After such a great trip to Macedonia last month and with Western Europe still hurting for snow I headed back to the Balkans.
TR: Western Balkans Part I - Popova Shapka, Macedonia (January 2011)
http://www.snowjapan...a-january-2011/
DAY 1 : THURSDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2011
Return train travel from Aberdare to London Heathrow - 50 euros
Return Air Austria flight from Heathrow to Skopje, Macedonia - 208 euros
Got in to Skopje just before midnight.
DAY 2 : FRIDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2011
Rented an Opel Astra from SIXT at the airport - 180 euros for 8 days rental with unlimited mileage.
Took about 20 mins to sort out and then followed the guy to the road to Pristina, Kosovo and I was on my way.
No problem with border and police checkpoint.
Finally found the Brezovica turnoff (it's Prizrhen, and then right at the fork), and 3 or so hours after touching down in Skopje I was in Brezovica town.
Took the mountain road up to the ski area but didn't get far before the tyres were spinning. The snow was coming down nicely.
Had to reverse back to a flat area, tried to put the chains on but it was dumping with snow and cold as hell.
So I gave up, slept in the car, and followed the plough up the access road at 7am
http://www.theguardi...oarding-resorts
http://www.nytimes.c...1993.html?_r=2
http://www.njeri.net/snownjeri.php
I wandered around the village and checked in to the Woodland Hotel at 8am
70 euro B&B (charge by the room). Pricey, but it was modern, spacious, and warm. Very welcoming and a good vibe in the bar and restaurant.
http://woodlandhotel...om/about_us.php
Quick shower, breakfast, and I was out for first lift.
They finally started running the two man lift by the Woodland Hotel at 10ish.
12 euros a day and you pay at the liftline. IN CASH
The chair takes you to the highest lift accessed point but you can hike higher and further around to hit a massive amount of terrain on the backside.
It all funnels back around to the frontside of the area.
Windblown powder in the alpine. Boot top to knee deep in the trees.
Sunny with an inversion in the valley.
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Pizza dinner at Woodland. Excellent.
DAY 3 : SATURDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2011
Cloudy and snowy. Skied off the back all day. Some nice boot top powder.
Skied with 2 guys up from Pristina for the weekend and had lunch with them.
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DAY 4 : SUNDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2011
Hiked Brezovica early, then got out of there before the Sunday crowd.
Great terrain above the lifts.
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The old lift map with the closed terrain off the back
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Brezovica Stores
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Got the snowmobile from Woodland back to the car with all my stuff.
Took me 15 mins to get past the first barrier up the mountain. So much traffic.
Glorious day for the drive from Brezovica to Zabljak, Montenegro. 8 hr drive all told.
Brezovica, Prizrhen, Peja, Pec, border crossing, Rojare, Zabljak.
Road out of Brezovica was snow covered. Ski hill on the pass. Amazing touring potential.
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10 euros tax to get in to Montenegro.
Tar Canyon was very impressive. Some of the biggest trees I've ever seen. Some form of pine/fir/spruce but also looked like cedar and monkey puzzle.
Tried to find Hotel Jezra in Zabljak, no luck. Had a look at the resort and then found Ski Hotel Zabljak on the road coming in.
View from the Hotel
![Posted Image]()
60 euro Half Board. Massive room. Brand new. Would be 80 euro HB for room with 2 people. Bargain.
Veal Soup
Schnitzel with bacon and cheese, chips
Chocolate gateaux
Couple of glasses of Vranec
TR: Western Balkans Part I - Popova Shapka, Macedonia (January 2011)
http://www.snowjapan...a-january-2011/
DAY 1 : THURSDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2011
Return train travel from Aberdare to London Heathrow - 50 euros
Return Air Austria flight from Heathrow to Skopje, Macedonia - 208 euros
Got in to Skopje just before midnight.
DAY 2 : FRIDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2011
Rented an Opel Astra from SIXT at the airport - 180 euros for 8 days rental with unlimited mileage.
Took about 20 mins to sort out and then followed the guy to the road to Pristina, Kosovo and I was on my way.
No problem with border and police checkpoint.
Finally found the Brezovica turnoff (it's Prizrhen, and then right at the fork), and 3 or so hours after touching down in Skopje I was in Brezovica town.
Took the mountain road up to the ski area but didn't get far before the tyres were spinning. The snow was coming down nicely.
Had to reverse back to a flat area, tried to put the chains on but it was dumping with snow and cold as hell.
So I gave up, slept in the car, and followed the plough up the access road at 7am
http://www.theguardi...oarding-resorts
http://www.nytimes.c...1993.html?_r=2
http://www.njeri.net/snownjeri.php
I wandered around the village and checked in to the Woodland Hotel at 8am
70 euro B&B (charge by the room). Pricey, but it was modern, spacious, and warm. Very welcoming and a good vibe in the bar and restaurant.
http://woodlandhotel...om/about_us.php
Quick shower, breakfast, and I was out for first lift.
They finally started running the two man lift by the Woodland Hotel at 10ish.
12 euros a day and you pay at the liftline. IN CASH
The chair takes you to the highest lift accessed point but you can hike higher and further around to hit a massive amount of terrain on the backside.
It all funnels back around to the frontside of the area.
Windblown powder in the alpine. Boot top to knee deep in the trees.
Sunny with an inversion in the valley.
Pizza dinner at Woodland. Excellent.
DAY 3 : SATURDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2011
Cloudy and snowy. Skied off the back all day. Some nice boot top powder.
Skied with 2 guys up from Pristina for the weekend and had lunch with them.
DAY 4 : SUNDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2011
Hiked Brezovica early, then got out of there before the Sunday crowd.
Great terrain above the lifts.
The old lift map with the closed terrain off the back
Brezovica Stores
Got the snowmobile from Woodland back to the car with all my stuff.
Took me 15 mins to get past the first barrier up the mountain. So much traffic.
Glorious day for the drive from Brezovica to Zabljak, Montenegro. 8 hr drive all told.
Brezovica, Prizrhen, Peja, Pec, border crossing, Rojare, Zabljak.
Road out of Brezovica was snow covered. Ski hill on the pass. Amazing touring potential.
10 euros tax to get in to Montenegro.
Tar Canyon was very impressive. Some of the biggest trees I've ever seen. Some form of pine/fir/spruce but also looked like cedar and monkey puzzle.
Tried to find Hotel Jezra in Zabljak, no luck. Had a look at the resort and then found Ski Hotel Zabljak on the road coming in.
View from the Hotel
60 euro Half Board. Massive room. Brand new. Would be 80 euro HB for room with 2 people. Bargain.
Veal Soup
Schnitzel with bacon and cheese, chips
Chocolate gateaux
Couple of glasses of Vranec