Kopaonik and Jahorina are the most expensive winter centers in the countries of the region, with prices often higher than in more developed alpine ski resorts.
The "second league" when it comes to prices, but also the quality of the offer, is led by the Kolasin ski resorts, and a family of four needs a substantial amount of money for a seven-day winter vacation and skiing in any center of Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fans of winter sports will experience the biggest blow to their wallets by paying for ski passes and accommodation...
Montenegro: Waiting for snow
Despite, as tourism officials say, quality preparations for the season, Kolašin is without guests these days, except for a certain number of tourists in hotels. The lack of snow again dictates the pace of the winter season, so in that city they hope that the end of January will make up for the losses so far and the massive cancellation of reservations. Some accommodation providers claim that they have not had any guests for weeks, but also that reservations for the following days are being cancelled. If it does not snow soon, the losses of the tourism industry will be huge, say the owners of private accommodation.
Considering that the ski resorts are not yet open, there are tourists in Kolašin, mostly from abroad, during the weekend, according to the local Tourist Organization. Most choose to stay in hotels.
Accommodation prices in Kolašin are very diverse, but have not changed significantly compared to the last winter season. In recent days, a "bed" could be found in private accommodation for 10 euros per person. Accommodation in most apartments costs from 30 to 70 euros per day. At that price, it is also possible to rent smaller holiday homes on the outskirts of the city.
Half-board prices in several private hotels are 60 and more euros. In the better-known Kolašin hotel Bjanka, the price of the winter package is 84 euros per person per night. It is about half board, and it refers to a double room. Outside of that package, the price of half board is 115 euros per person. On Buking, it is possible to see very different prices for accommodation in that hotel, depending on the type of room and the number of people. It is not rare that everything is occupied, except for the most expensive apartments, which are often unattainable for the average tourist who comes to Kolašin.
The price of a daily ski pass at the state ski resort Kolašin 1600 is 25 euros, and it is 10 euros cheaper at the private Kolašin 1450. A three-day ski pass at the state ski resort costs 37,5 euros for children and 56,5 euros for adults. A seven-day children's pass is 56,5 euros, and for adults 84 euros. Seasonal ski pass for children is 250 euros, and for adults 400 euros. A tourist ride on the cable car costs 5 or 8 euros.
A daily ski pass for children on a private ski resort is 11 euros, and for adults 15 euros. A three-day children's pass costs 32 euros, and for adults 40 euros, while a seven-day pass costs 74 or 81 euros. Seasonal ski pass is 250 or 400 euros. A single cable car ride for children is 5 euros, and for adults 8 euros.
Those ski centers recently announced an upcoming agreement that will allow skiers to buy a unique ski pass for using the entire ski infrastructure on Bjelasica. Its price will reportedly be slightly lower than the combined price of the individual ones at the two ski resorts.
Renting ski/snowboard equipment usually costs from 12 to 15 euros per day.
In Kolašin, there are about 3.200 beds in hotels and private accommodation, and that number is increasing almost every day. Three hotels are categorized with four stars, and two with three. The first hotel (four stars) in Bjelasica, in the immediate vicinity of the ski slopes, was opened a few weeks ago. The categorization of private accommodation is varied, from two to five stars, so apartments and rooms are suitable for everyone's budget and standard, explains the local Tourist Organization.
Prices in Kolašin restaurants and cafes are the same as last season, or ten percent more expensive. You can have breakfast and lunch for twenty euros per person. The exception is the restaurant at the private ski resort, where the prices are much higher.
In most restaurants, breakfast costs from 3 to 6,5 euros. The most expensive is the so-called "mountain breakfast", while a popara or a bun with cream and prosciutto costs 5, an omelet of your choice or priganice...
The most expensive stew is 3,5 euros, and the most expensive dish to order (beef steak) is 16 euros. The specialty house for two people can be found at an average price of 23 euros. Grilled dishes are from 7 to 13 euros.
A glass of various types of brandy costs from 1,5 to 3,2 euros, which is the same price as juices, with the exception of squeezed orange, for which it is necessary to pay 3,5 euros.
Turkish coffee does not exceed one euro, tea 1,5 euros...
The prices are similar in Žabljak, where more snow is also waiting for the opening of the ski season. Privately owned accommodation facilities were mostly fully booked in the first half of January, despite the lack of snow. In the second half of the month, there are fewer guests.
Serbia: Sport for deeper wallets
Skiing may not have a tradition in Serbia as a form of recreation popular among a wide range of the population, but judging by the occupancy of hotels in the main mountain centers in recent years and the crowds on the cable cars, it is slowly becoming an increasingly popular way to spend a winter vacation.
And yet, judging by this season's prices, white-knuckling will have to remain a sport reserved for those with deeper wallets for the time being. And often so deep, that for the money set aside for a week on Kopaonik, they could easily find accommodation in one of the ski centers in Austria, Italy or France.
Thus, a seven-day ski pass for the next period (until February 10) on Kopaonik costs 24.130 dinars (about 200 euros) for adults and 15.500 (about 125 euros) for children.
In Stara planina and Tornik, that is, Zlatibor, the prices are slightly lower and amount to 13.130 (about 110 euros) for adults and 8.750 (a little more than 70 euros) for children. At the same time, everyone over the age of 12 is considered an adult.
This means that a family of three needs about 64.000 dinars (more than 500 euros) for a ski pass this winter if they plan to spend their vacation on Kopaonik, or 26.000 (more than 200 euros) for one of the other two most popular ski resorts.
If you don't have your own ski equipment, you don't have to worry, because equipment can be rented everywhere. Prices vary, but with a special family package, equipment can be obtained for 6.500 dinars (a little more than 50 euros) for adults and 5.300 (about 45 euros) for children for a week. For a family of three, that's another 18.000 dinars (150 euros).
When the question of skiing is solved, you should also find a place to sleep. Prices in hotels could best be described as "the world's, and ours", while private accommodation is more affordable, but keeps up.
In the Grand Hotel on Kopaonik, one of the most luxurious on this mountain, a family of three can rent a standard double room with breakfast for six nights for about 200.000 dinars (about 1.700 euros), while half-board is about 230.000 (almost 2.000 euros). Those who are sure that they will not cancel the arrangement can go cheaper with the half-board price of 207.000 dinars (about 1.900 euros). Of course, you can get to the Grand by your own car, the parking of which in the hotel garage will cost another 2.344 dinars per day (almost 20 euros).
Of course, you can relax on Kopaonik cheaper, so in Kraljevo Konak, 3,5 kilometers from the center, a family can spend six nights with breakfast in an apartment for about 43.000 dinars (a little more than 350 euros), while a kilometer closer, in the Mujen Hotel lux you have to pay about twice as much, and somewhat more modest accommodation in Mila apartments costs about 60.000 dinars (500 euros).
In Zlatibor, the prices are similar, although somewhat more favorable than in Kopaonik. Thus, just 600 meters from the center of Zlatibor, you can rent a room or an apartment in the three-star hotel Agape for 63.000 dinars (about 520 euros) for six nights, while four-star hotels cost from 50.000 dinars (about 400 euros) to 90.000 dinars. (about 750 euros). Mona plaza Zlatibor with breakfast costs just under 100.000 dinars (about 800 euros) for six nights.
If you want more than that, the Grand&Sky Hotel Tornik is available, where an apartment for six nights costs about 190.000 dinars (about 1.600 euros), with breakfast and dinner.
Fortunately, there is also private accommodation that can be found for as little as twenty thousand dinars (about 170 euros), up to price levels that are no different from high-class hotels.
All in all, a family can hardly spend a week skiing on one of the mountains without spending at least 60.000-70.000 dinars (500 to 600 euros) in the most modest variant, or, more realistically, about 100.000 dinars (about 800 euros) for an average arrangement with solid accommodation. Kopaonik is an exception for which more money should be planned.
Of course, all this is without food (except for breakfast, which is included in these prices), without coffee, drinks and any other activities, as well as without transportation costs to and from the winter resort, which considering the prices for restaurants and cafes in tourist centers means an additional cost of another thirty thousand dinars (about 250 euros) for a seven-day family trip.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: The most expensive in Jahorina, but also the most crowded
The ski season in Bosnia and Herzegovina in most centers started in mid-January. The reason for the delay is the above average warm December, as well as the first ten days of this year. Colder air brought lower temperatures and snow that covered Jahorina, Bjelašnica and Vlašić, the most visited winter tourist destinations in the country.
"We have acquired 25 new cannons that will provide optimal snow cover. Since the opening of the ski resort in the new season, on November 26, we have hosted almost 70.000 guests, achieving around 450.000 passes", he said. Dejan Ljevnaic, director of the Jahorina Olympic Center.
From this year, Jahorina also has its own accommodation facilities - 24 apartments located 100 meters from the ski slope in Šator.
A daily ticket on Jahorina in the pre- and post-season for adults costs 73, in the middle of the season 79, and in the "peak" part 86 KM (1 euro is still almost 2 KM).
Accommodation prices per person range from 115 to 765 KM (for an apartment for up to six people).
Espresso coffee in catering facilities costs 4 to 4,50 KM, tea 5 KM, hamburger with fries 19, and a portion of kebab with fries 21 KM.
In Jahorina, the opening of the Museum dedicated to the Winter Olympic Games held in Sarajevo 40 years ago is planned.
The Bjelašnica Olympic Center opened its tracks on December 10.
"The season has never been better, as has the attendance. We opened Malo Polje on Igman on January 13. An ice rink is open for our youngest visitors, which is completely free of charge," she said Aida Memovic from ZOI '84.
A day ticket on Bjelašnica for adults costs 47 KM, a half-day ticket 39 KM, and night skiing 30 KM. A day ticket for children up to 12 years old is 30, and night skiing is 10 KM, while for children from 13 to 18 years, a day ticket costs 37, and night skiing 25 KM.
When it comes to accommodation, it ranges from 86 to 494 KM.
The price of espresso coffee in catering facilities is 3-3,50 KM, and a portion of kebab goes up to 20 KM.
In the middle of the month, the ski season started in Vlašić. When it comes to the prices of the ski lifts for Babanovac and Markovac, they are daily
Ski-pass is 32 KM, half-day 25 KM, how much does night skiing cost.
A daily ski pass in the Sunce complex is 20 KM, and half-day and night skiing is 15 KM.
For a ski pass in the Eko FIS Vlašić complex, a daily ski pass is 20 KM, half-day and night skiing are 15 KM, and a panoramic ride is 5 KM.
"The winter season is a continuation of the good spring-summer and autumn tourist season. There are a large number of guests from the entire region," he said Samer Dolovac, director of the Tourist Board of the municipality of Travnik.
The range of prices for overnight stays in hotels in Vlašić ranges from 98 to 465 KM (an apartment for a maximum of six people).
The price of coffee in catering establishments is 3 KM, and kebab 12 KM.
The opening of the ski season in Kupres, which gathers the majority of skiers and boarders from western BiH and Dalmatia, was on January 13. Ticket prices at Kupres remained the same as last year. A day ticket for adults is 40 KM, a half-day ticket is 28,50 KM, while a day ticket for children is 28 KM, and a half-day ticket is 23 KM.
Bed and breakfast in a single room at Hotel Adria ski is 126 KM, and in an apartment 260 KM.
Ravna planina ski center is located in Gornje Pale. A daily ski pass there is 30 KM for adults, 25 half-day, and 25 KM for children, and 20 KM for a half-day, while night skiing is 25 KM. A panoramic ride in the Gondola is 15 KM.
"Four buildings in the hotel-apartment complex have been completed. We have 100 apartment units with more than 500 beds. The construction of seven buildings is underway and should be completed by the end of the year," she said Kristina Golijanin, director of the Ravna planina agency.
An overnight stay in a one-room apartment that can accommodate up to five people is 390 KM, and for a two-room apartment that can accommodate up to eight people, it is 490 KM. This includes their breakfast, parking space for the vehicle and a daily ski pass for all persons during their stay.
In the Gondola restaurant, the price of espresso coffee is 2,50 KM, tea 3,50 KM, soup costs 6, and pizza 12 KM.
Due to insufficient amounts of snow, the ski season has not yet started in SC Rostovo near Bugojno, on Ponijer near Kakanj, SC Pridolca in Busovača, RC Brusnica near Fojnica and SC Rancha in Jajce.
Skiing took place in SC Busovačka planina for two days, and in the center on Kozari mountain for four days, from January 11 to 14.
It is encouraging to know that there are domestic guests, but at least as many, if not more, guests from the region, that is, from the former Yugoslavia, but there are also those who came from Germany, Austria and Hungary.
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