6 full days cat-skiing in the spectacular Shar Mountains of North Macedonia.
While the well known resorts across Europe are overcrowded and tracked out, the freeriding in the Balkans is completely undiscovered and waiting to be ridden. From wide slopes to narrow couloirs and natural gullies with vertical drops of up to 850 metres per run. The terrain here is suitable for both intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. On a day with good visibility there are no restrictions and there’s safe alpine lines almost everywhere. Expect powder turns from top to bottom. In snowy conditions, we’ll ride tree runs where the powder stays protected from the wind.
The Shar mountains extend from Kosovo and the northwest of North Macedonia through to northeastern Albania boasting peaks of up to 2,748 metres. But it’s the open faces of these ranges that make them perfect for catskiing and allows for unlimited freeride possibilities.
Throughout the tour we stay in a slopeside hotel at Popova Shapka where you’ll experience incredible hospitality, excellent traditional cuisine and world-class wines. For our last night you’ll stay in a backcountry hunter’s lodge sampling locally sourced produce accompanied with incredible wine. For our last day we will visit Matka Canyon where we’ll travel by boat to Vrelo cave which is one of the deepest underwater caves in the world. In the afternoon, we’ll visit Skopje old town and take in the cultural highlights of the Balkans.
Dates
23 February - 03 March, 2023
Guest to Guide Ratio
3 guests : 1 guide
Price
EUR €2,750
Tour Type
Freeride - catski
Why Travel With Mint
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. We are a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conduct business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
TOUR DETAILS
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
WHERE ARE THE BALKANS
The word Balkan is Turkish for "mountains", so it's probably not surprising that the aptly-named peninsula is covered in mountain ranges. The Balkan Peninsula comprises of 11 countries located in the southeastern edge of the European continent. These former Yugoslavian states include; Slovenia, Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Montenegro, Moldova, North Macedonia and Kosovo.
ABOUT CAT SKIING
Snowcat assisted skiing and snowboarding in Macedonia has been quite active in the last few years, mainly because of the natural formation of the mountains allowing easy access by snowcat and opening up endless alpine options. In low visibility the plan is usually to stay on lower aspects to ride the trees where the powder stays protected from the wind.
GUIDES & SAFETY
Our local Balkan team have over 10 years of guiding experience in the Shar mountain region and are all skilled splitboard and freeride experts. Two guides are provided on each snowcat daily and all necessary backcountry equipment such as avalanche transceiver and ABS avalanche backpacks are provided.
SNOW & CONDITIONS
Our tour is scheduled to run during peak snow season in the Balkans. You can expect anything from perfect bluebird days, corn riding or powder in the trees. Even if we don’t get fresh snow overnight, the altitude and our local knowledge will ensure you’ll be able to ride light dry snow days after a storm.
SMALL GROUPS
This is a small group tour. When we are on mountain our guest to guide ratio is 1 : 3. This allows a more personal experience between our guests and guides. This ensures you get the most out of your time with us, and keeping the groups small means less time waiting and more time riding powder!
PRE-TOUR SUPPORT
After you sign up for a tour, you will receive pre-trip emails with specific information about your tour, the arrival and departure day process, information about the destination, packing suggestions, and other relevant information to help you prepare for your trip. In addition to this, you have access to our customer care team who are just a phone-call away. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
ESSENTIAL INFO
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES
- 6 days of cat skiing – 3000+ vertical meters per day (depending on weather and conditions, up to 5000m per day)
- 7 nights slope-side accommodation, Popova Shapka (twin share)
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner package in Popova Shapka
- 2 x Wine tastings at Popova Shapka
- Rakija Tasting
- 1 night accommodation, Hunter’s Lodge Kamnik (twin share)
- Traditional local dinner and wine tasting at Hunters Lodge
- All safety equipment including ABS avalanche bag, transceiver, shovel and probe
- All ground transportation including airport transfers
- Skopje Daily Excursion with visit of Matka Canyon and boat trip to Vrelo Cave
- Mint Tours guiding and hosting
DATES 23 February – 03 March, 2023
PRO-TIP – GO PRIVATE!
Book this tour as a private departure – with your own guide and all the benefits of a Mint group tour – for any group, big or small (even just one traveller). Get in touch to discuss.
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT?
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. Mint is a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conducts business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we can take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre-or post tour arrangements.
WHAT IS A BACKCOUNTRY TOUR?
Our Backcountry Tours offer you the best chance to ride or ski untracked powder snow out of the ski area boundaries where there is a greater risk of avalanche and other natural hazards. Guests will need to have prior backcountry experience and be physically fit and prepared to ski tour for up to 4-6 hours per day. Our experienced guides have an in-depth knowledge of the Shar Mountain region which gives you the ultimate advantage when chasing deep, un-tracked snow. We’ll aim to ride and ski a lot of alpine, powder and trees so please be prepared to ride and ski for 6 days straight. Of course weather and conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to listen to their guides and adapt to all situations.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
About 99% of our guests are travelling solo, so you’ll be in good company. If you are travelling solo, you will be paired with another guest to room with. The accommodation for this tour is twin share i.e. 2 beds per room. Your group will be made up mostly of solo travellers. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that a destination has to offer.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THIS TOUR?
Each tour is different, but we know that by offering one of the smallest client to guide ratio in the industry allows you to ski or snowboard at your preferred pace, and ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. We have a maximum of 6 people on this tour. This ensures you get the most out of your time with us, and keeping the groups small means less time waiting and more time riding powder.
IS THIS TOUR RIGHT FOR ME?
This tour is best suited to intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders who are physically fit and have prior off-piste and powder riding experience. If you’re not sure, give us a call. Weather and ski conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride or ski anything. Please be prepared to ride and ski in the trees.
WHICH RESORTS WILL WE VISIT?
We will be based at the ski areas of Popova Shapka in North Macedonia, however, the catski and backcountry terrain is located beyond the ski area boundaries.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY ON AFTER THE TOUR?
For most tours you can arrive earlier or stay later. We can tailor the trip to suit your travel plans. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
WHO ARE THE GUIDES?
All of our tours are guided by friendly, knowledgeable and expertly trained guides who are passionate about the mountains. Most of our guides work for us season after season. If you have a preferred Mint guide, just let us know and we’ll be able to tell you which tours they are leading.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No, flights are not included. If you need assistance booking flights, we can book you the best flight options for the tour, with no booking fees.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes. All guests on tour need to be covered be comprehensive travel insurance. Once you have booked on the tour, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. We offer all of our tour guests discounted snow specific travel insurance.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I’VE BOOKED?
Once you’ve booked your spot on tour, we will send you through a booking confirmation and provide updates about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information. We will send out a Pre Departure Guide 30 days prior to departure.
HOW CAN I CHECK MY ABILITY LEVEL?
The best way to check if a tour is suited to your ability is by speaking with one of our tour specialists. They will be able to determine if the tour you have selected is a good fit for your ability, as well as suggesting other tour options.
HOW DO I GET TO THE BALKANS?
We’ll provide you with a guide with details on how to get to North Macedonia and where to meet your hosts. If it’s your fist time to the Balkans or if you’re unsure about travel arrangements, often we can link you up with other tour guests to travel with.
HOW DO I CHECK AVAILABILITY?
Speak with one of our tour specialists. As this is a small group tour with limited availability, it’s best to get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
DO YOU TAKE SKIERS & SNOWBOARDERS?
We are ski and snowboard friendly. Please note that the majority of our tours are led by snowboard guides.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT?
Snowboards and ski equipment is available for rental.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING?
Along with ski and snowboard equipment, we recommend that guests have a good quality waterproof jacket and pants, lightweight insulated layer, merino base layers, merino gloves and waterproof gloves, goggles with low light & high light lenses, sunglasses, balaclava, beanie, and helmet. We recommend that all guests bring their own ski or snowboarding equipment for the tour (board, boots, bindings & outerwear).
WHO WILL BE ON MY TOUR?
Your group will be made up of travellers from diverse backgrounds and will be varied in age. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that the Balkans has to offer.
PRICE PER PERSON
EUR € 2,750 per person
RESERVATION AND DEPOSIT
To secure your spot on tour, a 50% deposit is payable within 3 days of booking. The balance is due 90 days prior to tour departure.
If you would like some more information or a quote for the tour you can contact us by:
1. ONLINE
Click on ‘Enquire’ below and send us your details. Once we receive your request one of our Tour Specialists will be in touch with a with a quote, availability and further details about the tour.
2. OVER THE PHONE
Call us and follow the prompts to speak to one of our Tour Specialists.
Within Australia (03) 5296 0314
3. EMAIL
Drop us an email and one of our Tour Specialists will be in touch with a with a quote, availability and further details about the tour.