10 Alternative Skiing Destinations In Eastern Europe

Skiing in Eastern Europe offers many advantages – the primary one being you will save a lot of money on lift passes and ski rentals if you choose to ski in the region. The area also offers less crowded slopes, with less time waiting in line for the lifts. To attract savvy travelers, many ski resorts in Eastern Europe have also stepped up their apres ski game, offering a great selection of slope side bars, nightclubs, and other evening activities. If you’re interested in getting away from the crowds in Innsbruck and Chamonix, why not check out one of these exceptional ski resorts in Eastern Europe?

Szczyrk Szczyrkowski, Poland

Just a two hour drive from the international airports of Krakow or Katowice, you can find the Szczyrk ski resort with a remarkable 702 meters (2304 feet) of vertical descent. In total, Szczyrk has 27 pistes covering 40 kilometers, with almost another 40 kilometers dedicated to cross country skiing routes. Two chair lifts and 25 surface lifts quickly and easily transport skiers to all areas of the mountain. An artificial snow system ensures that ski conditions are well maintained throughout the season. Several ski schools, such as Kaimowka, offer lessons. After a day out on the slopes, you can devour some Polish pierogi and sausage with a beer at one of the pubs on the slopes or in one of the cute nearby towns offering ski chalets, holiday apartments, and basic motels catering to every type of skier.

Szczyrk Ski Resort, Narciarska 10, 43-370 Szczyrk, Poland +48 33 817 87 40

Ski down one of the wide slopes at Szczyrk

1. Donovaly Park Snow, Slovakia

Park, Ski Resort

Donovaly is Eastern Europe’s best ski destination for families, as it offers one of the largest ski areas dedicated to children and beginner skiers. Adults also love the variety of pistes and the outstanding apres ski entertainment. Donovaly is colloquially called the “Aspen of Slovakia” by many Slovaks and Czechs due to the many luxurious ski chalets and lodges where many rich families own winter homes. If you choose Donovaly for your ski vacation, you should plan to do more than just ski. You can choose from skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, bobsledding, sleighs pulled by horses, sleighs pulled by dogs, a snowscooter, ice skating, and even paragliding at the resort. Even if you stay in Donovaly for a full week, you will never be bored!

2. Vogel Ski Resort, Slovenia

Ski Resort, Sports Center, Park

Enjoy a winter wonderland at Vogel Ski Resort

Just south of the Austrian border, Vogel Ski Resort offers well maintained and groomed slopes for all levels of skiing from December until April. Vogel offers a designated childrens area and a park with lots of jumps for adventurous skiiers and snowboarders. A popular draw at Vogel is the winter tandem paragliding, with breath taking views over the Triglav National Park. Don’t miss the annual New Years Eve celebration at Čuk bar at the upper cable car station. You can dance the night away under the stats amidst the sparkling white snow! Although Vogel is arguable located in Central Europe, it shares the Eastern European features of having great prices on lift passes (only 30 euros for a full day pass) and an undiscovered feel!