
Romania; learn to ski classes
The country offers downhill and cross-country skiing in over 40 locations and two of the most scenic are Sinaia and Poiana Braşov, in the Carpathian Mountains. The former is quite small, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in sights – several castles and a monastery can be found within the town limits. The bright pink new tele-gondola ski lift takes skiers up to over 1,200 metres, offering excellent views over the area and, of course, pretty decent skiing. The larger of the two resorts, Poiana Braşov, was declared a winter resort as early as 1906, but luckily facilities have been very much upgraded and modernised since then. It now has 9 slopes and remains one of the best established, most popular resorts in Romania. The nearby city of Braşov is also well worth a visit for its Saxon heritage and medieval city centre surrounded by remnants of the old town wall and fortifications.
Neighbouring Bulgaria is also a good bet for the bargain hunters. The Bansko ski resort, near Pirin Mountain, is a relatively new kid on the block, developing as a resort in the last ten years. That’s not to say this is a completely new development, quite the contrary. Bansko town centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back 100+ years, with small-scale, cute traditional buildings and cobblestone streets. There are 24 lifts, including an 8-seater gondola and British outfit Cloud Nine Chalets has two chalets, Juniper and Christophe, each sleeping 12, in the resort. 70 kilometres’ worth of mostly red and blue runs makes this an excellent area for the beginner to intermediate skiers. For the more advanced and adventurous, there are the options of para-skiing with a professional paraglider, ski mountaineering and skidoo hire.

Pohorje ski trails, Slovenia
Further north, in Poland, there are several resorts of long-standing repute. Zakopane, in the Tatra Mountains in the very south of the country, is perhaps the best known both nationally and internationally. It’s home to one of the highest peaks, Kasprowy Wierch, which also has the longest run, all of 7 km down to the village below. The Tatras rise up to over 2,500m and although there are shorter, easier slopes catering to the beginner and intermediate skier, to ski the peak itself is only recommended for the more experienced, as it features only red and black runs. Zakopane is a great place to sample traditional Polish cuisine, admire the traditional wooden architecture and enjoy some spa culture, very popular in this part of Poland. Cross-country skiing is another option all over Poland, for the less daring among you.

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Finland © Visit Finland
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