Where to go skiing?
- Sport , Active recreation
- December 26, 2023
An overview of larger and smaller ski resorts in the nearby and further vicinity of the Chata nad Valchou in Zázrivá.
The Chata nad Valchou provides an ideal starting point into the world of white slopes - while not directly on a ski slope, it is in proximity to well-known ski resorts. These resorts offer favorable conditions for beginners to experienced skiers and snowboarders, with a great variety of terrains and excellent conditions for everyone.
During your stay at our Chata nad Valchou in Zázrivá, we recommend visiting the following ski resorts.
VRÁTNA Malá Fatra (16,7 km - 20 min)
The National Park Malá Fatra features three base locations that together create a unified resort: Paseky, Poludňový Grúň, and Chleb. During the winter months, they offer comfort and experience for everyone. The resort officially boasts 12.5 km of slopes suitable for beginners, recreational skiers, snowboarders, active athletes, extreme sports enthusiasts, and families with children.
At Paseky, families with children will appreciate the Kid´s zone, where kids can learn the basics of skiing and have a great time. Four ski schools ensure a diverse program for children. A quad chairlift from Paseky takes you to Poludňový Grúň, a place for demanding skiers, snowboarders, ski mountaineers, and other winter sports enthusiasts. At Chata na Grúni, you can relax with refreshments, a sun terrace, and loungers where you can soak up the sun and positive energy on clear days.
Paseky and Poludňový Grúň offer slopes for everyone. Available are blue, red, and black slopes, most of which are artificially snowed, ensuring the season lasts more than 100 days annually, regardless of weather fluctuations. A quad chairlift, 10 ski lifts, and a children’s park serve together 10 slopes ranging from beginner to the 1550m long Paseky slope, which, thanks to its varied profile, is among the most popular slopes in Slovakia.
Vrátna Malá Fatra, especially the Chleb area, is the right place for adrenaline riders. It’s ideal for freeriding, ski mountaineering, winter hiking, snowboarding, and skiing. Chleb features the steepest slope in Slovakia! Freeride zones in this part of the resort are widely known, and with enough natural snow, you can ski the longest black slope in Slovakia, overcoming a 750m elevation difference over 2000m. In Oštiepková Mulda, you’ll find the steepest groomed slope in the area, with the steepest parts exceeding a 50% slope gradient. On sunny days, you’ll surely experience the beauty of skiing, the mountains, and see all the beauties of Vrátna valley as if on the palm of your hand.
One of the main advantages of the Vrátna Malá Fatra resort is free parking at three main catchment parking lots. The resort naturally includes ski equipment rentals and service shops, as well as refreshments directly on the slopes.
KUBÍNSKA HOĽA (22,5 km - 26 min)
Webové, Resort map, Google map
SKI PARK Kubínska hoľa is an entertainment destination for the whole family! From free-ride zones to racing tracks and a children’s nursery, the Kubínska hoľa ski resort offers excellent conditions for everyone. A significant advantage of Kubínska hoľa is the southern side of the slopes and the very location on Oravská Magura, which provides a magnificent view of the entire Orava, the Low and Western Tatras, the opposite Choč Mountains, and the Small and Great Fatra. All this, along with a 3 km long slope, makes our resort an ideal place for an unforgettable skiing experience, whether for individuals or families with children.
SKI PARK Kubínska hoľa is located in the beautiful nature of the Oravská Magura mountains and is one of the most visited winter sports resorts in Slovakia. It extends from 720 m to 1,396 m above sea level, and its total elevation is 676 meters. Skiing enthusiasts will find a modern ski resort with a wide range of ski trails and transport facilities with a total capacity of 9,000 passengers per hour. You can comfortably ride the cable car up to 1,396 meters above sea level and enjoy the view of the beautiful scenery of the Western Tatras and Choč Mountains. The slopes at the SKI PARK Kubínska hoľa are homologated with a FIS certificate. In terms of ski resort categorization, the resort was awarded a quality mark and classified as a 5-star ski resort. There are 1,500 FREE parking spaces available for parking.
There are 13 km of daily groomed trails, which are snowed with artificial snow if necessary, produced by technology supplied by Johnson Controls. Adrenaline discipline lovers will definitely enjoy the free-ride zone and the snow park with plenty of jumps and obstacles, which is equipped with its own lift. For fans of cross-country skiing, there are 10 km of trails prepared.
During the winter season, Kubínska hoľa offers winter sports enthusiasts excellent groomed downhill tracks and another service without which good skiing cannot be: rental and service of ski equipment. Mainly for beginners, there is an excellent ski school, whose instructors are professionals with certificates in their category and speak at least one foreign language (English, Hungarian, German, Russian, or Polish). After a good day of skiing, you will definitely be hungry. There are several buffets in the resort and on the slopes where you can refresh yourself or sit on a sunlit terrace.
In the resort, you have access to the rental of quality skis and snowboards along with service. There is also a ski school offering group and individual lessons.
MALINÔ BRDO - Ski & Bike Park Ružomberok (36,3 km - 40 min)
Enjoy winter sports at Malinô Brdo, just 5 minutes from the center of Ružomberok. Ski on 12 km of well-groomed slopes. Utilize an 8-person gondola and a 4-seat chairlift, 2 ski lifts, and 4 lifts for beginners and children. Enjoy winter experiences on the snow and try cross-country skiing or hike on ski mountaineering skis for the most beautiful views. Malinô Brdo has everything for the perfect winter holiday, including slope-side accommodation. With free parking, a ski school, ski rental, and service available, you can enjoy winter fun worry-free.
The entrance to the resort is Hrabovo (567 m above sea level), from where a system of two cable cars operates to Malinô Brdo (1209 m above sea level). The first section is served by an 8-person gondola lift that is 1770 m long. The second section is served by a 4-seat chairlift that is 1130 m long, with two lifts as an alternative. The upper part of the resort offers wide red-black slopes. In the transfer area between the cable cars, there are 4 short lifts with slopes for beginners and a snowpark. In the lower part, there is a blue-red slope through the forest.
The resort features a ski & snowboard school, rental, service, and storage. Multiday ski passes purchased in Ružomberok – Malinô Brdo are also valid in PARK SNOW Donovaly. The après-ski bar is located near the Dária cottage.
WINTER PARK MARTINKY (54 km - 60 min)
Martinky, as the name suggests, are located near Martin in the beautiful surroundings of the Malá Fatra on Martinské hole. It’s a resort that breathes an authentic winter atmosphere and history. The first mention of skiing and hiking activities in Martinky dates back to 1921. The ski resort is situated at an altitude of 1,150 to 1,456 meters above sea level. The summit offers a unique view of the Turčianska basin and surrounding mountain ranges.
The best skiing is always associated with a proper dose of natural snowfall. In Martinky, you can enjoy it even when lower-lying resorts are empty. The snow in this area always reminds of a winter fairy tale. Despite the abundance of snow, the resort in Martinky also has an artificial snow-making infrastructure. Thanks to the mix of natural and technical snow, it ensures a season that lasts up to 125 snow-covered days a year. This guarantees that you’ll have plenty of skiing opportunities in our resort.
There are 13.3 km of slopes on Martinské hole, totaling twelve of various difficulties. The slopes are predominantly medium difficulty (red) and easy (blue). Long and endless waiting in lines is something you can forget about here. The resort has six different transport facilities, including one six-seat chairlift. Are you a fan of adrenaline? Excellent. You’ll also experience a great ride in our superb Snowboard & Free Style Arena.
Transportation of skiers is provided by 5 lifts and a 6-seat cable car, from whose summit station, on sunny days, you can enjoy a fairy-tale view of the Turčianska basin and surrounding Slovak mountains. The slopes are groomed daily.
The resort provides the following services: buffet, restaurant, après ski bar, accommodation in cottages and a hotel, ski service, ski school, rental, storage, restrooms, free parking, and a snowboard park.
SKI CENTRUM KOZINEC, Zázrivá (9,6 km - 13 min)
The ski area Ski Centrum Kozinec – Zázrivá is located in the Havrania settlement, 3 km from the center of the village of Zázrivá, on the northern slope of Kozinec (996 m above sea level). The base station is located at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level, and the highest point of the resort is at 995 meters above sea level, so the total elevation difference is 345 meters.
The area mainly relies on natural snow (only the slope finish is equipped with technical snowmaking). Transportation is provided by 2 ski lifts with lengths of 800 and 350 m (a third lift shown on the map is under construction). The slopes in the resort are of difficult, medium difficulty, and easy levels, totaling 5 km in length. The black slope here is among the top ten steepest ski slopes in Slovakia. The resort provides a storage facility and a buffet for skiers.
The suitable combination of terrain difficulties allows the resort to be utilized by both beginner and experienced skiers. Parents with children can use a children’s lift or ski kindergarten, located within the resort.
For snowboarding enthusiasts, the Ski Center Zázrivá – Kozinec resort has prepared 500 meters of groomed trails and a snowboard park with various features to enjoy.
SKI GAVURKY, Terchová (12,3 km - 16 min)
Located in the center of Terchová, this resort is known as being friendly to children and families. The slope has an excellent incline, allowing enjoyable skiing for all levels of skiers. The slope is situated on the sunny side, so during the day, you can watch the progress of your little ones and enjoy the winter sun.
The area has two Poma type lifts, and the total length of the slope is 350 meters. If natural snow is scarce, the resort can produce its own with snow cannons. The slope is groomed daily with a snowcat.
Right next to the lifts is a toboggan run where you can have endless fun. To warm up cold noses and grab a snack, there’s a buffet directly on the slope.
For those who need a little help or haven’t tried skiing at all, there’s a professional team of instructors available to help overcome fear and show how easy and fun it is to glide on skis in the snow.