Skiing in Slovakia may not be something you’ve considered before, but with attractions that tick all the boxes, following a huge investment in recent years in the country’s top resort of Jasná, this should be the season you do.
Over €200 million (£150 million) has been spent in recent years on improving infrastructure, with the priority on upgrading pistes and increasing visitors’ comfort. The biggest improvement has been the addition of no less than seven new lifts, including a modern gondola and a hi-tech funitel which connects the north and south sides of the mountain. Off the slopes, mountain restaurants have been completely rebuilt, the luxurious Grand Hotel Jasná completely refurbished and new accommodation built. In short, Jasná has been completely transformed into one of the best in Europe.
Now with direct low-cost flights from London to Poprad airport only 40 minutes from the slopes four times a week (Wizz Air flights from £18.49, including taxes, fees and cabin baggage, plus there’s a generous 30kg for booked hold baggage, great for ski kit); low “Eastern European” prices across the board made a third lower still by the strong pound value against the euro; and that investment in the latest ski lifts, great accommodation and other amenities, Jasná has a lot of attractions! Added to all this, the resort will be hosting World Cup Ski Racing on 5–6 March, for the first time in three decades.
Fantastic Value Family Ski Holidays
Anyone booking a family ski holiday knows that it’s tough to balance the budget, but fortunately in Jasná everything costs less. There are always lots of deals and offers running on accommodation packages, such as 20% off bookings made 45 days in advance and a six-day lift pass costing a little more than £100 when booked as part of a package. Then the extras like eating on the slopes, where a main-course meal costs from €5.20 (£3.95) and drinks from €2 (£1.50), offer great value too.
On the slopes too, Jasná is perfect for families, with 46km of groomed pistes, plenty of child-friendly activities laid on, indoor and outdoor parks to play in and Slovakia’s largest winter arena for kids to learn in. In addition, there are 12 lift-accessed freeride zones for thrill seekers in the family to enjoy.
On top of all the ski slope fun and the many off-slope activities offered, there are no less than three aquaparks to enjoy too nearby, the Tatralandia and Gino Paradise in Liptov, and AquaCity in Poprad, in the High Tatras. They offer a combination of well-being facilities and fun and games, and you can seamlessly swap your ski pass for a day pass to the aquaparks, linked by a free shuttle bus, if you are having a day off skiing.
Choose from 5★ ski-in/ski-out hotels, chalets and nice family guesthouses to simple private rooms or rented huts. This season, nine new stylish ski-in/ski-out chalets, each containing two suites, have opened just above the Grand Hotel Jasná. Winter rates start from €139 (£105) per room per night with breakfast based on two sharing.
Jasná Info
Jasna.sk/en – visitliptov.sk – regiontatry.sk
Jasná chalets: chaletsjasna.sk/en/
World Cup: worldcupjasna.sk
Wizz Air: wizzair.com