Podbanske is a ski resort in Slovakia , located on the steep Krivany mountain, which is rightfully considered the gateway to the High Tatras. The beauty of the surrounding nature will not leave you indifferent.
Podbanske belongs to not very large ski resorts and is located in the west of the High Tatras, 32 km from Stary Smokovets and 13 km from Shtrebske Pleso .
Climate
The typically alpine climate in the vicinity of Podbansk has its own specifics, compared to similar high-altitude areas, upward heat flows are more actively held here, which determine heat uncharacteristic for mountains. This explains the presence of only two seasons in Podbansk – summer and winter. The other two times are two rainy weeks each. Thus, an acceptable snow cover lasts in December – March.
Historical reference
The history of the village has an indirect echo with the XV-XVI centuries, when Hungary was gripped by gold fever at that time. But in reality, the first foundation of the village in the form of the Forester Harman’s House with a room for tourists appeared only in 1871. Soon a water saw or a mill for grinding spruce bark appears, which was used by the Liptov skinners during leather processing. Other objects began to appear in 1923, when the forest road from Strbske-Pleso through Tri-Studnička was also expanded. A feature of the 30s of the 20th century is the intention to build a road through the Tykha and Tomanovska valleys in Poland, where Podbanske was supposed to become an important transport hub, but this project was not realized. Later, the construction of wooden houses took place, and during the preparation for the legendary world championship in skiing sports in 1970, the road to Liptovskyi Gradek arose here, and at the same time, a local slope was prepared, on which a ski lift appears. Soon after that, the hotel “Kryvan” was built here, and in 1981 the construction of the “Permon” rest house was completed.
Placement options
Vacationers won’t have to worry about where to stay. The most famous hotels in these places are Krivan and Permon. Krivan is located 200m from the ski lifts. The hotel also offers a visit to the Permons Paradise recreation center and swimming pools. It is located 8 km from Shtrebske Pleso and 200 m from its own ski lifts.
Penzion Nebeski 3 stars
Guest house Nebeski is located in the resort village of Podbanske in the High Tatras. Apartments with a balcony and satellite TV are available.
All apartments are individually decorated and named after the seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter. Free wireless Internet access is available in public areas.
A sauna and a hot tub are available for an additional fee. The fresh mountain air is conducive to long walks.
Nebeski Guest House serves breakfast upon 24-hour advance request. In the evening, you can have a pleasant time with a drink in the atmosphere of home comfort.
Penzion Sileo 3 stars
Guest house Sileo is located next to a forest and a river, surrounded by the High Tatras, 1 km from the village of Prybylina. A wooden house with a large garden and a restaurant are available to guests.
Double rooms with a bathroom and satellite TV are decorated in an individual style, inspired by the colors of mountain herbs and flowers. The windows offer a view of the forest. Free WiFi is available in the guest house.
In the guest house, you can relax by the fireplace in the restaurant with a bar and taste Slovak cuisine.
Guests are offered a discount for visiting the PERMON Spa, located 8 km from the guest house. Rafting on the Bela River, geocaching, trips on quad bikes or other seasonal outdoor activities can be organized for guests.
The Pribylin open-air museum is 1 km from the Sileo guest house, and the mineral springs and thermal pool in the village of Liptovsky Jan, as well as the Yavorovytsia ski resort, are 12 km away.
The distance to the bus stop is 2 km, a transfer from / to the guest house can be arranged for guests. The railway station Liptovsky Gradek is located 8 km away. Free parking is available on the territory.
Hotel Kriváň 2-star hotel
Hotel Kriváň occupies a historical building of the 17th century in the very center of the city of Kysucke Nové Myasto. It offers a restaurant and free Wi-Fi.
The amenities of each room at the Kriváň Hotel include a hospitality corner, a TV and a bathroom equipped with a hairdryer and free toiletries. The windows offer a view of the city.
Hotel Kriváň also has a terrace. In addition, guests are offered a shared lounge and a children’s playground, and in the surrounding area you can engage in active recreation, for example, go hiking.
The distance to the city of Žilina is 10 km. The Ossadnytsia Ski Resort is a 20-minute drive away, and free parking is available on site.
Grand Hotel Permon 4 *
Hotel Permon is one of the largest hotels in Slovakia, located in the western part of the High Tatras in the town of Podbanske (940 meters above sea level), 8 km. from Shtrebske Pleso resort. Number of rooms: 262 rooms. Description of rooms: – TV – telephone – radio – mini bar – safe – all rooms with bath, some (apartments) with bath and shower, in improved apartments bath with hydromassage – hair dryer – TV. Hotel infrastructure: – conference halls – large hall (500 seats) – conference hall (200 seats) – blue lounge (120 seats) – private lounge (40 seats) – meeting hall (55 seats) – meeting hall (22 seats) – banquet hall (20 seats).
Tracks
The variety of Podbanske ski tracks will satisfy the expectations of both highly qualified slalomers and beginners. In addition, the resort takes into account the preferences of snowboarders and cross-country skiers. And for those who just want to fool around and have fun, there are excellent toboggan runs.
Two rope lifts lead to the starting sites, located at an altitude of 950 – 1100 meters.
Podbanske has all the conditions for beginner skiers and families with children. There are ski schools and experienced instructors who will help you learn the technique of skiing in the shortest possible time.
The proximity of Austria clearly affects the quality and variety of ski trails in Podbansk. Competition laws force Slovak resorts to borrow the best from their neighbors. And the long-term experience and long-standing traditions of Austrian ski resorts have a benchmark reputation in the world of alpine tourism.
Kitchen
Pecene udene bravcove koleno – this is where you need to start getting to know the meat dishes of the Tatras. This is a pork knuckle, which is first boiled before baking, then spied with garlic and marinated in mustard, honey and lemon juice. A delicious potato pancake with chicken and mushroom filling, janosikova kapsa, and a local version of schnitzel rezeň, which can be filled with cheese, mushrooms or eggs, or not. For meat, you can order bryndzové halušky – hot boiled small pieces of potato dough mixed with bryndzo, or dumplings. Opekane zemiaky – ordinary baked potatoes, lokše – thin potato cakes, langoše – garlic donuts, used as an alternative to bread.
Sights and active recreation
Among the most famous modern attractions of Podbanskoe is probably the ski complex, which offers three lifts and tracks for beginners and families with children. Weather permitting, skiing is available here from the end of December to March on natural snow, and there is also a ski school or ski rental.
No less attractive is the memorial site near the main parking lot, which symbolically depicts the battles and partisan actions of the “High Tatras” detachment during the Slovak National Uprising.
Another destination for tourists and travelers is the already mentioned hotels “Kryvan” (currently “Pieris”) with beautiful architecture, a sunny terrace and first-class gastronomy or the hotel “Permon” with the largest hotel wellness complex in Slovakia.
The village of Podbanske also offers many interesting bicycle routes or hiking trips, among which we should mention the hikes to the Tykha and Kopra valleys, to Kryvan or along part of the Tatra highway. For more distant goals, you can visit the Museum of Liptovsky Village, one of the many Liptovsky Caves or go in the footsteps of medieval fortresses.
The Podbanske district goes south to the Liptov region. From here you can climb Kryvan Mountain or get to know the nature of the Western Tatras by looking into the Bystra Gorge. There are four mountain lakes in the upper part. The largest of them is Lake Vyshnyi Shvidko Pleso, which is also the deepest in the Western Tatras region. You can complete your impressions with a walk to Mount Bystra (2,248 m), go to the region Naipishnishe Sidlo (1,791 m) and return through the Rocky Valley.