Average rating Skiing in Romania

Spend a long weekend skiing in Romania! This four-day tour covers three of the highest peaks in Romania’s stunning Apuseni Mountains (Apuseni means, in Romanian, at the sunset), a region of exquisite natural beauty and precious biodiversity, home to a culture unchanged in centuries

Located in Western Romania and surrounded by the mighty Romanian Carpathians arch, part of Europe’s largest mountain chain, the Apuseni Mountains offer some of the most unspoiled natural beauty this side of Europe, as well as a culture unchanged in centuries. The Transylvanian region is arguably Europe’s last wild frontier – the mountains harbour the continent’s highest populations of lynx, wolves and browns bears, as well as over a third of its plant species – and rural life reflects this, with forestry, hay-making and livestock-rearing the major livelihood strategies. The landscape is almost unknown in Europe: meadows of wild flowers, soaring limestone cliffs, freshwater lakes and vast cave networks! More impressive still is the scale, with gently undulating hills as far as the horizon, punctuated occasionally by the odd hay wain or traditional wooden farmhouse.

This four-day tour gives you the chance to explore this awesome landscape on skis! Sites include Tapu Peak (1,476 metres) with its spectacular panoramic views, Bihorul Peak (1,848 metres), the highest in the Apuseni, and Rusty Pit, a unique geological phenomenon where centuries of erosion have uncovered the rock’s reddish-violet quartz strata, giving the appearance of a gaping wound in the mountainside that’s visible from many kilometres away. There are also mountain hamlets, icy waterfalls and several regional museums to visit, and there’s plenty of time for downhill skiing – the guesthouse is right next to the slopes, which have floodlights and lifts meaning you can ski or sleigh well into the night! And when you’re done playing in the snow your can return to your cosy guesthouse for some hearty local cooking and a mug of mulled wine – the perfect Alpine evening.

This tour is for you whether you're a beginner or a more experienced skier. There is no challenging or technical skiing involved, but you will be on the slopes for at least four hours per day, with the option of exploring more peaks for as long as eight hours per day. Needless to say, you’ll need to be in pretty good shape. As long as you fit all these criteria you’re sure to be won over by the Apuseni, their tranquil beauty and warm people. There is a feeling of exploration, of discovery that is a far cry from the well-skied slopes of the Alps, and the presence of traditional mountain farming communities with unique customs contributes to this rare synergy of ski and travel. The friendly local guides allow a fair degree of flexibility, so if there are sites or activities that you particular want to see or do these can likely be incorporated into the itinerary. And there’s ample time to yourself for free-skiing, walking or putting your feet up in a comfy fireside armchair. All in all, an Apuseni ski tour would suit anyone with a genuine interest in getting to know other cultures and places in an active and adventurous way.

Getting there

There is an airport at Oradea and you can fly there (indirectly) from London and other European airports.

Price includes

Includes accommodation. Ski equipment can be arranged on arrival.

Price details

225 to 270 Euros per person (depending on group size)

Available

Dec—Mar

Typical Duration

4 days

Comfort level

Down to earth (hostels, camping, huts)

Experience required

A reasonable level of fitness and interest is all that is needed