Slovakia Ski Resorts

Slovakia is home to 100 ski resorts with 500 ski lifts and 56 cable ways. The two main skiing areas are the High and Low Tatras mountains. The High Tatras is known for its reliable snowfall and high peaks such as Skalnate Pleso at 1751 meters, while the Low Tatras Mountains is loved for its pretty tree-lined runs and uncrowded slopes.

The majority of resorts in Slovakia are best suited to beginners and intermediate skiers. Its mountain scenery is similar to that of the Austrian Alps with lush pine forests. Slovakia is also attractively priced both on and off the slopes.

Just a 40-minute transfer from Poprad, is Slovakia's most popular ski centre - Jasna-Chopok. Its 44 kilometres of well groomed slopes are suitable for all levels of skier and reach an altitude of 2005 metres. Here, you'll find pretty tree-lined runs, panoramic views, and few skiers. The ski area is divided into the two resorts of Chopok North and Chopok South. Jasna-Chopok is just a fraction of the price of western ski resorts; a six-day lift pass is just €53.

The Tatranska Lomnica resort offers sunny slopes, spectacular views, and five kilometers of night skiing. The resort has six ski slopes of varying difficulty as well as cross-country trails. Other attractions here include taking a trip by a lift to Lomnicky Stit or a ride on the Tatra tram, both offering beautiful mountain views.

The ski centre of Certovica is nestled on the northern slopes of Mount Certova Svadba. It offers seven runs with a total length of 12 kilometres for beginners and intermediates. Slopes reach a maximum height of 1460 metres altitude.

The resort of Martinske Hole is set above the historic town of Martin. Skiing here is for beginners and intermediates with pretty tree-lined runs and a top altitude of 1440 metres. The resort of Ruvomberok-Skipark boasts FIC certificates in slalom, gigantic slalom and super gigantic slalom, as well as off-piste terrain.

The pretty village of Stary Smokovec dates back to 1793. Its main ski area is accessed an aged funicular. Skiing is best suited to beginners, but there are also intermediate and advanced slopes reaching a height of 1480 metres altitude. Velka Raca's ski area is set within a national nature reserve. Skiers can reach a height of up to 1050 metres altitude and enjoy pretty woodland runs suitable for all levels.

Vratna is one of the most popular ski destinations in Slovakia. It offers 16 slopes with a skiable height of 1550 metres altitude, and cross-country trails. Its slopes are connected by a modern cable car and eight-seat gondolas.

The small town of Vysoke Tatry has a picturesque centre with 18th-century architecture and is one of the founders of the Czech Ski Association in 1903. Slopes are divided into beginner and intermediate runs; skiers can reach a height of 2003 metres altitude.

The numbers of skiers to Slovakia is on the rise, particularly from the UK and other new markets. Now with low-cost carriers, it's easy and inexpensive to reach Slovakia for a ski weekend. There are also budget flights (Sky Europe flies six times a week from the UK to Poprad or Kosice).

The ski resorts of the High and Low Tatras mountains offer much shorter transfer times than many European ski resorts; the High Tatras are just 30 minutes from the international airport of Poprad and the Low Tatras are just over an hour.