Kaymaktsalan ski resort is located approximately 160 km from Thessaloniki in Greece. This resort is located on the slopes of Mount Voras. This resort has repeatedly received awards as the most popular in Greece. And this is not surprising, since the infrastructure of this place has received considerable development over the many years of the resort’s existence. It is worth noting the unique beauty of the local landscapes and the rough snow cover in the season.
Kaimaktsalan is rightfully considered one of the best ski resorts in Greece . It is located at an altitude of 2500 m. From the top of the mountain there is a view of the Thermal Bay, Lake Vegoritida and the peak of Mount Olympus. In addition to 16 ski trails of different levels of difficulty, a separate Snowboard fun park with all the necessary infrastructure is equipped for snowboarders. The total length of tracks for mountain skiing and snowboarding is 15 km. There is even a children’s descent. Tourists call the cafe-bar, located next to the lift, a local attraction. Ticket price: 15 euros.
The height of the tracks here varies from 2020 to 2480 meters. The resort has 16 tracks with a total length of 15 kilometers. However, it should be noted that most of the routes of this center are of medium difficulty. A distinctive feature of the tracks is their long length and width, as well as comfortable gentle descents. The advantages of this center are the presence of a special skating school for adults and children, the largest toboggan track in Greece for riding inflatable sleds (tubing), the famous snow bar “2.069 m”, a modern large chalet with shops, a cafe and a children’s center, and are also located nearby thermal springs. The resort is located only 169 kilometers from the city of Thessaloniki, which makes it attractive for tourists who want to combine skiing and sightseeing. The main disadvantage of Kaimaktsalan is the remoteness of the tracks from most hotels. Guests live in the villages of Panagitsa,
Due to the remote location from big cities, there is always peace and quiet.
Walking through the cozy streets of the resort, every vacationer will feel the friendliness and hospitality of the Greek population, and traditional taverns and cafes will delight guests with their local cuisine and real Greek coffee brewed on coal.
The ski season begins in December and lasts until the month of April, despite the fact that the season lasts five months, during the rest of the time, Voras-Kaymaktsalan offers tourists eco-tourism. For example, to immerse yourself in hiking, or to engage in horse sports, hunting, and for fans of extreme and fast driving, off-road jeep excursions are offered.
A large number of resort hotels are located in the village of St. Athanasius, but despite the rapid development of infrastructure, a traditional and long-standing way of life has been preserved here.
Recently, works have been carried out on the territory of the ski center to improve the infrastructure and the level of service, so every guest will find properly serviced and suitable apartments for themselves. Rest in Greece will be remembered for a long time, providing new sensations.
Historical reference
Kaymaktsalan officially started working as a ski center in 1995, and every year it expanded and improved its tracks and services. Now there are 16 tracks (six red, three green and seven blue), descents of different categories and lengths, 1 cable chairlift and 5 towing ropes.
If you wish, you can rent ski equipment and equipment, learn to ride in two ski and snowboard schools, visit bars, cafes, restaurants, etc. If the weather is good and you are lucky, you can enjoy views of Mount Olympus and even see Thermaikos Bay while sipping your coffee. You can stay in hotels and apartments, such as Taganay.
Not far from the resort is the village of Old Saint Athanasius, built at an altitude of 1,200 m back in the 16th century. It was abandoned for a long time, then taken under the protection of the state, and now it is one of the favorite places of rest for tourists who came to Kaymaktsalan.
How to get from the airport to the Kaimaktsalan resort?
You can get to the Kaimaktsalan resort via Thessaloniki. First, you will need to fly to the city, and then, by changing the transport to a rented car or ordering transfer services, you will be able to get to the resort itself. A more profitable choice will be to rent a car online, even before arriving in Greece, since by ordering a car rental in advance, it will cost you 30 percent cheaper, and the choice will be much larger. After all, you will use the vehicle in the future to move between various attractions and go to hot springs, which are not close.
Where to rent housing in Kaimaktsalan?
Since this place is popular among tourists, there are many hotels and guest houses located here, in which every tourist can find an accommodation option that suits his taste and wallet. The average cost of a room for two in a hotel with amenities is 40-50 euros. At the same time, your room will have air conditioning and a fireplace.
Hotel Naiades
Hotel Naiades is located at the foot of Mount Voras, in the village of Orma, just 2 km from the hot springs of Pozar. It offers a cafe-bar with a fireplace, luxurious rooms with a hydromassage bath and an LCD TV with satellite channels.
All elegant rooms and suites at Hotel Naiades have a fireplace. Each spacious room has a living area. Amenities include heating, air conditioning, a minibar and a safe. The windows overlook the balcony with a charming view of the surroundings. Breakfast can be ordered in the room.
Guests can start their day with a rich American breakfast à la carte. In a cafe with soft chairs and large windows, you can have a coffee or a drink by the fireplace.
The distance to the city of Aridea is 10 km. Kaymaktsalan Ski Center is 24 km away. Free private parking on site and bicycle rental are available. The Black Forest is 3 km from the hotel. This place is ideal for hiking and cycling.
Hotel Raradosiako
Offering ski-to-door access, Hotel Paradosiako is located in Kato Loutraki, 3.1 km from Loutra Pozar. Free bicycle rental and a garden are at guests’ disposal. A common lounge is at guests’ disposal.
The rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV. All rooms have a wardrobe.
The hotel serves a buffet breakfast every day. The hotel restaurant specializes in Greek cuisine.
The Paradosiako Hotel has a children’s playground. In the vicinity of the city of Kato Loutraki, such types of active recreation as skiing and hiking are popular.
Staff at the 24-hour front desk speak Bulgarian and Greek.
Kaymakchalan Voras Ski Resort is 36 km from Hotel Paradosiako.
Evzin Hotel
The Evzin complex is located in Loutraki Aridaias, surrounded by lush plane trees. This stone house offers rooms with views of Mount Kaimaktsalan. The complex has a snack bar and serves a traditional breakfast with homemade pastries and sweets.
Rooms at the Evzin complex are tastefully furnished with dark wood furniture and wrought iron beds. All rooms have a balcony or veranda, as well as air conditioning, a TV and a mini-fridge. Some rooms also have a stone fireplace.
Loutraki thermal springs are 2 km away. Kaymaktsalan Ski Center is 35 km away. Guests can also visit Agios Hilarionas Monastery, 17 km away. Evzin complex offers free Wi-Fi throughout the entire territory and free private parking.
Hotel Galaxias
Hotel Galaxias is surrounded by lush greenery in the village of Loutraki Aridaiasi. It offers air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and views of Mount Voras. Pozar thermal springs are 1 km away. Guests can enjoy their time in the snack bar with a fireplace.
The bright and spacious rooms at the Galaxias Hotel are equipped with a heating system, a TV and a fridge, as well as a balcony. Each of them has a private bathroom with free toiletries and a hairdryer. Some rooms have a fireplace, while others have a well-equipped kitchenette.
A buffet breakfast is served every morning in the dining area. The on-site snack bar serves coffee, drinks and light meals. Taverns and mini markets are less than 200 meters from the hotel.
The city of Aridaia is 10 km from Galaxias Hotel, the city of Edessa with its famous waterfalls is 33 km away. Kaymaktsalan Ski Center is 40 km away. In addition, on the territory of the hotel you can use free private parking.
Where and how much to eat Kaymaktsalan?
Even at such a height, there are restaurants with Greek and European cuisine. You will be able to admire the unique scenery during your meal. Bars and cafes often play music or hold events for vacationers. Many restaurants on top of the mountains have glass windows through which you can admire the local views, and come and dance in the evenings. As in other cities of Greece, portions in restaurants here are large, so that for a dense lunch or dinner an adult person will have enough of them. For dinner, you will pay around 40 euros, enjoying a meal of traditional local products, olive oil, cheeses and wine.
An evening rest for every taste
This resort can be visited not only by those who are looking for good ski trails, but also by those who want to get a comprehensive vacation and be satisfied. Here you will find many different activities besides skiing and snowboarding. Not only can you rest and relax after active skiing, but you can also improve your health in spa centers with pools or baths. Not far from the resort is the Lutra Pozar SPA resort, based on thermal springs. As a place of recovery, it was known even to the ancient Romans. This resort is located next to the settlement of Aridea, and, apart from the actual springs, there are no other entertainments there. However, it is possible to cure joint, respiratory, neurological, skin and other diseases by bathing in healing water even in winter.
Sights of the Kaimaktsalan resort
The main attraction of this resort is the Church of the Prophet Ilya, which was built on the top of the mountain during the First World War. Today, this church is very popular among tourists, you can get to it only by using a tracked vehicle, which is provided for the services of visitors.
There is also a lovely village nearby with a nature park. You cannot miss a unique opportunity to see the beauty of Greece in winter. Separately, in the natural park, you should look at the mountains and caves.
In the vicinity of the resort, there are still places that have not been changed by civilization. These include the villages of Panagitsa (a small tourist center) and Agios Anapsihis in the traditional style, the church of Elijah the Prophet, which is located at about the same height as the peak of Voras. Dasikis-Anapsihis Nature Park (mountains, gorges, lakes) is nearby. For the beauty of these places, Mount Voras and the ridge of the same name are sometimes called the Greek Alps.
For a fee, you can pre-order tours of the resort from local residents!
Kaimaktsalan skiing tracks
The resort itself is located at an altitude of more than 2 thousand km above sea level. The total length of the tracks is 15 km. There are 11 different trails for hikers of different abilities. There are also lifts and a funicular. You can go here not only for skiing, but also for snowboarding. There are tracks with various obstacles on which you can jump and practice various tricks and professionalism. There are schools in which instructors who speak Russian or English will be able to teach tourists of any age how to skate.
The resort has 16 trails (3 green, 7 blue, and 6 red), 11 types of descent of various categories, ranging from 500 to 2,200 m in length, 1 cable-chair lift, and 5 rope-towing lifts.
A rental point for ski equipment and equipment (skis, snowmobiles, etc.), as well as skiing and snowboarding training courses, a restaurant, a cafe, a bar, etc. are available to visitors. Special attention should be paid to the “snowbar”, which is located at an altitude of 2,069 m – it is located next to the lift and is one of the most impressive establishments in Greece built in this style.
Tracks
- 2 – easy – 2200 m
- 3 – medium – 1000 m
- 4 – medium – 2000 m
- 5 – easy – 1200 m
- 6 – medium – 1000 m
- 7 – easy – 1000 m
- 8 – medium – 700 m
- 9 – easy – 900 m
- R1 – medium – 700 m
- R2 – medium – 800 m
- K1 – to the ski track – 1200 m
- K2 – to the ski track – 650 m
- M1 – to the ski track – 900 m
- S1 – the distance to the ski track is 500 m
Elevators
- Sarandovrisi 1 (rope and chairlift (1200 people per hour) – 1540 m
- Meterizi (boat and towing for 600 people per hour) – 470 m
- Kremasti (bugelny-towing for 600 people per hour) – 1000 m
- Sarandovrisi 2 (bugelny-towing for 600 people per hour) – 780 m
Map of the ski center “Kaymaktsalan”
Ticket price
Adults – 15 €
Pupils (6-17 years old) / Students (up to 25 years old) / over 65 years old – 10 €
Beginners (access only to the children’s lift accompanied by an instructor) – 10 €
Family ticket (for four) – 37 €
After 13.00 – €10
Walking visitors – €6
Shopping at the Kaimaktsalan resort
For those who love shopping, access to fashionable boutiques from the ski resort of Kaimaktsalan will be a bit difficult, as Thessaloniki is about 150 km away, and the capital, Athens, is more than 600 km from here. If you are already aiming for shopping in one of these cities, then by renting a car, you will be able to get to them more conveniently. In big cities, there are boutiques and shopping centers where you can buy exclusive things at a discount during the winter. This will be an excellent reason to further study the nature and features of life in Greece in winter. Souvenirs and various gifts to take home can be bought in nearby cities. For example, you can go to Aridaya, a village next to the resort, where hot springs are located.
