Štrbské Pleso is located on the shores of the lake of the same name, in the High Tatras region, in Slovakia. This ski resort, in addition to its picturesque snow slopes and wonderful relief trails, is also known as a wonderful balneological center, the main focus of which is the treatment of respiratory diseases and the prevention of cancer using aero- and heliotherapy, so it enjoys increased tourist attention throughout the year.

Štrbské Pleso has a reputation as the best Slovak ski resort in the region and annually hosts international winter sports competitions. Fans of alpine 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 thousand meters above sea level.

The maximum elevation difference on the slopes of Štrbské Pleso is about 600 meters, with a total length of ski slopes within 8 km. To these are added several dozen kilometers intended for cross-country skiing..

Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia

A brief excursion into history

The resort gained wide popularity at the end of the 19th century, when it was considered, first of all, as an excellent place for treatment and recreation. In 1900, the European Speed Skating Championships were held on the frozen lake of Štrbské Pleso, and 25 years later, the European Ice Hockey Championships. Two years later, thanks to the Czech architect Karel Jarolimek, the first wooden ski jump appeared here. In 1970, the World Ski Championships were held on the snowy slopes of the resort, after which the number of visitors to the tourist center increased dramatically. In the following decades, Štrbské 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 are not only conducive to comfortable skiing, but also have a health-improving effect on some body functions. The average air temperature in the winter months barely exceeds the minus mark, and spring and autumn here are very short. 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 Štrbské Pleso, in the direction of the city of Poprad. From there, the ski resort can be reached in just half an hour by bus. In addition, there is the possibility of renting a car or using taxi services.

Ski slopes

Most of the ski slopes, designed for skiers of all categories, from beginners to professionals, are concentrated on the southern slope of the Predne-Solisko peak, and are perfectly visible from below. The slalom slope “Interski”, where a children’s ski school is located, is especially popular among vacationers.

In addition, there are excellent conditions for cross-country skiing, biathlon and ski jumping. In the Mlynice Valley area, there is a modern sports complex equipped with ski jumps for downhill skiing, an excellent slalom track, a ski stadium, a cozy indoor swimming pool and a sauna. In addition, there are chairlifts, snowboarding and paragliding areas and a number of high-tech lifts on its territory. For the convenience of guests, the resort has built comfortable hotels, cottages and apartments. There are rental points for sports equipment and gear. During the season, the slopes are carefully maintained and the required thickness of the snow cover is maintained.

The resort occupies altitudes from 1,376 to 1,860 meters above sea level sea, which makes it the highest in Eastern Europe. Due 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, Štrbské Pleso has 9 well-equipped ski slopes with a total length of 7.3 kilometers. The ascent is provided by 4 tow lifts and 3 cable cars. If necessary, snow cannons work on some slopes, providing support with artificial snow. Extreme sports enthusiasts will like the local snow park. The resort has rental points for alpine skis, snowboards and other sports equipment.

Branches of the Tatry Motion ski school operate in the Štrbské Pleso resort and in neighboring Tatranská Lomnica. Both adults and children can learn the intricacies 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

There are many hotels and apartments of varying levels of comfort in the vicinity of the resort.

Hotel Crocus 4-star hotel

Hotel Crocus is ideally located between the bus, tram and train stations in Štrbské Pleso. It offers spacious apartments with a balcony, a fully equipped kitchenette and free wired internet.

The apartments feature satellite TV, a minibar, a safe and a bathroom with a hairdryer.

The hotel features a modern restaurant serving Slovak and international cuisine, as well as the stylish Tiffany Café Bar. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas.

The spa area features 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 at an additional cost.

Apartment Panorama 805 4 stars

Apartments Panorama 805 are located on the 8th floor of the Panorama Resort Hotel, which offers panoramic views of the national High and Low Tatras parks. Guests can enjoy a self-catering accommodation with free Wi-Fi.

Other amenities include a terrace, a sofa bed, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private bathroom with a shower, and a fully equipped kitchen.

The hotel has a café and a restaurant specializing in both traditional Slovak and international cuisine. Guests can enjoy a terrace, a garden, a children’s playground and a children’s corner. Bicycles, snowboards and skis can be rented, and the hotel’s sports shop offers all the necessary equipment.

A ski bus stops right next to the hotel, providing easy access to the Štrbské Pleso Ski Resort and Snow Park, which is only 900 metres away.

In turn, Štrbské Pleso Lake starts just 100 metres from the Panorama 805 Apartments. The train station and bus station of the same name are within a 2-minute walk. The Poprad Airport is a 20-minute drive away.

Vila Emma 2 stars

Vila Emma is located in the Štrbské Pleso Ski Resort in the High Tatras and features a Finnish sauna. All rooms have cable TV and a bathroom. Free WiFi is available in public areas.

The bright rooms at Vila Emma are decorated in unique colours.

Guests of Vila Emma can use a ski storage room and free parking in front of the building. Guests can use the common area with a sofa, kitchen and dining table. For stays of more than 4 nights, 1 free sauna visit is provided.

Villa Emma is located at an altitude of 335 metres above sea level, just a few minutes’ walk from Štrbské Pleso Lake.

Penzión Furkotka 2 stars

Hotel Furkotka is located in the center of Štrbské Pleso, just 200 meters from the lake and offers panoramic views of the High Tatras. The hotel’s restaurant and café serve cocktails and desserts.

Each room has a bathroom with toiletries, satellite TV and a living room.

The Furkotka restaurant serves 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, the resort offers various excursions. Among them, it is especially worth highlighting a trip to the Aqua City water park in Poprad, where excellent conditions have been created for an exciting pastime for the whole family, the haunted castle in Bojnice, the Beljanska Cave, full of secrets and mysteries with stalactites and stalagmites of amazing shape, the medieval Spiš Castle, founded in the 13th century and the 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.

In addition to winter sports, the ski resort offers a whole range 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 part ways with luck. The beauty of the local nature simply obliges guests of local hotels to take a walk along the hiking trails and pay tribute to the fabulous landscapes of the region.

Kitchen

IN In restaurants, cafes and snack bars of Štrbské Pleso visitors can taste a wide variety of dishes of national Slovak cuisine, with a large number of stewed vegetables, fried and smoked meats, dairy products, fish and other ingredients.

The most popular salads in the city in winter are potato salads, and in summer – from fresh vegetables. Simple and without frills. But there are also more interesting options. Šalát z naklíčenej šošovice s jalbkami is prepared from lentils and apples, and jarný šalát includes radishes and lettuce leaves and is seasoned with sour cream, less often – with butter. Strukovinový šalát s kvasenou kapustou – rather a winter dish, it is prepared from beans and sauerkraut. Be sure to order сesnaková polievka. This is a light soup-puree with cheese, garlic and boiled egg, which is served not in the usual deep plate, but in a loaf of bread. In the bread, a hearty gulášová polievka is also served, similar to goulash.

Interesting is also demikát made from potatoes with cream, garlic and feta cheese. Interesting cabbage soup kapustnica, similar to Slavic cabbage soup, only with smoked meats. Smoked meats are also included in pea grahova polievka, and in many versions of bean fazul’ova polievka. If you want something light and familiar, you can also order rezancová polievka – chicken broth with noodles. If you want a large portion, then order one of the meat dishes. They are prepared perfectly in Štrbské Pleso, and are always served in portions that are enough to feed two or three people.

Of the 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 “slivovitz” or “borovichka”. In addition, it is worth trying different types of beer.

Shopping

Shops and stalls display all kinds of goods and souvenirs. In addition to traditional magnets, mugs with mountain views, T-shirts and caps with symbols of the country and city, more interesting souvenirs are also sold in Štrbské 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, you should definitely visit the large-scale city fair, where they sell beautiful Christmas tree decorations, Christmas pastries, many types of souvenirs, and warm hand-knitted clothes of very good quality.