Our camp base will be located in Popova Shapka - this is the top of the Shar mountain range and at the same time a ski village 65 km from Skopje with different slopes and lifts, infrastructure, restaurants and hotels. From here we make freeride trips to different locations in the mountains.

Popova Shapka is the most popular ski resort in Macedonia. There are about 20 km of slopes of varying difficulty and 9 lifts (3 chairs and lifts) that deliver to a height from 1650 up to 2525 meters.

Trails and lifts map

The price for one day ski pass will be about 20€, for 2 days - 35€, for 6 days - around 100€. Slopes are open from 9 till 15:30 and they have a night skiing from 19 till 22:00. The slopes are perfect for beginners and those who want to improve their piste technique.

But we, of course, will be interested in off-piste experience. We use the ski center in the first days for warm up and practicing techniques on unprepared slopes with an instructor, with avalanche safety and equipment trainings, group actions in case of emergency.

Backcountry and snowcating are becoming more and more popular in the Balkans. But so far, not so much that there were many tourists here, and this is definitely a plus - there are many locations with untouched powder and reasonable prices for everything. We will ride the best spots of the Shar-Planina mountain range with local guides. Taking into account that the transfers will mainly be on a snowcat, the participants will save a lot of energy and the number of descents per day is limited only by weather conditions, fatigue and daylight hours. Mostly freeride is practiced on mountain fields, but there are possibilities for forest riding (especially works when visibility is poor in the mountains).

Anyone who has sufficient freeride experience can participate in the camp. We have no prejudices and we are glad to both snowboarders and skiers, if the person is adequate and friendly.

North Macedonia is perfect for:
- beginners in freeride with sufficient experience in riding the slopes (the guide-instructor will provide practical classes in off-piste techniques, avalanche safety training);
- more experienced freeriders (many interesting lines and reliefs, both with snowcat rides and small ski tours);
- skiers and snowboarders who want to take a leisurely ride on the slopes and relax among the big mountains.

Keep this in mind though:

- For riding it is obligatory to have protective equipment (at least a helmet);
- freeride is suitable for both snowboarders and skiers who have some experience or are just starting to ride off-piste (freeride snowboard / skis are needed);
- freeride avalanche equipment is a must (included in the tour price);
- it is necessary to take into account your experience, state of health, physical fitness and medical contraindications for participating in program;
- Participation is for adults only;
- children may travel only if accompanied by a parent/legal representative or other adult, subject to the relevant legal requirements and necessary documents.

The road should be easy and pleasant, so we will help you find the best flights for you, taking into account our transfers and your country of departure!

Below is an example of flight times and ticket prices from Lithuania, Belarus and Poland:

From Vilnius
LOT  via Warsaw

The cost with sports equipment is about 285 Euro.

From Warsaw

LOT 

The cost with sports equipment is about 180 Euro.

From Minsk
Белавиа + Turkish Airlines

Cost with sports equipment - about 560 Euro + overnight stay in Istanbul.

All basic transportation inside Macedonia already included in the tour cost. Upon arrival at the airport, a minibus will be waiting for us. The road from Skopje will take about an hour and a half. We get back to the airport of departure in the same way.

What to take to the plane?

All freeride trips will be organized on a snowcat or with a small walking transfer from the ski lift. A minibus transfer is also organized for the excursion to Skopje.

Please note that airfare is not included in the tour price. You book and pay for air tickets yourself on the airline's website after confirmation of your order for participation in the camp. For our part, we select convenient flight options for participants and provide other necessary information, so we ask you to book participation in the trip in advance. Prices usually go up closer to the flight dates.

We ask you to find out in advance current requirements of the airline and the rules for crossing the border (including in connection with COVID-19), the conditions for changing and refunding the cost of tickets, baggage allowance.

Our group is accommodated in a comfortable 4-star hotel near the ski center with panoramic mountain views.

The hotel has WiFi, its own restaurant and bar, SPA, equipment storage and drying room, laundry. Let's stop separately at the SPA: there are two swimming pools, saunas, a hammam, a jacuzzi, a gym, a massage room. A complete set for relaxation, especially after intensive riding day!

We are staying in double rooms with private bathroom. Single occupancy available for an additional fee.

The price includes 3 meals a day: breakfasts and dinners at the hotel, and a lunch package in mountains. There is a big choice of dishes mainly from the local cuisine, a lot of good local wina and a craft beer. There is a choice of dishes for those who have food restrictions (you need to inform us about this in advance).

In Macedonia we are waiting for a very interesting and rich freeride program for a full 6 days!
The first two days will be training and riding with off-piste access from the top lift station of the ski resort Popova Shapka. For beginner freeriders, the guide-instructor will make classes on riding technique, avalanche safety and using avalanche equipment. But this will also be useful for experienced ones as well to refresh important skills and learn something new for themselves.
The third day will be off-piste with the drops from snowcat. The guide will show the best spots, the number of descents is limited only by our abilities and timing!
On the fourth day, we take a break and go on an interesting trip to the capital of Macedonia, Skopje. Here we will walk along the streets of the city with a guide and get to know the culture and traditions of the country with tasting local Balkan cuisine.
On the fifth and sixth days, with renewed energy, we break into new routes on a snowcat, go deeper and work out the technique.
On the seventh day there will be a backcountry trip to the wild slopes. Snowcat will take us to the starting point from our base. Then we walk to the summit on ski-touring equipment, splitboards or snowshoes (not included in the tour price). The ascent will not be difficult, but we will get to the most remote and powdered places to ride. Depending on the timing and strength of the participants, we will make one or more long descents.

After powder days in the evenings we organize briefings with a guide to review the day, mistakes and successes, and plan the next program in details.

The freeride program may change in our base due to weather conditions, avalanche safety or other objective reasons.

We work with local English-speaking guides who have extensive experience with groups and excellent knowledge of local routes, weather, terrain and dangerous areas.

To participate, it is not necessary to have a ski touring kit or a splitboard with skins - the main transfers will be on a snowcat, and the ascents on foot are not so long and you can rent snowshoes on the spot (about 15 euros per day). Ski-touring ski sets and several splitboards with skins are also available for rent on spot (20 euros per day).

The price of the tour already includes the rental of avalanche equipment (beacon, probe, shovel, avalanche backpack) for the duration of the freeride program.

During the trip, you can count on the full support and accompaniment of a russian-and English-speaking guide.

We will tell you where to buy ski passes, plan leisure activities and timing for each day, how and where it is better to exchange currency, where to go on excursions, where to go in an emergency, where to buy groceries and more.

We go to the most snowy and safe places for freeride. We will share useful life hacks, advise places for recreation and must visit places (and we will go there together at the request of the group).

The price also includes a guide assistance during the excursion to Skopje.

The freeride group is separately accompanied by local experienced guides-instructors.

Nationals of EU States and signatories of the Schengen Agreement DO NOT need a visa to enter the Republic of North Macedonia (and are eligible to enter the Republic of North Macedonia with a valid national identity card).

For a short-term stay not more than 15 days in North Macedonia citizens of Belarus and other third countries do not need a visa in the presence of a valid multiple-entry visa type "C", permanent or temporary residence permit of the Schengen countries. If you do not have such a visa or residence, visa-free entry is possible if you have an invitation / telegram, a referral or invitation from a healthcare institution for treatment, a tourist voucher (please contact us for support in this case).

Learn more about visas

Please prepare the necessary documents in advance, find out the rules for crossing the border and the list of items restricted for import into the country in order to avoid problems on the way.

The Macedonian currency is the Dinar, MKD (1 Euro = about 62 Dinars). You can make payments with a credit card almost everywhere, but we recommend to keep some cash, having previously exchanged in Skopje along the way.

We also recommend that you find out all the information about the restrictions in connection with the spread of coronavirus before the trip, based on your country of origin of the trip. We will monitor the situation and provide updates to the group.

We stand for safe and responsible ride in the mountains, especially off-piste on wild slopes. Therefore, we cooperate with guides who not only have extensive experience in working with groups, but also know the region we are going to perfectly. All riders must have their own avalanche beacons, probes and shovels while riding off-piste. The cost of the tour already includes the rental of this equipment for the duration of the freeride program. We will make training in how to use this equipment correctly and act in emergency, we will check the equipment before the ride.

Participants whose level is not sufficient cannot be allowed to ride off-piste. Minors are not allowed, as well as persons who are in a state of alcoholic and drug intoxication, have poor health or diseases that prevent participation, behave inappropriately, and by their actions make a threat to the property, health and safety of third parties.

We advise each participant to take out sports insurance for the duration of the trip, which covers the risks of winter sports, off-piste and rescue work in the mountains, and the cost of emergency medical care in case of COVID-19.

Since our freeride program will be quite intensive, there will not be much energy for additional activities. With this in mind, we have built a travel plan in such a way that we have opportunity to enjoy the powder days and at the same time make our stay interesting:
- we set aside the whole day in the middle of our tour for excursions and leisurely walks in Skopje (it will be exciting and take a break between the ride days);
- in our hotel there is a SPA for complete body relaxation after intensive training: hammam, sauna, swimming pool (included in tour price);
- in the hotel restaurant and in Skopje we try different dishes of Macedonia;
- in the evenings the hotel restaurant hosts parties and music concerts.