Brezovica is a small ski center however it is the biggest in Kosovo. With old infrastructure, low maintenance and some communist style hotels, it offers an interesting jewel more than a ski experience, due to very weak infrastructure. However whatever is not there because of people is there because of nature. The pists are very wide and offer off piste skiing even after a lift tour to the top. The views are amazing and the center is quite high compared to other ski centers in the region. The lifts start at 1700 meters above the sea level and reach up to 2200 meters.
For ski touring there are several trails one can take from the ski center.
The best one is climbing to the peak of Guri i Zi or Crni Kamen in Serbian at 2536 meters. This peak can be climbed from two points one of them is before you reach the ski center. YOu can park your car in the parking place and start your adventure. Total climb for this peak is about 700 meters of uhill struggle then coming down with your skis by choosing several different paths.
Other peaks to be climbed are Piribreg 2524. This peak can be reached also with the lift. From Piribreg one can walk in the ridge of the mountain and reach numerous other peaks which open the opportyunity for more off piste skiing: Rafta and Guri i Zi in the east and Livadica 2497 in the west.
For ski touring there are several trails one can take from the ski center.
The best one is climbing to the peak of Guri i Zi or Crni Kamen in Serbian at 2536 meters. This peak can be climbed from two points one of them is before you reach the ski center. YOu can park your car in the parking place and start your adventure. Total climb for this peak is about 700 meters of uhill struggle then coming down with your skis by choosing several different paths.
Other peaks to be climbed are Piribreg 2524. This peak can be reached also with the lift. From Piribreg one can walk in the ridge of the mountain and reach numerous other peaks which open the opportyunity for more off piste skiing: Rafta and Guri i Zi in the east and Livadica 2497 in the west.
Ski in Brezovica
Ski resort Most people come to Brezovica for the skiing. Brezovica has snow from December to the end of April and is higher up than Kopaonik and has better snow than Popova Šapka or Mavrovo. There are six basins in Brezovica. The height of the resort is from 1,718m at the ski hotels and base of the lifts, to 2,522m. Before you get too excited – yes, Brezovica has tremendous potential and could be a truly fabulous ski resort but it is currently a victim of Kosovo’s political situation and international dithering, resulting in a ski resort stuck in a time warp, suffering from serious under-investment. It desperately needs some major capital spent on the lifts and on general slope maintenance. There are about 11 lifts in varying states of decay but at the moment only two chairlifts ever run regularly, together with a T-bar on a crowded beginners’ slope.
To ski in Brezovica you have to adjust your expectations as Brezovica really is like no other ski resort. Despite being a Serb area, lots of Albanians visit. Many do not have enough money to ski or to buy the equipment so many just come on a day trip scantily clad. They slide around in the snow and ride the lift once up and down, giggling and shivering in their jeans and often even high heels. For them this is a special trip and they certainly seem to have a great day out.
A manager of a Western ski resort might suffer a heart attack at the absence of safety arrangements as the crowds congregate right on the pistes intermingled with sleds and teenagers shooting down the slope out of control on pieces of plastic. Furthermore, as if to create a target for the sledgers and skiers rather like a skittle alley, the local vendors set up stalls of food, drink and beer right at the bottom of the piste next to the chairlifts. Again, try not to wince too much when the couple on the lift in front throw the waste from their food and drink into the snow below. The operating slopes include one beginners’ slope and one steep black/red run on the front of the double chair and a red on the backside. The pistes are neither marked, nor groomed.
For all these reasons and the absence of snow patrols, helmets are a good idea and while there is great off-piste skiing to be had, small avalanches are not unheard of. Go with a friend and bear in mind that there is no real rescue service and limited health care. The lifts have to be switched to the generators when the power stops so be prepared to be suspended in mid air for quite long periods and wear appropriate clothes.
To drive up the 8km from the village to the resort you ideally need snow tyres with chains or a 4¥4 as the road can be very slippery. It is also badly maintained. During the ski season there is usually a fee for entering the car parking area which is approximately €1.50 per car and then €1 for each person in the car. Sundays tend to be busier than Saturdays and the parking can extend down the hill a long way and be quite chaotic. Weekdays are beautifully quiet, but occasionally the lift staff may be reluctant to open the lifts. Ring the Molika Hotel ahead on a weekday to find out if there is a group staying. If this is the case then they may be opening the lifts and you might have your best midweek day out.
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To ski in Brezovica you have to adjust your expectations as Brezovica really is like no other ski resort. Despite being a Serb area, lots of Albanians visit. Many do not have enough money to ski or to buy the equipment so many just come on a day trip scantily clad. They slide around in the snow and ride the lift once up and down, giggling and shivering in their jeans and often even high heels. For them this is a special trip and they certainly seem to have a great day out.
A manager of a Western ski resort might suffer a heart attack at the absence of safety arrangements as the crowds congregate right on the pistes intermingled with sleds and teenagers shooting down the slope out of control on pieces of plastic. Furthermore, as if to create a target for the sledgers and skiers rather like a skittle alley, the local vendors set up stalls of food, drink and beer right at the bottom of the piste next to the chairlifts. Again, try not to wince too much when the couple on the lift in front throw the waste from their food and drink into the snow below. The operating slopes include one beginners’ slope and one steep black/red run on the front of the double chair and a red on the backside. The pistes are neither marked, nor groomed.
For all these reasons and the absence of snow patrols, helmets are a good idea and while there is great off-piste skiing to be had, small avalanches are not unheard of. Go with a friend and bear in mind that there is no real rescue service and limited health care. The lifts have to be switched to the generators when the power stops so be prepared to be suspended in mid air for quite long periods and wear appropriate clothes.
To drive up the 8km from the village to the resort you ideally need snow tyres with chains or a 4¥4 as the road can be very slippery. It is also badly maintained. During the ski season there is usually a fee for entering the car parking area which is approximately €1.50 per car and then €1 for each person in the car. Sundays tend to be busier than Saturdays and the parking can extend down the hill a long way and be quite chaotic. Weekdays are beautifully quiet, but occasionally the lift staff may be reluctant to open the lifts. Ring the Molika Hotel ahead on a weekday to find out if there is a group staying. If this is the case then they may be opening the lifts and you might have your best midweek day out.
More resources