Tourists on a ski slope in Poiana Brașov / Photo: Inquam Photos / Virgil Simonescu
The lack of snow caused many slopes to remain closed for the holidays. Winter sports enthusiasts, however, have several slopes where they can try winter sports. At the same time, the weather becomes promising for those who want to see natural snow on the slopes.
Although it snowed at Christmas in several places in the country, the snow was insufficient for practicing winter sports on most of the slopes in Romania.
“With the current prices we pay, we cannot face the competition from Bulgaria, Hungary or other countries”. Hostel owners complain about the lack of customers
Where you can ski
Currently, there are four places with slopes open for skiing, and two are only half-open, meaning only the mini lift and runway are operating, according to slope representatives and webcam images.
Winter sports enthusiasts can choose to ski on the Transalpina Ski Resort slope, in Vâlcea county. The area includes seven slopes of varying degrees of difficulty, from beginners to advanced, with the highest starting at 2,000. The price of a one-day ski pass for an adult is 190 lei, for a pupil or student it is 170 lei, and children up to 12 pay 125 lei.
The ski slope is also open at Rânca, in Gorj county, on the Transalpina, at 1,600 meters altitude. Here, the ski pass for one day costs 150 lei for adults and 100 lei for children.
Ski lovers can also go to Straja, the resort in Hunedoara county at 1,445 meters above sea level, where there are four slopes, according to the information on the Facebook page. The single rate is 160 lei for a one-day ski pass.
And in Păltiniș, Sibiu County, the slope is open – Păltiniș Arena, where the ski lift operates, according to the information on the website. A ski pass, until 17:00, costs 165 lei for adults, 155 lei for pupils and students, and 135 lei for children between 7-11 years old.
Lower prices during the week
The slope is also open at Băile Homorod, Harghita county, to the extent of 70%. Prices differ depending on the day of the week. From Monday to Thursday, tourists will pay 110 lei for adults and 90 lei for reduced prices on this slope. On weekends or holidays, the rates reach 130 lei and 110 at a reduced price, according to the rates displayed on the website.
Those who want to learn to ski or children can do so at Vatra Dornei, where only the mini-lift and the slope are open. The prices are the same as last year, according to a representative of the slope, for HotNews: 170 lei for adults and 140 lei for children.
Mountain resorts, “emptier”
Traian Bădulescu, spokesman for the National Agency of Tourism Agencies, told the HotNews audience that the weather is often important for tourists who want to go on a vacation in the mountains.
“Due to the lack of snow, the resorts on Valea Prahova and in Brașov have a lower degree of occupancy, they are emptier. Less so during Christmas and New Year's, when people go to party,” said Bădulescu.
He also pointed out that most winter sports lovers choose January and February for these activities.
Several representatives of the ski slopes in Harghita, Brașov and Prahova counties also confirmed to HotNews that they expect colder weather and snow from January, so they will be able to open the slopes.
