Skiing in Bosnia and Herzegovina
We would like to introduce you to the ski resorts around the Olympic city of Sarajevo in a little more detail – perhaps some of you are still looking for a good alternative to Austria 😉 All joking aside: Bosnia-Herzegovina is an excellent winter sports destination, especially the mountains around Sarajevo, where the 1984 Winter Olympics were held.
Why go skiing in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Winter sports have a long tradition in Bosnia and Herzegovina with several snow-rich ski resorts that have nothing to hide from their European neighbours – neither in terms of slopes, hotels nor après-ski.
The country’s ski resorts are mainly located between 1,500 and 2,000 metres above sea level and are therefore generally quite snow-sure, even from December onwards. If the snow doesn’t materialise, snow cannons are used.
If you are interested in other winter sports, you can go snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or tobogganing.
What’s more, skiing in Bosnia and Herzegovina will still be much more affordable in 2022 than in Austria, Germany or the Swiss Alps. Prices for accommodation and ski passes are lower than in Central and Western Europe, making Bosnia and Herzegovina a great winter sports destination for families with children.
Ski resorts in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bjelašnica Ski Resort
The mountain range is located southwest of Sarajevo and reaches a height of 2,067 metres at its highest peak. During the 1984 Winter Olympics, Bjelašnica was used for alpine skiing competitions, among other things. And even today, Bjelašnica is still a popular skiing and recreation area!
A few facts and figures:
🔹 8 slopes: 1,600 metres for black slopes, 7,800 metres of red slopes, 4,850 metres of blue slopes)
🔸 5 children’s slopes
🔹 5 ski lifts and 3 chairlifts
🔸 Night skiing
Costs:
🔹 Day ski pass: 35 KM
🔸 3-day ski pass: 95 KM
🔹 6-day ski pass: 180 KM
🔸 Season ticket: 800 KM
You can find more information about skiing on the Bjelašnica here. You can also view and download a map of the ski slopes and lifts here.
Jahorina Ski Resort
This mountain range in the south of Sarajevo reaches up to 1,913 metres and was used as an Alpine skiing venue during the 1984 Winter Olympics. Jahorina is relatively snow-sure in winter, with more than 1 metre of snow on the summits.
A few facts and figures:
🔹 9 pistes: 2 black, 6 red, 1 blue
🔸 3 ski lifts and 4 chairlifts
🔹 Night skiing
Costs:
🔹 Day ski pass: between 61 and 73 KM
🔸 3-day ski pass: between 190 and 253 KM
🔹 6-day ski pass: between 328 and 438 KM
🔸 Season ticket: 1,075 KM
More information about skiing on Jahorina here. You can find a map of the slopes here.
Vlašić Ski Resort
The Vlašić is a mountain range in central Bosnia and rises up to 1,943 metres. It is located near Travnik, around 2.5 hours from Sarajevo. The winter sports resort of Babanovac is particularly well known for skiing and snowboarding.
A few facts and figures:
🔹 7 pistes with a total length of 15 km, blue and red
🔸 5 ski lifts
🔹 Night skiing
Costs:
🔹 Day ski pass: 29 KM
🔸 2-day ski pass: 56 KM
🔹 7-day ski pass: 190 KM
🔸 Season ticket: 540 KM
More information about skiing on Vlašić and a map of the slopes can be found here.
Kupres Ski Resort
This ski resort is only around 300 kilometres from Zagreb and is somewhat smaller and quieter than the other winter sports resorts – the area is therefore also suitable for families with children. You ski here at an altitude of 1,100 to 1,500 metres and are also only an hour away from the towns of Travnik and Jajce, which are both well worth a visit!
A few facts and figures:
🔹 6 kilometres of medium-difficulty slopes
🔸 7 kilometres of beginner slopes
🔹 2 ski lifts
Costs:
🔹 Day ski pass: 35 KM
🔸 Children’s day ski pass: 25 KM
The best time to go skiing in Bosnia and Herzegovina
If you are planning a skiing holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina, then December to mid-March is the best time to go.
In the period between the years, many Croats and Serbs traditionally use the mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina for their winter holidays, which means that accommodation directly on the mountains is fully booked months in advance. However, if you don’t mind spending the night in Sarajevo and travelling to the mountains by shuttle, that’s no problem – and you’ll have city life and snow fun in one!
We will be happy to help you plan your winter sports trip! Fill out our questionnaire, and we’ll get back to you with a personalized, bespoke itinerary. We have put together some general travel information about Bosnia and Herzegovina here.