Croatia is truly one of a kind - there’s no other country where one day you can take a dip in the bright blue sea, and the other you can hop on your skis and slide into the winter wonderland! So while a summer holiday on the Adriatic coast may be a more obvious choice, there are plenty of places worth visiting during winter. ‍‍

Discover Exciting Ski Areas Just Around the Corner‍

One of the most popular ski spots in Croatia is Platak. With almost seven kilometers of slopes, it is also among the largest ski resorts. Situated only a short car ride from Rijeka, this unique resort has everything you need for a lovely family ski trip. It has five lifts, including a double chair lift, a magic carpet, and a snowmaker, to make each of the eight slopes durable and consistent. There’s also the possibility of night skiing and ski and snowboarding school programs for kids. You’ll also find plenty of slopeside accommodation available, from hotels to mountain B&Bs. Did you know Platak is the only mountain where you can ski with the seaview?

However, you don’t have to take a road trip to ski. If you’d prefer to just casually head out on the ski slopes for a single afternoon, you can go straight from Zagreb city center! On the northern slopes of the Medvednica mountain, you’ll discover Sljeme. Besides being the favorite destination for leisure, Sljeme is also famous for hosting professional sports events and competitions, such as the FIS World Ski Cup competition, also known as the Snow Queen Trophy. With several slopes of varying difficulties (and a total slope length of about 4 kilometers), two T-bar ski lifts, a three-chairlift, and snowmaking facilities, Sljeme can take in many skiers. If you decide to spend more time in the mountains, hotel Tomislavov dom and apartments Snježna kraljica are at your disposal.

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Skiing in Pristine Nature With Breathtaking Views‍

If you take a little detour from the main road from Zagreb to Rijeka, you’ll also discover several more intimate ski resorts. For example, near the village of Mrkopalj, you’ll find Čelimbaša, a small ski area with three slopes that will entertain novice and more experienced skiers. You can also use a biathlon track for training and recreational running.

In the nearby area, there’s also the mountain center Petehovec. With abundant flora and fauna, numerous mountain trails, and sports fields, there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy all kinds of activities: hiking, running, sledding, skiing, snowboarding, and much more! The center also offers accommodation and a restaurant where you can try delicious local specialties.

At 1078 meters above sea level, the village of Begovo Razdolje is the highest inhabited place in Croatia! The ski center is located on the western slopes of the Bjelolasica mountain, and it’s perfect for beginners and children. It also offers skiing courses and ski equipment rentals.

Čelimbaša, Petehovac, and Begovo Razdolje depend mainly on natural snow, so keep in mind that the skiing season might last a bit shorter.

Don’t miss out on the beginning of the year when the ski season in Croatia is at its peak. These somewhat secluded ski spots might just become your new favorite ski destinations!

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