Trips

Vienna to Zuberec

Please ensure you arrive at Vienna International Airport by 1pm on day 1 to meet the rest of your group. for your transfer into the Tatra Mountains, (approximately 4.5 hours) your base for a week of winter activities. Situated on the western edge of the High Tatra, Zuberec was originally an agricultural settlement. Today the village lies at the centre of three downhill skiing areas and has developed to offer a range of facilities for tourists in the winter and summer months.

Zuberec - Skiing / Snowboarding

After breakfast, head into the mountains for a day’s skiing or snowboarding. Downhill skiing has long been the most popular form of skiing; in fact it was first taken up as a leisure activity by the British in Victorian times. However in recent years snowboarding has become the fastest growing winter sport. Both of these activities require different equipment so your first stop will be to get kitted out with the correct boots and then either skis or a board. As well as experienced ski technicians, your leader will be on hand to make sure everything fits properly and to show you how it all works. Then it’s off to the slopes. The village offers tracks (pistes) for all categories of skiers or snowboarders. Shorter slopes of 400m and 860m are for beginners. On the other hand a longer slope of 1490m is for more competent skiers. The main ski area is situated in the Pod Salatinmi Valley, 1090m above sea level. Here you’ll find a self-service restaurant and artificial snow-making machines to ensure good skiing. If you’re a beginner, you can join a three hour lesson, aimed at your level of ability/experience (additional charge), while proficient skiers are free to ski! For the remainder of the day you’re free to practice your new skills or explore the area before returning to your pension.

Zuberec - Skiing / snowboarding

Keeping your skis overnight, return back to the slopes for another morning of adventuring. Beginners will be amazed at how quickly they can develop their balance and technique, whilst for more experienced skiers and boarders there’s the chance to try more demanding pistes. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to nearby Oravice and it's thermal pools. Such pools are found in many parts of Slovakia and are popular for their restorative properties. As well as offering general health benefits, the waters of Oravice are reputed to have beneficial cosmetic properties - but they also make a great place to relax weary ski-legs.

Zuberec - Dog Sledding

After a good breakfast to set you up for the day, you’ll leave the pension to meet up with a team of sled-dog handlers and their husky dogs. The dogs come from the Lower Tatra to meet you, and you’ll get to know them in the fields around the village. Upon arrival the handlers will show you how to handle the sled and brief you before setting off. The dogs always get really excited as soon as they see the sleds coming out and it’s often a struggle to hold them back, such is their enthusiasm. Each sled carries two people - a driver (or musher) and a passenger - pulled by a team of 2-6 huskies. It takes a while to get everything ready but eventually you’ll set off in crocodile file, with the dogs tugging hard at their harnesses before they break into a smooth rhythm. Don’t forget the magic words which the dogs listen to for their direction: ‘Ho’ and ‘Dzi’. While you’re waiting your turn, there’ll be hot drinks and your leader and dog handlers will make a warming fire (if possible). For the adults, there’s also likely to be the offer to try some of the traditional home-made Slovakian spirit called Slivovica, which will definitely warm you up! It depends on the group, how long the activity lasts, so it should be an enjoyable activity for all!

Zuberec - Sledding

After breakfast, enjoy a free morning to re-energize. At lunchtime, you will join up with your leader for lunch with a local family. The main dish will be a specially prepared Halusky. This is a traditional mountain dish of hot potato dumplings served with melted cheese and sprinkled with bacon. Over lunch you’ll discover more about Slovakian life and see how families live today. After lunch, head to the slopes around the village for a sledding excursion. This is great fun for adults and children as you whizz downhill on small plastic sleds. Later this afternoon, you will visit Orava Village - a local open-air museum where you will enjoy an evening performance to learn about local life.

Zuberec - Snowshoeing

Today you will head to the Rohace forest for a day's snowshoeing. Your leader will give a quick lesson on how to put on your snowshoes and how to use them with a pair of poles to move around. It really isn’t difficult at all and, although you might feel a little ungainly at first, you’ll soon discover that you can climb even a fairly steep slope with ease. With snowshoes you can go almost anywhere - which means you can get to places that skiers cannot. You may set off along a prepared forest trail but if a glorious view or interesting diversion presents itself you have the freedom to get off the beaten track –literally! The group’s ability will dictate how far you go but it may be possible to climb to one of the highest peaks in the Western Tatra, Brestova, at a height of 1902 metres. As you're likely to be away from the main skiing areas you will take a packed lunch with you today.

Zuberec - Free Day

Today is free for you to choose from the many activities on offer in and around the village. You may wish to head back to the slopes for more downhill skiing or snow boarding (in which case you’ll need to purchase a lift pass). You may decide to try cross-country skiing, along one of the specially prepared circuits on the edge of the village. Alternatively why not strap on some snowshoes and walk amongst the snow covered forests, or even have a go at sledging. Your leader will of course be on hand for advice, should you decide to explore further afield and to help arrange a celebration meal on everyone’s last night together in Slovakia.

Zuberec - Departure day

The trip ends after breakfast., For those who have booked a transfer we will return you to Vienna.