Kopaonik, the largest mountain range in Serbia, extends from the northwest to the southeast for 80 km, and has a width of around 40 km in the middle. The highest section of Kopaonik is the spacious Ravni Kopaonik plateau around which rise Suvo Rudište and Pančićev Vrh (the highest peak at 2017 m).
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Kopaonik has a subalpine climate and and is rightfully known as the Mountain of the Sun for there are almost 200 sunny days during the year. Cold and heavy air is channelled away to the surrounding valleys and basins, meaning that winter temperatures are not too low (the mean annual temperature on Ravni Kopaonik is 3.7°C). Snow falls from the end of November and stays until May, which is on average 159 days a year.
Kopaonik gained its name from the Serbian word kopatiwhich means ‘to dig’ because of the rich ore resources which were mined here for centuries. Volcanic activity and the discharge of hot mineral solutions caused changes in the surrounding rocks, creating the rich Kopaonik mining region from which iron, lead and zinc were excavated.
Due to its valuable ecosystem, Kopaonik became a national park in 1981. Kopaonik National Park covers an area of 11,810 hectares and based on the number of endemic species, it is one of Serbia’s most important biodiversity hotspots for endemic flora. Kopaonik’s important endemic and rare species include the Kopaonik houseleek (Sempervivum kopaonikensis), the Kopaonik violet (Viola kopaonikensis), Pančićeva režuha (Cardamine pancicii), Serbian flax, Pančićev vijuk and eidelweiss. Kopaonik’s rich variety of animal species deserve special attention, of which the Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Tawny Owl, Shore Lark, Common Crossbill, Eagle-Owl, dormouse, wildcat, fallow deer, amongst others, stand out.
Kopaonik mountain is especially beautiful for its distinctive landscape of dense coniferous forests (spruce and fir) at higher elevations and mixed beech and oak forests on its slopes, pastures and meadows and prominent peaks from which views extend to the Šar Mountains and the Komovi and Stara Planina mountains.
Kopaonik lends itself to active relaxation throughout the year and is the largest and best-known Serbian ski centre. The Ravni Kopaonik plateau is centred around tourism, with a wide range of accommodation and a network of ski slopes amongst other facilities. Another tourist hotspot is located near the village of Brzeća, on the eastern slope of Kopaonik. The first class ski slopes lie between 1650 m and 2017 m above sea-level. This tourist resort has a network of 24 ski-lifts connected in one system and 2 children’s lifts, and caters for all types of skiers. The ski-lift system covers the ski slopes total 55 km in length. The system can handle 32,000 skiers an hour. Guests also have the use of a 12km-slope for Nordic skiing, and in Crvene Bare there are marked slopes of 3, 5 and 10 km in length. Ski hire and repair services are also available, as well as snowmobile hire.
Walking excursions (to the Metođa spring and Semeteško Jezero lake), mountain biking and basketball, tennis, riding and English language schools also take place on Kopaonik. A diverse range of children’s programmes, as well as slimming and fitness programmes, are offered here and there are a great many sport grounds, which are ideal for sports team training camps. The jagged landscape of Kopaonik is ideal for paragliding.
The Jošanička, Lukovska and Kuršumlijska (at the foot of Kopaonik) spas are very close to Kopaonik, while the rich thermal springs of the Vrnjačka, Mataruška and Sijarinska spas are just a little further away. Kopaonik, too, has mineral springs: the lightly radioactive Krčmar spring, which is 1700 m above sea-level, and Marine Vode (1950 m).
The historical significance of the Kopaonik region as the seat of the mediaeval Serbian state is illustrated by the remains of fortified towns (Zvečan, Koznik and Maglić) on the peaks of the central massif and the mining areas (Stari Trg and Novo Brdo), as well as the churches and monasteries (Gradac, Pavlica, Studenica, Žiča and Sopoćani), the endowments of Serbian rulers, nestled at the foot of the Kopaonik mountain range.
Source: serbia.travel
Kopaonik is the largest ski resort in Serbia with excellently prepared runs, which offers unlimited joy to all categories of skiers, from beginners to highly skilled ones. Kopaonik ski resort comprises of about 55km of runs for alpine skiing and12 km of runs for cross country (nordic) skiing. For those who enjoy skiing at night, we have prepared a lighted run “Malo Jezero” in the very centre of the resort. Apart from that, for the youngest skiers and all those who are taking their first ski steps, we have prepared a secured “ski kindergarten” area with a conveyor belt and a carousel which makes learning basic skiing skills easier.
nteractive map of ski resort
The artificial snowing system covers 97% of the resort. This system covers the following runs: Karaman A and B, Pancicev Vrh, Duboka 1 and 2, Suncana Dolina, Malo Jezero, Krst, Krcmar, Knezevske Bare, Mali Karaman, Marine Vode, Karaman and the adjoining ski roads, as well as the run in Gobelja. The artificial snowing systems make the skiing season last longer, and the skiers, both the beginners and those more experienced ones, can be sure that they will be able to enjoy the season on excellently prepared runs.
All the runs are well connected with a system of chairlifts and ski lifts, with a capacity of over 32.000 skiers per hour. The system comprises of one six-seater chairlift, with the capacity of 3,000 skiers per hour, 4 detachable high speed four-seaters ( with a total capacity of 10,000 skiers per hour), 3 fixed four-seater chairlifts with a loading conveyor belt (total capacity of about 6,200 skiers per hour, two T-bar ski lifts with a capacity of 2,400 skiers per hour and eight platter type ski lifts with a capacity of 6,500 skiers per hour, as well as three interconnecting ski lifts.
During the entire winter season, but also during the summer, apart from skiers and snowboarders, the four seater chair lift “Pancicev vrh” also takes the visitors to this ski resort who take a sightseeing tour of the mountain and take part in other numerous activities that the ski resort offers.
Apart from the runs for alpine and cross country (nordic) skiing, the ski resort Kopaonik also has a snowboard park, which hosts numerous domestic and international competitions.
Ski resort of Kopaonik 1.770 – 2.017 m (Pančić peak)
- Altitude of the Ski Resort: 1770 m
- The highest peak: 2017m (Pancic peak)
- Total length of ski runs for Alpine and Nordic skiing: 62 km
- Snowboard park featuring 450m slope
- Blue runs (easy): 21
- Red runs (medium): 9
- Black runs (difficult): 6
- Number of chairlifts and ski lifts: 24 with baby ski lift (11 chairlifts, 13 ski lifts)
- Total capacity: 32.000 skiers/hour
- Max. altitude difference: 512m
- The longest ski run: 3,50 km
- Number of ski runs in compliance with the FIS standards: 3
- Night skiing run: Small lake – 450m
- Free-ride run: Gobelja
Kopaonik is very popular among young people for its entertainment and fun. In addition to the sledging and ice-skating, families with kids can enjoy the great variety of games and activities in the snow park. For those who are making their first ski steps, the resort features secured “Ski kindergarten” area with a conveyor belt.
If you’re searching for some great nightlife to compliment your active holiday on the snow, look no further. Kopaonik has a buzzing après ski scene that is developing a reputation to match the excellent skiing. Options vary from venues which cater for the crowd who want to carry on partying late into the night – to more intimate spots which welcome those wishing to swap cozy ski stories in more chilled out surroundings with good food.
Access and distance:
- Belgrade airport–Batocina–Kragujevac-Kraljevo–Kopaonik (290km)
- Belgrade airport–Pojate–Krusevac–Brus–Kopaonik (300 km)
- Nis airport–Kopaonik (118km)
Access and distance from other major cities in the region:
- Bucharest–Vidin–Kula–Zajecar–Krusevac–Brus–Kopaonik (585km)
- Timisoara–Vrsac–Belgrade–Krusevac–Brus–Kopaonik (450km)
- Skoplje (E 75, turn Grdelica)–Prokuplje–Brus-Kopaonik (300km)
- Thessaloniki–Kopaonik (479km)
- Ljubljana-Zagreb–Belgrade–Kopaonik (817km)
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I think it’s very hard to write a review about Kopaonik. In one word, I’d describe the whole resort as unusual… The resort itself is in a national park, although, that’s kinda hart to tell due to dense development that sprung up in the past few years. This being said, the whole resort is basically cut through a forest. This creates a lot of interesting freeride possibilities. There are no death traps like in the Alps, so instead of being challenging and dangerous its actually pretty fun and safe. You won’t be buried in an avalanche, you won’t break your neck dropping from a cliff, even the chances of busting up your edges on a hidden rock are slim. The bounds are open and there are no fascist enforcers chasing after you, confiscating your ticket or ticketing you for not carrying the avalanche gear. I’ve been in a few resorts in the french and Italian alps and i didn’t like the fact that the mountains were so barren. This is great when it comes to fog, as you always see dark trees contrasting the light snow. On barren slopes in the alps you get nausea from not being able to tell where’s the ground and where’s the sky. The slopes themselves are a bit short and mellow. The classification does seem to be different from the alps, and should generally be colored down. There are only a couple of black runs, a handful of reds which are more like tougher blues, and the rest is pretty gentle. Half of the runs are not exactly border friendly, and you are bound to get stuck on flat. But on the other hand you can make such loops where its all downhill-lift-downhill-lift… The chairlifts are all modern fast 4 seaters, with the exception of a few T and J bars. To be honest, Alps offer a lot more vertical descent, much longer runs, and probably more snow, at least on the pistes. But there is another aspect of Kopaonik to consider. Compared to the Alps, this place is CHEAP! Beer is not 5 euros a glass like it is in Italy or in France. They also don’t serve 2.5dl beer like they do in Italy and France. UN should pass a resolution against 2.5dl beer glasses, it’s just not right. Polenta (cornmeal?) the poor peasants food doesn’t cost 15euros a plate like it does in Valle d’Aosta, but is quite inexpensive instead. You can get a decent steak meal with drinks for under 10euros a head. There are well equipped grocery stores no more expensive than supermarkets in the cities. I hate clubbing when im up in the mountains, but to each his own. There are lots of clubs and cafes here, and you can get properly wasted at a reasonable price. People are usually friendly and most of them speak English. I’d sum it up like this: If you are die hard rider/skier which cares only about being on the snow and you are on a budget when it comes to free days, don’t waste them on Kopaonik. If you are looking for fun after the slopes as well as on them, Kopaonik is a good place to visit. If you are in the neighborhood, then by all means give it a shot.
thanks for the information. very helpful
Very good value skiing for beginners or low intermediates. Good intermediates will be bored after a couple days. Nothing for advanced skiers. A good place to learn to ski as everything is less than half the price of any resort in the Alps. Not recommended before mid-January or after mid-March as snow can be thin and lifts shut. Most lifts are modern and pistes are generally well groomed. Lots of slope-side restaurants, but limited options for vegetarians. Center of Kopaonik can be noisy through the night, so light sleepers should look for accommodation on the edges of Kopaonik, or up the sides of the slopes (ski-in-ski-out options possible). Kopaonik is about 3-3.5 hours drive from Belgrade, with the last 1.5hours on small twisty roads. Read Less
Why Freemeteo when I looked for weather at this mountain put it in Kosovo instead Serbia
Cause they are idiots!
Dear Sirs, we would like to stay at your beautiful hotel for the New 2020 Year. we need 3 rooms for 5 people. The most appropriate dates for us 30.12.2019 – 03.01.2020. The period from the beginning of December till the end of February for 4 nights is appropriate. Please advise when we can stay at your Hotel.
With warmest regards,
Tatiana
any information needed, please write to info@mkresort.com
Bela reka radi li ova godina?
Please track the slopes. They are really bad now