Strbske Pleso is located on the shores of the lake of the same name, in the High Tatras region, on the territory of Slovakia. This ski resort, in addition to its picturesque snow slopes and wonderful relief tracks, is also known as a wonderful balneological center, the main focus of which is the treatment of respiratory organs and the prevention of oncological diseases using aero- and heliotherapy, so it enjoys increased tourist attention throughout the year.
Strbske Pleso has the reputation of the best ski complex in Slovakia in this region and annually hosts international competitions in winter sports. Fans of mountain and cross-country skiing, ski jumpers, snowboarders, sledding and freeriding enthusiasts regularly come here. Even fans of jumping visit the resort, jumping from a height of almost 2,000 meters above sea level.
The maximum height difference on the slopes of Strbske Pleso is about 600 meters, with a total length of ski tracks within 8 km. To them are added several tens of kilometers intended for cross-country skiing.
Strbske Pleso, Slovakia
A short excursion into history
The resort gained wide popularity already at the end of the 19th century, when it was considered, first of all, as an excellent place for treatment and relaxation. In 1900, the European speed skating championship was held on the frozen lake Strbske Pleso, and 25 years later the European ice hockey championship. 2 years later, thanks to the Czech architect Karel Jarolimek, the first wooden trampoline appeared here. In 1970, the World Ski Championship was held on the snow-covered slopes of the resort, after which the number of visitors to the tourist center increased dramatically. In the following decades, Strbske Pleso steadily grew and developed, gaining a high reputation and the status of the best resort in the High Tatras.
Climate
The weather conditions prevailing in the region in the best possible way contribute not only to comfortable skiing, but also have a health-improving effect on some functions of the body. The average air temperature in the winter months barely exceeds the minus mark, and spring and autumn here are very short-lived. Despite the presence of snow, snow cannons do not remain idle, especially on the lower slopes. The ski season starts at the resort in December and ends in March.
How to get there
The international airport is located 24 km from Strbske Pleso , in the direction of the city of Poprad. From there, you can reach the ski center in just half an hour by bus. In addition, there is an opportunity to rent a car or use taxi services.
Ski tracks
A large part of the ski slopes, intended for skiers of all categories, from beginners to professionals, concentrated on the southern slope of the Predne-Solisko peak, is perfectly visible from below. The “Interski” slalom slope, where a children’s ski school is located, is especially popular among vacationers.
Also, there are excellent conditions for cross-country skiing, biathlon and ski jumping. In the area of Mlynitska Dolina, there is a modern sports complex equipped with ski jumps for downhill skiing, an excellent slalom track, a ski stadium, a cozy indoor pool and a sauna. In addition, on its territory there are cable-chair roads, areas for snowboarding, paragliding and a number of high-tech lifts. For the convenience of guests, comfortable hotels, cottages and apartments have been built at the resort. There are rental points for sports equipment and equipment. During the course of the season, the tracks are carefully maintained and the necessary thickness of the snow cover is observed.
The resort occupies heights from 1,376 to 1,860 meters above sea level, which makes it the highest in Eastern Europe. Thanks to its unique location – the resort is located on the shore of a glacial lake – the season here lasts 150 days a year. In total, Strbske Pleso has 9 well-equipped ski slopes with a total length of 7.3 kilometers. Lift is provided by 4 cable and 3 rope lifts. If necessary, snow cannons work on some tracks, providing support with artificial snow. Extreme fans will like the local snow park. The resort has rental points for mountain skis, snowboards and other sports equipment.
Branches of the Tatry Motion ski school operate in the Strbske pleso resort and in the nearby Tatranska Lomnytsia. Both adults and children can learn the wisdom of skiing and snowboarding from experienced instructors – both in groups and individually. Classes are held on a separate fenced slope with its own lift, which does not require a ski pass.
Where to stay
In the vicinity of the resort there are many hotels and apartments of various levels of wealth.
Hotel Crocus 4-star hotel
Hotel Crocus is ideally located between bus and tram stops and railway stations in Strbske Pleso. It offers spacious apartments with balconies, fully equipped kitchenettes and free wired internet access.
The apartments are equipped with satellite TV, a minibar, a safe and a bathroom with a hairdryer.
The hotel has a modern restaurant serving Slovak and international cuisine, as well as a stylish Tiffany Cafe Bar. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas.
The spa has a hot tub, an infrared sauna, a Finnish sauna and a massage shower. Guests can enjoy a variety of massage treatments. All spa services are available for an additional fee.
Apartman Panorama 805 4 stars
Panorama 805 apartments are located on the 8th floor of the Panorama resort hotel, which offers a panoramic view of the High and Low Tatras national parks. It offers its own kitchen and free wireless Internet access.
Other amenities include a terrace, a sofa bed, a guest corner, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private bathroom with a shower, and a fully equipped kitchen.
The hotel has a cafe and a restaurant specializing in both traditional Slovak and international cuisine. Guests have access to a terrace, a garden, a children’s playground and a children’s corner. Those who wish will be able to rent bicycles, snowboards and skis, and the necessary equipment can be purchased in the hotel’s sports shop.
A ski bus stops next to the hotel, on which it is convenient to get to the ski resort and the Strbske-Pleso snow park. The distance to it is only 900 meters.
In turn, lake Strbske-Pleso begins literally 100 meters from Panorama 805 apartments. The railway station and bus station of the same name are within a 2-minute walk. Poprad Airport is a 20-minute drive away.
Vila Emma 2 stars
Hotel Vila Emma is located in the Strbske Pleso ski resort in the High Tatras and has a Finnish sauna. All rooms have cable TV and a bathroom. Free WiFi is available in public areas.
The bright rooms of the Vila Emma guest house are decorated in unique colors.
Guests of the Vila Emma Hotel have a ski storage room and free parking in front of the building. Guests can use the common area with sofa, kitchen and dining table. For stays of more than 4 nights, 1 free visit to the sauna is provided.
Villa Emma is located at an altitude of 335 meters above sea level, just a few minutes’ walk from Lake Strbske Pleso.
Penzión Furkotka 2 stars
Hotel Furkotka is located in the center of Strbske Pleso, just 200 meters from the lake and has a panoramic view of the High Tatras. The hotel’s restaurant and cafe serve cocktails and desserts.
Each room has a bathroom with toiletries, satellite TV and a living room.
The Furkotka restaurant offers typical Slovak and international cuisine. The hotel has a children’s corner and free Wi-Fi.
The ski slopes are 800 meters from the guesthouse.
Sights and entertainment
As a distraction from skiing, guests of the resort are offered various excursions. Among them, it is especially worth highlighting a trip to the water park “Aqua City” in Poprad, where excellent conditions have been created for exciting leisure time for the whole family, the haunted castle in Bojnice, full of secrets and mysteries, the Belyansk cave with stalactites and stalagmites of an amazing shape, the medieval Spiš castle, founded in the 13th century and thermal pools in the town of Vrbov or arrange a trip to the Cold Stream waterfalls. For children, the Chamois Land entertainment center operates on the territory of the resort.
On the territory of the ski complex, in addition to winter sports, guests are offered a whole range of all kinds of entertainment, including swimming pools, saunas, gyms, billiards, ping pong, a disco with a laser show, a bowling alley and even a casino for those who never leave. with luck The beauty of the local nature simply obliges the guests of local hotels to take a walk along the hiking trails and pay tribute to the fabulous landscape of the region.
Kitchen
In the restaurants, cafes and snack bars of Strbske Pleso , visitors can taste the most diverse dishes of national Slovak cuisine, with a large number of stewed vegetables, fried and smoked meat, dairy products, fish and other ingredients.
The most popular salads in the city are potato salads in winter, and fresh vegetable salads in summer. Simple and without pretense. But there are more interesting options. Šalát z naklíčenej šošovice s jalbkami is prepared from lentils and apples, and jarný salad includes radishes and lettuce leaves and is dressed with sour cream, less often – with butter. Strukovinový salát s kvasenou kapustou is rather a winter dish, prepared from beans and sauerkraut. Be sure to order the sesnaková soup. This is a light puree soup with cheese, garlic and a boiled egg, which is not served in the usual deep plate, but in a loaf of bread. A hearty gulášová soup, similar to goulash, is also served in bread.
Potato demikat with cream, garlic and cheese is also interesting. Interesting cabbage soup kapustnica, similar to Slavic soup, only with smoked meats. Smoked ingredients are included in pea grahova soup, and in many variants of bean fazul’ova soup. If you want something light and familiar, you can also order rezancová soupa – chicken broth with noodles. If you want to get a large portion, then order something from the meat dishes. They are prepared in Strbske Pleso perfectly, always served in portions that are enough to feed two or three people.
From drinks, special attention should be paid to red and white wine. “Those who are stronger” are recommended to taste a kind of locally produced vodka, such as “slyvovytsi” or “boryvychka”. In addition, it is worth trying different types of beer.
Shopping
All kinds of goods and souvenirs are on display in shops and stalls. In addition to traditional magnets, mugs with mountain views, t-shirts and caps with symbols of the country and the city, more interesting souvenirs are also sold in Strbske Pleso . Interestingly, many of them can be purchased in regular grocery stores. If you have the opportunity to get here on the eve of Catholic Christmas, then you should definitely visit the large-scale city fair, where they sell beautiful Christmas tree decorations, and Christmas pastries, and many types of souvenirs, and warm hand-knitted clothes of very good quality.
