Snowboarding in Serbia: How Kopaonik Made Me a Winter Sports Convert

Welcome to my travel diary! Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to visit Serbia on a trip with the team from Snow-Forecast.com. Not only was this my first time in Serbia, but it was also my first time snowboarding or even stepping foot in a ski resort. From breathtaking landscapes to hidden cultural gems, my time in Serbia was a time of firsts and truly an incredible experience. For anyone who is curious about the Eastern European country, looking to try snowboarding for the first time, or is planning a trip to Kopaonik ski resort - here’s a look at my journey, a review of the resort, and a special shout-out to those who made it all possible.

First Impressions

We stopped for a night in the country's capital, Belgrade, which was just a half-hour drive from Tesla Nikola Airport, as the drive from Belgrade to Kopaonik was 4 hours long and it was late evening by the time we landed. The nightlife was subtly buzzing, and the fact that all the Christmas lights and decorations were still up (in late January?) made everything feel quite magical. We enjoyed a nice evening with good food and incredibly cheap drinks in one of the restaurants near our hotel. Before making our way to Kapaonik, Serbia’s largest ski resort, we took a tour of the city, which was full of cobbled side streets and an eclectic mix of buildings from different eras. One of the standouts for me was Храм Преображења Господњег (roughly translated to 'Temple of the Transfiguration of the Lord'), an orthodox church, which had a grandiose interior of marble columns and colourful murals. It was incredibly cold when we were there and a bit on the grey and bleak side, being the middle of winter, but I would love to go back one summer and see how the vibe changes, as the banks of the Danube and Sava rivers were lined with nice restaurant and pubs which looked like they would be an amazing place to spend a nice summers evening.

Snowboarding at Kopaonik

I’ll admit—I was both excited and nervous about snowboarding for the first time, but thanks to my incredibly lovely and endlessly patient instructor Tamara, I managed to find my balance (eventually!). It was incredibly fun and although I was suitably battered and bruised by the end from falling all the time, it was satisfying to see how much I'd improved by the end of the 3 days. Learning how to move with the board was both rewarding and challenging at times, but I can confidently say that I will be doing it again as soon as possible!

Resort Review: Kopaonik Ski Resort

• Slopes & Terrain: Kopaonik offers a variety of slopes catering to all skill levels, from gentle beginner runs to challenging black pistes. The well-maintained trails and lift system made accessing different areas of the resort very easy.
• Facilities & Accommodation: The resort has a range of hotels, lodges, and après-ski options. Whether you’re looking for a cozy mountain retreat or a more luxurious stay, there’s something for everyone.
• Snow Conditions: Thanks to a combination of natural snowfall and artificial snowmaking, Kopaonik provides consistent snow coverage throughout the season.
• Overall Atmosphere: Relaxed and full of energy at the same time! The slopes were quite busy, but the wait time for lifts was no more than 5-10 minutes when we were there.
• Hidden Features: There is a natural hot spring about a 30-minute bus journey from the resort, and despite being a bit hidden away and remote it is definitely worth a trip. There is a small entry fee, but towel robes are provided, as well as clean changing facilities and showers.

Special Thanks & Acknowledgments A huge thank you to the following for helping make our trip possible:

• Ski Passes: JP Skijalista Srbije for providing access to the slopes.
• Lessons: My amazing instructor Tamara Djuricic from Nix Ski and Snowboard School, who had the patience of a saint.

Final Thoughts Kopaonik Ski Resort was the perfect place try snowboarding for the first time, as the slopes were busy enough to create a good atmosphere but still relaxed enough to give me some leeway for mistakes. If you’re considering a ski or snowboarding trip but want to try something somewhere fresh and a bit different, Serbia is the place to try.

Gallery

Photos from Belgrade

Photos from Kopaonik Ski Resort