, English, Macedonian and Albanian at the 24-hour front desk, staff will be happy to provide guests with information on local attractions.
The distance to the city of Gostivar is 43 km.
Attractions
The natural attractions of this resort include glacial lakes, which are located in picturesque places of the mountain massif. Today, there are several restaurants with national cuisine and many small shops, including souvenir shops, on the territory of Popova Shapa. The connection to the resort is carried out by rail or road transport from the town of Tetovo.
Among those who still made it to Macedonia, despite the promoted resorts, Mavrovo is extremely popular. This is a special place that amazes with its beauty.
Ski resort of North Macedonia – Mavrovo
The resort is located 70.0 kilometers south of Skopje and welcomes tourists from November to April. A total of 18 ski tracks of varying difficulty have been developed on it.
Slopes and lifts
In Mavropo, 18 marked trails have been laid, which are treated with plows and snow cannons, and are generally monitored for suitability and quality of skiing. There are three yellow tracks for beginners, 5 green, 6 blue and 4 black tracks for aces. You can get to all this beauty with the help of 3 “chairs” and 11 rope lifts, the total capacity of which is 11,100 people per hour.
By the way, the tracks from the chairlift are also equipped with artificial lighting, so you can ride there even after dark, that is, from about 7 pm. All the fun ends at midnight, so that even crazy skiers can find a cozy and slightly rustic local apresque.
The tracks from the chair lift to Mavrovo are equipped with artificial lighting, so you can ride there even after dark, i.e. from about 7 pm.
The resort also has a ski center with equipment rental, instructors and a full-fledged children’s school. Fans of cross-country skiing will not be bored either: cross-country trails await them.
The fact that many different international winter sports competitions are held here speaks for the quality and service of the Mavrovo ski resort. Various guesthouses and hotels are maintained in a traditional style, which adds color to the local scenery. They are mainly located right next to the slopes of the mountains, in the immediate vicinity of the lifts.
How to get there
From Mavrovo it is easy to reach both Skopje Airport (about 80 km) and Ohrid Airport (about 55 km), in both cases there are buses. In addition, you can also get there by train – the nearest Taomishte station is located only 10 km from the resort.
Hotels and restaurants Mavrovo
If you are planning your weekend trip to Mavrovo, there will be no problems with choosing a place to stay. The resort has a fairly wide selection of hotels, and even the most demanding tourist will find a place to his liking here. For example, Mia’s Favorite Mavrovo hotel is located on the territory of Mavrovo National Park .
It offers a bar, a garden, a terrace and free WiFi. This 3-star hotel offers housekeeping services. Among the possibilities are family rooms.
All rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. The hotel rooms have a private bathroom with free toiletries.
Hotel Mia’s Favorite Mavrovo is 31 km from Gostivar.
Mavrovo apartments are located in Mavrovo. The windows offer a view of the mountains. The distance to the Zori-Lazarevske ski resort is 150 m.
The apartment has 1 separate bedroom, 1 bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen with a dining area, and a flat-screen TV.
Skiing can be enjoyed nearby.
The apartments are 80 m from the Crven and Plav ski lifts.
Radika Mountain Hotel is located on the territory of the Mavrovo National Park, 9 km from the Mavrovo ski resort. This picturesque place is surrounded by a virgin forest and is located just above Mavrovo Lake.
Radika Hotel’s spacious rooms are decorated in a modern or baroque style. Amenities include digital TV with more than 80 channels, a minibar, air conditioning and a bathroom. Free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the territory.
Guests have free access to the spa, which includes a sauna, hot tub, steam room and fitness center. Massage services and visits to the Turkish hammam are available for an additional fee.
In winter, guests can rent ski equipment and snowmobiles for children and adults. In summer, guests can visit the outdoor pool and bar, as well as use the sports fields and rent bicycles.
The territory has its own free parking. There are numerous cycling and walking routes nearby. Skopje is 90 km away.
There are not many restaurants in Mavrovo. They are mainly made at hotels. One of these is Restoran Golden Place . Most of the dishes belong to international cuisine, but there is something to surprise tourists who want to try national food.
Another well-known restaurant in Mavrovo is Bistra, located in the hotel of the same name.
Attractions
Most often, tourists and residents of North Macedonia come to this area to go skiing. Among the attractions, it is first of all worth highlighting the Mavrov Lake, which is characterized by incredible purity and unique landscapes. The lake is located in the mountains at a decent height above sea level, so you will have to make some effort to get there.
The lake is quite young, it was formed in 1959 as a result of the construction of a dam. The Radika River flows into this natural reservoir. There are four small villages on the shores of the lake. In winter, the Tsar Lazarevski modern ski center operates near the lake.
One of the features of the lake is that the water temperature in it does not rise above 20 degrees even on hot summer days. Considering the hard-to-reach location of the lake and its beautiful nature, it is not surprising that it is considered an ideal place for lovers of peace and quiet. In addition to various vegetation, you can see 100 species of birds here. The ancient half-flooded church of St. Nicholas is located on the lake. The flooding of the temple occurred during the creation of an artificial reservoir, but this only increases the flow of tourists to this place (everyone wants to see the church standing in the water). The lake itself looks beautiful both in rainy and sunny weather, which makes it an ideal place for photo shoots.
Restaurants and hotels are located not far from the lake, which makes this place even more interesting for tourists. Fishing on the lake is prohibited, although very tasty fish – Macedonian trout are grown in the reservoir (you can try this delicacy in local cafes and restaurants).
The lake is located only 70 kilometers from the capital of North Macedonia, the city of Skopje. But first you will need to get to Mavrovo, and then you will have to walk a little, although it is not very far.
It is also worth paying attention to Mavrovo National Park, on the outskirts of which the above-mentioned lake is located. The park occupies a huge area of 730.9 square kilometers. The park has been under state protection since 1948. It is on the territory of this park that a large part of the mountain massifs is located, which in winter attract fans of skiing and other winter extremes (the ski resort of the same name is located next to the park). Most of the territory of the park is covered with forests, among which beech prevails. There are also such plants that are on the verge of extinction and are found only on the territory of this park. The animal world of this place is also rich. Many animals were brought from other countries and adapted to local conditions.
Mountain rivers and waterfalls attract attention, among which it is worth highlighting the Proifel waterfall, the height of which reaches 134 meters. In addition to natural sights, Mavrovo National Park can also delight tourists with ancient architectural structures. Among them, you can highlight the monastery of St. John the Baptist in Bigorski, the picturesque village of Halychnyk, and also go down to such an interesting place as the cave Sharkova Dupka. This place is always crowded, regardless of the season.
During your vacation in Mavrovo, you can allocate one day to visit the city of Ohrid, which is unofficially called the Jerusalem of the Balkans. This ancient city is located on the shore of the lake of the same name and is primarily famous for its ancient temples. In one of the monasteries of the city, Cyril and Methodius were engaged in the creation of the Cyrillic.
Entertainment
Skating and sledding are also popular among entertainment.
In addition to sightseeing, you can visit various shops that sell not only souvenirs, but also natural products made of wool, beads, fur, silver, gold, and clay.
Various festivals and competitions regularly take place in Mavrovo, if you wish, you can go to a restaurant, sauna or night club.
Ski resort Krushevo
The small picturesque town of Krushevo (about 5,000 people) is nestled in the southwest of Macedonia, in the mountains, at an altitude of 1,350 m. It is an old town, its history begins in the 15th century.
Today, Krushevo is a famous ski resort on the Balkan Peninsula, one of the beautiful ski resorts in Macedonia, such as Popova Shapka, Makrovit and others.
The city itself is famous for the memorial in honor of the rebels who at the beginning of the last century managed to create a people’s republic (although it lasted only 10 days). Another attraction is the museum of the singer Toše Proeski, a young genius who passed away early.
The Krushevo ski resort has three ski tracks (two of medium difficulty and one for beginner skiers). For the convenience of tourists, the tracks are equipped with three lifts: one children’s funicular and two chairlifts for adults. To keep the tracks in order, special snow cannons are installed here. The resort has a well-developed system of training in mountain skiing, for which there is a whole army of instructors. Ski-pass (voucher for instruction, rental of equipment and stay on the track) will cost 15.0 euros for a child and 20.0 euros for an adult tourist per day.
Infrastructure
The infrastructure of the resort is only developing. Today, Krushevo can offer three slopes with gentle descents, equipped with lifts. Excellent ski slopes with all conditions for professionals and amateurs, experienced instructors for beginners, hotels and hotels with benefits for tourists, excursions, hiking. cycling, cycling and horseback riding, ice skating, skiing, sledding, pine forests, fresh air and sun, and on wonderful winter evenings – the crackling of wood in the fireplace from the fire, which warms you up after an active day in the cold. This is a place for romantics who know how to rest both soul and body.
The ski season in Krushevo is from November to April. The temperature here is +20 degrees in summer, -1 degree in winter. The snow lies from the end of December to the end of March. A January holiday will be much cheaper than a February one.
This resort has three tracks (for beginners and intermediate skiers) that are serviced by snow guns, three lifts (single, double and for children), ski equipment rental, Russian-speaking instructors.
The price of a ski pass for adults for one day is 20 euros, for children – 15 euros; for seven days for adults – 100 euros, for children – 58 euros.
What you will like in Krushevo: the absence of crowds of tourists, no queues at the lifts and no jostling on the slopes. You get the feeling that only you know about this heavenly corner! Add silence, peace, a soothing panorama of mountains and wonderful nature.
Disadvantages: Krushevo does not yet have the high level of service that you quickly get used to in alpine ski resorts. But if you came solely for the sake of ski racing, fresh air and recreation in nature, you will have a lot of impressions.
Hotels
Hotels are located both in the immediate vicinity of the lifts and in the city itself. So far, the hotels have only 2-3 stars, but many new hotel complexes of a higher level are being built.
Hotel Montana Palace 4-star hotel
Hotel Montana Palace is located in a quiet place surrounded by pine trees, on top of a hill overlooking the city of Krushevo. There are hiking and cycling routes near the hotel. A restaurant and a pub are at your service.
All hotel rooms have cable TV and a private bathroom, while the suites have a spacious living area, and some have a spa bath and a balcony with a view of the city and the mountain landscape.
The Montana Palace Hotel’s restaurant serves international cuisine. In addition, guests can relax in the bar, which offers a wide selection of hot and cold drinks. Free Wi-Fi is provided.
The distance from the Montana Palas hotel to the ski center Stanic is 600 m, and to the city center – about 500 m. The distance to the airports of Skopje and Ohrid is 140 km. Transfer is organized for an additional fee. Free private parking is available on the territory.
*** Vila Toše D. Kruševo
There is a shared lounge, a garden and a terrace. *** Villa Toše D. Kruševo is located in the village of Kruševo. Free Wi-Fi is available. The windows overlook the garden. The apartment has a balcony with a view of the city.
The apartments have a kitchen, a guest corner, a dining area and cable TV. Towels and bed linen are available for an additional fee.
The city of Ohrid is 47 km from the apartments, while the city of Bitola is 38 km away.
Alex Apartments 3 stars
The Alex apartment complex is located in the village of Krushevo. It offers apartments with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and access to the garden.
All apartments have a washing machine, a flat-screen TV, a sofa bed, a wardrobe and a fireplace. Guests have a fully equipped kitchen and a private bathroom at their disposal.
Skiing can be enjoyed nearby.
The city of Ohrid is 47 km from the apartments, while the city of Bitola is 38 km away.
Sights and entertainment
A swimming pool, a gym, discos, restaurants, bars, table tennis, billiards, a sauna, and a massage room are available for vacationers.
In addition to being a popular resort for skiers, Krushevo is a town with rich traditions and beautiful, bright, original architecture. Beautiful old buildings, narrow winding streets, museums, monuments, monasteries and temples, a gallery of ancient icons – there is something to see and where to walk.
In this wonderful town, you can buy beautiful and unique ceramics as souvenirs, as this town has been famous since ancient times as the center of ceramics, Ohrid beads, gold and silver products.
You must try the cold Macedonian vodka – rakia, while snacking on pan-fried beans, burek puff pastry, trout and Turkish-style fried meat.
Krushevo is wonderful, full of romance, a place for a full and pleasant vacation for any taste with family, friends or a loved one.
The resort is located 159.0 kilometers from Skopje and is best reached by bus from the capital’s airport. It is 159 km from the airport in Skopje to Kruševo, and 55 from the city of Bitola.