Good for ski resorts, bad for private individuals

The ski season in Kolašin, thanks to new snowfall, will last at least 15 more skiing days. According to the state-run Ski Center "Kolašin 1600", this is guaranteed by the current snow depth.

As the executive director of the Ski Resorts of Montenegro (SCG) told "Vijesti": Bojan Medenica, last weekend was extremely successful when it comes to the number of visitors.

"Another successful Sunday, another successful weekend is behind us. A weekend and days that show and prove the importance of ski centers for the entire tourism industry. The 'Kolašin 1600' ski center has greatly exceeded the figure of 20.000 ski passes sold. We have 44 ski days behind us and, most importantly, skiing is at its peak. The slopes of the 'Kolašin 1600' Ski Center have plenty of snow and are prepared at the highest level. We have snow for at least another 15 ski days. However, what is most important, we have sunny days ahead of us. We haven't had many of them this season. My assessment is that the best skiing will be in the coming days," said Medenica.

He announces that Serbia and Montenegro and the "Kolašin 1600" Ski Center will prepare "new benefits and new surprises" for visitors in the coming days.

However, owners of private accommodation in Kolašin do not share Medenica's enthusiasm when it comes to the success of the season. According to Duško Raketić, president of the Association of Private Accommodation Owners, this season could not be called successful. He considers the comparison with the previous winter season unjustified and recalls that during the 2024/2025 season there were only about 20 ski days.

Raketić says that there are only guests in private accommodation on weekends. He claims that there are few people who decide to spend the night in Kolašin during weekdays. That is why, since the winter school holidays ended, visits to private accommodation have been far from good. According to Raketić, this situation is due to several systemic shortcomings.

"It is very worrying that this is the case, considering that we have a winter with enough snow. I think that the uncertainty of guests about what can await them in Kolašin is crucial. Also, bad experiences from previous years. The condition of the road to the ski resort, the lack of artificial snow, unstable electricity supply... are some of the reasons, or problems, that have plagued the Kolašin tourism industry for years."

"People from Podgorica come to the ski resort via the highway and do not stay overnight in Kolašin. The number of guests from Serbia has dropped significantly because the K7 cable car, which connects the ski slopes of the private and state ski resorts, is not functioning. We have certainly lost 80 percent of guests from the Serbian market because of this," he said.

According to him, the state should urgently start serious work on artificial snowmaking, which would guarantee guests that skiing will be possible regardless of the weather conditions. Also, the six-seater K7 should be put into operation, which would guarantee a unified offer of both ski resorts.

Raketić further explains that overnight stays often do more harm than good to private accommodation providers. As he explains, the costs of heating rooms during the winter months are high, especially when apartments have to be prepared and heated for guests who are only staying one night.

According to him, the sustainability of private accommodation in the winter months is only possible with longer stays for guests.