Off-piste & cat-ski | Development Week | North Macedonia
Get better in the off-piste with our skilled instructors when catskiing in North Macedonia.
Book nowSkiing off-piste is very different from skiing on groomed slopes, and this is trip offers a safe and supportive environment to develop your skills. All our instructors are highly trained and have countless ski seasons under their belts. They also have extensive experience in off-piste coaching and possess all the necessary tools to help you improve your skiing. Enjoy the off-piste terrain and stunning nature in an area where you won’t have to worry about sharing the slopes with other tourists.
It was here, nearly 15 years ago, that our off-piste adventures began. We wanted to find a destination where we could have the mountain for ourselves and carve the first tracks in fresh snow. North Macedonia has no lift systems, meaning we’ll be transported by a snowcat, allowing us to cover vast areas and choose the best conditions every day.
We’ll be based in the small mountain village of Popova Šapka, offering an authentic experience of North Macedonian culture. Our hotel is simple but full of charm and with a warm atmosphere that makes every stay special. And in 2020, a spa area with a pool, sauna and massage services was added – perfect for unwinding after a day in the mountains!
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Hotel
Full pension
Transfer to / from Skopje, all the time
Catski with mountain guide
Skiing in a completely deserted mountain area
Safety equipment (“beeper”, sond and showel)
> 2400 altitude meters on average every day
Teaching of a Danish instructor
Access to pool and sauna
Farewell dinner in Skopje
10€ per day for the preservation of their national park
Member of The Travel Guarantee Fund (Rejsegarantifonden)
Best price guarantee
Airline tickets
Insurance
Extra fee single bedroom
Avalanche backpack rental (extra)
Day 1. Arrival day:
- Our driver will be waiting for you att Skopje Airport (SKP), ready to take you to Popova Šapka. Look for the sign that says De Brede Planker or Eskimo Freeride. The transfer takes approximately two hours by car, and you will be picked up according to the arrival and departure times you have emailed us beforehand.
- Upon arrival at the hotel, you can check in and take advantage of the spa area to unwind after your journey.
- Safety briefing – in case of late arrival it will be held in the following morning.
- Dinner is served at 19.00
Day 2 – 4:
- Breakfast is served between 07.00 and 09.00
- Between 09.00 and 09.15 we head out with our cat.
- We spend the entire day skiing off-piste, including a mountain lunch. If the weather is bad we can take shelter in cabins scattered around the mountain. During the first run, we also go through an avalanche transceiver training session.
- We return to the hotel somewhere between 16.00 and 17.00
- The bar will be open, and there’s always a great atmosphere before dinner. Of course, you can also relax in the pool and sauna.
- Dinner is served at 19.00
Day 5. Departure Day from the Mountain
- Breakfast is served between 07.00 and 09.00
- Between 09.00 and 09.15 we head out with our cat.
- We spend the entire day skiing off-piste, including a mountain lunch. If the weather is bad we can take shelter in cabins scattered around the mountain.
- We return to the hotel somewhere between 16.00 and 17.00. You will have the opportunity to shower before departure.
- 18.00 our transfer will pick you up and take you to a comfortable hotel in the heart of Skopje.
- After a quick check-in the transfer will continue to a restaurant where you’ll enjoy a goodbye-dinner together.
- Of course, you’ll be driven back to the hotel after the dinner.
Dag 6. Departure day:
- Breakfast is served between 07.00 and 10.00 at the hotel.
- Your transfer is schedule to ensure you have plenty of time at the airport (based on the departure time you have provided).
- If you have some extra time, you’re in the heart of the city, with the river just around the corner and some of Skopje’s famous bridges nearby. A 10-minutes walk will also take you to the Turkish Quarter and its bazaar.
We say goodbye and thank you for an amazing trip!
The mountain range we find ourselves in is called Shar Planina. It stretches over an area of a whopping 1,600 square kilometers, with the highest peak standing at 2,747 meters above sea level. The treeline sits at 1,700 meters in elevation, creating diverse conditions. At the summit, there’s a vast open area, and gradually, more trees appear as you descend. The first nearly 1,000 meters are completely treeless. The area below the treeline offers excellent opportunities for skiing between the trees, which is also advantageous in foggy weather. The benefit of this is that the trees provide contrast, allowing you to navigate by them.
The Shar Planina mountain range is considered old compared to the Alps, for example. The combination of time, weather, and wind has “worn down” the mountain range, making the peaks more oval than many other mountain ranges. This means there are many different descents for all levels. In other words, no matter which peak you stand on, you will always be able to choose between a steep and challenging descent or a flatter and easier one.
Regardless of your skill level, Shar Planina in North Macedonia will be the right playground for off-piste skiing.
In North Macedonia, you’ll stay in the small town of Popova Sapka, located about a two-hour drive from Skopje. Your accommodation will be at one of the hotels listed below, all conveniently situated next to each other.
These hotels are classified as three-star hotels in North Macedonia. Guests have free access to the spa/sauna, so don’t forget to pack your swimwear!
– Hotel Arena Tekets: This is where the spa facilities are located, but you’re welcome to use them even if you stay at one of the other hotels.
– Hotel Bora Bora
– Hotel Patrol Lodge
All accommodations offer shared rooms with single beds, accommodating up to four people per room. You’ll typically be grouped with the people you’re traveling with. Each room has its own bathroom and shower.
If you prefer, you can upgrade to a room with a double bed or opt for a private room at an additional cost.
5 April 2018
Imagine standing on 30cm of freshly fallen snow. It can make even the most seasoned skier tremble. Added to that, you and your friends are the only ones in the whole mountain range!! It’s cat-skiing in Popova Sapka, during the best days. You’ll share the Cat with a bunch of just-as-crazy-people as yourself. In addition, North Macedonia is also a fantastic and diverse cultural experience, so a visit to Skojpe can also be recommended.
(translated)