Slovakia Ski Resorts
| Vertical Drop: |
600m |
| Top Elevation: |
1,915m |
| Lifts: |
5 |
| Total Runs: |
4,500m |
| Longest Run: |
2 km |
| Cross Country: |
Yes |
|
Alpine surroundings, fresh air and no pollution inspired the then inhabitants of the village to establish a resort, similar to those existing in Alps. Ski centre Strbske pleso situated on 1376 - 1816 m over sea level is one of the most important international ski resorts. It lies on the south side of Krivan Mountain by the lake Strbske Pleso at the beginning of Mlynicka valley. The downhill runs are spread on the slopes of Solisko.
Strbske Pleso was primarily founded as a hiking centre and later new curative houses, recreation facilities and a top sport complex were built. It is excellently connected with transportation links, and serves as a good starting point for a host of hiking excursions and day-trips in the mountains. From the town stretch trails leading to the peaks of Rysy (2,499 metres above sea level), Krivan (2,494 metres) and Koprovsky stit (2,367 metres).
Since it hosted the World Championship in 1970, a range of competitive European and world-class skiing events have been held here, including
ski-jumping and
cross-country events. Every year a competition in the FIS World Cup Nordic combined is organised. Right next to the area for ski-jumps, is a very wide ski slope called Interski. The level of difficulty is considered medium. Activity that you can practise there is the cross-country skiing on several tracks from a couple of kilometres up to 10, made for both classic and
skating. Also ski-jumping on two hills, 70 and 90 meters, are available and, of course, skiing. There are
2 chair-lifts and
2 button-lifts.
For those who want to see a mountain top without hiking, there are
3 cable cars and many ski lifts which will take the visitors to a summit. One popular cable car route takes tourists to Lomnicki, the second-highest mountain.
Restaurants are scattered everywhere. Visitors can enjoy the country's traditional dishes "
halusky" small dumplings with sheep cheese, or "
kapustnica" a sauerkraut soup. To get to know the real "old world", it is enough to visit one of the eight restaurants called "Zbojnicka chata" (literally: thieves' hut) where Slovak food is served by waiters dressed in colourful traditional clothing.
Hotels, small pensions, huts and camps now offer
accommodation for tourists ranging from the backpacker to the luxury-seeker. Some huts are nestled high in the Tatras, where 25 peaks are taller than 2,500 metres. It takes another hour of hiking from the mountain top destination to get to the highest hotel, Sliezsky Dom, open year-round in a original location which prides itself on a mountain lake and waterfalls.
