Skiing in Croatia may not be the first idea you come up with when thinking about skiing holidays in Europe. And that’s totally understandable…and we wouldn’t expect you to visit Croatia for a week-long skiing holiday if truth be told!
However, there are a number of ski runs and facilities in a few locations around the country where you can have a fun day out on the slopes…or where perhaps you can stay for a long weekend break. We’d suggest you might like to try skiing in Croatia as part of a longer visit to the country, rather than it be your sole reason for visiting!
On this page, we’ll take a look at some of the ski resorts in Croatia for you to enjoy.
Skiing in Croatia – Sljeme, Zagreb
The Sljeme peak on Mount Medvednica, just above Croatia’s capital city Zagreb, is perhaps the most well-known ski resort in the country. This resort is home to the famous FIS World Cup Snow Queen Trophy men’s and women’s slalom races that take place in early January every year.
But once that’s taken place and the competitors have moved on, Sljeme is open to the public (normally in early to mid-January) for recreational skiing for the rest of the season! What’s great about Sljeme is that you can obviously stay in the city of Zagreb, and make your way (by public transport, or by taxi) up the mountain each day. You can therefore combine a city break with some ski time.
The ski resort on Sljeme is at 1,030m at its highest point, falling to 730m at its lowest. The resort has 5 runs, 2 blue, 2 red and 1 black (the latter is the run used for the FIS World Cup race) and 3 lifts. In 2022, the Snowpark Sljeme – a snowpark with assorted jumps, rails and boxes for experienced skiers and snowboarders only – also opened. Do be aware that although artificial snow is also used on the mountain if necessary, the ski resort does have to close sometimes due to lack of snow. Follow Ski Resort Sljeme on Facebook for all the latest announcements in this regard.
For an extra thrill, night skiing takes place on Sljeme too. Skiing is possible on the well-lit runs until 10pm. (This is a different session to the day session.)
Normally, day, multi-day and seasonal passes are available. In 2023, a one-day weekday pass costs €9.29 for adults and €5.31 for children; on the weekend, a one-day pass is €13.27 for adults and €6.64 for children.
If you’re heading to Sljeme, we would suggest going during the week as the weekends can sometimes get busy with locals trying their skills on the slopes.
It is possible to rent ski and snowboard equipment here, and you can also get lessons for adults and children if need be. There are also several eateries at the top of the mountain, including the Snjezna Kraljica (Snow Queen) Restaurant and Stara Lugarnica. If you want to make more of your visit to Sljeme, there is even accommodation up on the mountain such as the 3-star Hotel Tomislavov Dom.
Reaching Sljeme from Zagreb
It is now possible to get the Zagreb Cable Car up to Sljeme. The lower station of the cable car is located at Gracansko dolje to where tram number 15 goes, or bus lines 140, 227 and 223.
Alternatively, take a tram to Mihaljevac in north Zagreb (for example, tram line 14 goes from Trg Ban Jelacic to here; number 33 goes from the main bus station). Then from Mihaljevac, you can take bus line 140 to Sljeme – timetable for bus line 140. This bus stops in front of Hotel Tomislavov Dom.
- More information on skiing on Sljeme can be found on the Sljeme.hr website
Skiing Platak, near Rijeka
Platak ski resort, about 30km northeast of the coastal city of Rijeka, offers skiing with a view – a sea view! (It is only about 10km from the sea as the crow flies.) Its highest peak is Radesevo, which is 1,363m above sea level, and there are eight runs – 5 red and 3 blue. The most famous is Radesevo 1 to where the main ski lift takes you (there are also a number of button lifts here); this slope is also open for night skiing (see below).
This ski resort is suitable for both skiers and snowboarders needing their winter fix, although it’s also great to come here as a family with little ones to simply have some fun in the snow.
Half-day and day passes are available at Platak, as well as weekend and week passes. A day ticket costs €18 on a weekday for adults (€12 for children aged up to 16 years old) or €22 on the weekend (€13 for children).
Ski and snowboard hire is available at the resort, and you can also take part in lessons – for example, with Rijeka-based SkiGuru.
X Bar Platak on the slopes is a popular place for refreshments, whilst Veliki Dom Platak in the local region serves tasty, traditional dishes that will be just the thing after a hard day on the slopes. Veliki Dom Platak also offers accommodation.
- More information can be found on the Platak Ski Resort website
Other locations for skiing in Croatia
Other locations for skiing in Croatia include Petehovac (50km east of Rijeka) and Mukinje, close to the Plitvice Lakes.
Bjelolasica was the largest resort in Croatia (and home to the Croatian Olympic Centre) but unfortunately has fallen on hard times. It may yet emerge as a ski centre once more in future.
Skiing near Croatia
If you’re after more skiing options in this part of the world, we would recommend hopping over the border into Slovenia and checking out the skiing there! Slovenia is home to a number of excellent ski resorts, not least the famous Kranjska Gora resort.