Catskiing-Trip – Wild Macedonia
Freeride adventure in the wild Balkans for adventurers.
Freeride skiing and snowboarding in the forgotten mountains of North Macedonia.
Date
January – April (first week)
1 week (individual dates on request)
Freeride adventure in the wild mountains of the Balkans.
Freeride Trip: Catskiing in North-Macedonia
Freeriding in North Macedonia? What, where? You’re probably asking yourself these questions. Join us in the impressive mountain landscapes of Macedonia and find out for yourself.
On our one-week freeriding trip, you will experience tours in untouched, wild nature and make fresh tracks in the pristine snowy landscape.
Several large open basins nestle against a main ridge – from here we reach the various descents: Different runs are available to us in all directions. Alpine terrain or open forest – the local guide decides what to ski.
You benefit from the best conditions and do 8-10 runs per day with 200-1000 meters of altitude. Some of the descents are hilly, with steep slopes to the north and gentle alpine meadows to the south. Depending on the conditions and the group, we make an average of 4000 vertical meters.
Cat skiing in Macedonia generally means skiing on untracked terrain. You should therefore be able to cope with all snow conditions: Although the terrain is very varied, you should expect wind-pressed snow as well as firn or broken snow.
Our seven-day tour includes 6 days of catskiing in the Sharr Mountains (3 days) and in Pelister National Park (3 days).
Individual travel packages and single day trips on reqest. English speaking guides.
Hey,
I am Marius, founder of Mountain Moments, professional outdoor photographer and passionate mountain lover!
Together with our local mountain guides, we discover the wild mountain regions of the Balkans in winter and summer. Find out more about me.
Contact us for a personalized offer.
Gallery
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Itinerary and description catskiing trip Macedonia
On the Macedonia freeride trip you can expect a mixture of tradition, culture, pristine landscapes and six days of downhill fun with 3000-5000 vertical meters of freeride runs with the Snowcat.
The mountains are not too high at a maximum of 2780m and are also relatively gentle for the most part. The entire alpine area is virtually deserted in winter (as in summer). Away from the modern snowcats and our professional guides, the North Macedonian mountains are untouched. Here you can still feel the wild mountain world up close and authentically.
The cat skiing trip to North Macedonia is still a real insider tip.
Itinerary
Both the weather and snow conditions determine our itinerary depending on the day. You can comfortably rely on our local guides and our experience – they also know adventurous or enjoyable alternatives for bad weather.
The planned itinerary:
Day 1: Individual arrival in Skopje. Depending on the time of arrival, we explore the city center and the old town from the Ottoman period or enjoy the view from Skopje’s local mountain. We then continue to the Popova Shapka ski resort, where we spend 3 nights in a typical local hotel with full board. The hotel is located within a snowball’s throw of the start of the snowcat ski day.
Day 2 / 3 / 4: We shred the Sharr mountains for three days. Our local guide (German-speaking guide or private snowcat on request) will show you the best runs and find the best snow for us. In the evening we sit together in a cozy group and enjoy. At the end of the fourth day we drive to Bitola, in the Pelister National Park. We spend the next 3 days and nights here.
Day 4 / 5 / 6: Untouched nature far away from any civilization, we try to climb the highest mountain in the Western Balkans, the 2764m high Korab. In the evening we head to the UNESCO cultural heritage site of Ohrid on the lake of the same name. We spend the night in one of the best family-run hotels in the region – the traditional food is particularly praised (we can confirm this).
Day 7: Another well-deserved rakja or (non-alcoholic) makiato and we take you to Skopje airport for your journey home.
Start and end: Skopje airport (alternative: Tirana)
Note: The guide will decide the exact itinerary at short notice depending on the weather, so that you can get the most out of your days.
A view more pics of what awaits you
Impressions
Prices / Services
Group trip
7 days / 6 nights
6 days catskiing
From / to Skopje
All transfers on site
Overnight stay in double rooms (3***)
3 meals per day (breakfast with cafe etc., lunch on the mountain, dinner in hotel)
from 1850 Euro, on request
Private trip
We will be happy to put together an individual offer for you.
We can also arrange private cat skiing on request.
Included
Excluded
Request your adventure now
FAQs
What can I expect on the downhill runs?
The snowcats, each with one (or two) guides, take you to the respective starting points. The guide decides which runs are to be made and where the run lines are located. The guide’s instructions must be strictly followed.
Most descents are around 300 meters in altitude. The steepness varies, mostly moderately steep slopes up to 35° are skied. Steeper descents can also be skied if the snow conditions and the group allow it.
The snow conditions are often homogeneous, which is conducive to skiing fun. However, the snow cover is often somewhat harder and you rarely find really deep powder snow. Here and there there is certainly some broken snow – ideal for improving your skiing technique. Often, however, soft snow or firn is the norm.
You should therefore be a confident skier and be able to find your way off-piste.
Very steep or extremely steep descents over 40° only with a private guide or a well-balanced, very good group and group request.
Safety: If you put yourself, the group or others in unnecessary danger – contrary to the guide’s instructions – it is the guide’s responsibility to exclude you from the runs if necessary. This is for the safety of all participants.
How fit do I need to be?
Every day we ski 3000-5000 vertical meters uphill in different terrain and snow types.
You should be in good physical condition and others should judge you as a safe off-piste skier.
I am a freeride beginner, is the trip suitable for me?
No, you should already have experience off the groomed slopes and know and master different types of snow.
This trip is not suitable for pure freeride beginners. You should have some training days under your belt beforehand. We can also offer you this on site – please make a separate request via the contact form.
What special dangers await me on this trip?
In general, traveling to North Macedonia is much safer than the general opinion.
The main danger in the mountains is the wildness – there is no really functioning rescue system. Our guides are all trained guides and mountain rescuers and have equipment and knowledge of mountain rescue. However, a separate rescue net with heli rescue is only possible with luck.
We therefore recommend riding much more defensively here: The focus is on more enjoyment rather than sporting records!
I get sick or can’t join, what happens then?
No problem, just let us know as soon as possible.
However, if cancellation costs are incurred before you cancel, we will have to pass these on to you.
Insurance – what do I need?
We recommend that you take your typical safety precautions in advance that you would normally take on a mountain trip.
As standard, you should have mountain insurance for alpine accidents (e.g. through alpine clubs), and foreign health insurance is also a good idea (non-EU countries). Travel cancellation insurance is also worth considering.
Does the tour also take place in bad weather?
Bad weather or even storms are part of an outdoor winter tour.
Our guides adapt the daily program daily. You will be informed of any necessary changes to the program no later than the evening before. Our guides will discuss the deviations from the plan with you and together we will find an enjoyable program for the participants based on the guide’s suggestions.
Cultural “bad weather” alternatives are e.g. paragliding, MTB, lake tour, sailing, snowshoe hiking, cat skiing, wine tasting, historical guided city tour etc.
Do you have any tips on travel/air luggage?
Skopje Airport is easily accessible from most domestic airports, even with low-cost airlines (Ryanair, Wizzair…).
Tips for packing your flight baggage:
1.) Hand luggage (touring backpack 25-40 liters):
This is where you pack your ski clothing including underwear, ski socks, gloves and hat. In addition, the avalanche transceiver, sunglasses and ski goggles as well as all electronic devices. You pack your ski boots as additional hand luggage in a boot bag or separately on the plane.
2) Checked baggage skis: The freeride skis plus poles in a ski bag, or a large ski bag including other personal equipment (bulky baggage).
3) Checked baggage: All remaining personal equipment including casual clothing for the evening in the ski bag or checked baggage. Please only a maximum of one external pannier or semi-soft suitcase (no hard-shell suitcase).
What equipment do I need?
Although rental equipment is available on site, we strongly recommend that you bring at least your own ski boots (in your hand luggage!) and clothing.
Included: Avalanche emergency kit: rental avalanche airbag backpack as well as shovel, probe and avalanche transceiver (LVS)
In principle, you should be equipped for an average day of freeriding in a ski resort in the Alps.
Of course, you will receive a packing list from us before your trip, but as this is not a trip for beginners, you should already know what you need anyway.
The guide will check your equipment on site – if something arrives late on the plane, rental equipment is available (for a fee).
What does ‘upscale typical local accommodation’ mean?
The accommodation in the region is of a lower standard: a hotel that claims to be 4 stars is about the same as 2-3* accommodation in Germany/Austria/Switzerland.
In particular, the quality of doors, showers, toilets etc. is sometimes questionable. We do our best to select the best accommodations with motivated owners – unfortunately it is not possible for us to change this quality. Think of it as a special Balkan experience – improvisation is part of the culture.
The quality of the food is often much better than at home, especially meat dishes.
