Join us cat skiing in Macedonia!

We can offer something really cool next winter in cooperation with Cloud9 Travel: cat skiing in Macedonia. It will be ON from February the 6th until February the 11th 2019! With peaks of up to 2747 meters, you can ride great terrain in the Shar Mountains in Macedonia. Here you will find the largest high alpine meadows in Europe. Add a snowcat and a lot of adventure in a pristine country and the result will be a big trip!

Catskiing in Northern Macedonia is actually one big adventure. It is a mix between the Mediterranean and the Middle East with a distinctive home kitchen. The capital Skopje has a vibrant nightlife that will certainly be explored on the last night of the trip. In terms of program we have a six-day trip in store for you, of which you spent four in the cat and on the mountain. You can always stay longer in Macedonia or book some extra days cat skiing.

What exactly is cat skiing?

No lifts, no groomers. The converted snow cat (or Pistenbully) is your means of transport. You sit dry and warm in the back while the cat takes you to the next run. You ride down in great terrain and the cat is waiting for you at the end of the run. Eskimo Freeride in Macedonia exists since 2007 and is the first cat ski operator in Europe. The cat brings you up between 7 and 15 times (depending on conditions etc) a day and you have unlimited verticals at your disposal!

What does a day of cat skiing look like?

• 07.30 - 08.30 Extensive breakfast and preparation for the day cat skiing!
• 09.00 - 13.00 Cat skiing
• 13.00 Lunchtime! Somewhere in the mountains, lunch is served in a beautiful location.
• 13.00 – 16.30 Cat skiing
• 16.30 – 19.00 You'll be back at the hotel between 16.00 and 17.00. There is time for drinks, massages, sleeping, showering, relaxing in the hot tub and sauna.
• 19:00 Dinner in the hotel or in one of the local restaurants in Popova Šapka

Program of the trip

• Wed the 6th of February: Flying from your hometown to Skopje ((Wizzair for example flys from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom) 18.15: Transport to Popova Šapka. Arrival between 19.30 and 20.30. A short safety briefing will be given by one of the guides in the evening.
• Thu 7th - Fri 8th - Sa 9th February: Three full days of cat skiing. Enjoy the backcountry of Macedonia. There's also a possibility to go night skiing with an overnight stay in the mountains.
• Sun 10th of February: Fourth day cat skiing. Transport to downtown Skopje. Here you can dine, explore the city and enjoy the night life with one of the guides. You'll spend the night at the Alexandar Square Boutique Hotel.
• Mon 11th of February: Transport to the airport. Return flight from Skopje to your hometown.

Where do you stay?

You will stay at Hotel Arena Teteks, the center of Eskimo Freeride and all activities. A basic place in Balkan style, but with amazingly tasty local cuisine. The cat is parked next to the door, so you can start a new adventure the next day. The hotel is located in the village of Popova Šapka (at an elevation of 1687 meters), close to the awesome terrain. It is only about 70 kilometers from the capital Skopje. There is a restaurant, a well-stocked bar with drinks that aren't expensive and a lounge to relax in the evening. Uou can also enjoy a well-deserved sauna and hot tub after an intensive day on the mountain.

What kind of terrain can you expect?

The terrain of the Shar Mountains mainly contains vast plains, but there are also tree runs and steep couloirs with cliffs. With an average snowfall of five meters per year, the snow conditions are often comparable to favorable areas in the Alps, but of course without the crowds.

What does it cost?

The costs for the 6-day trip including 4 days of catskiing are € 1240 per person based on a double room. You are with one group per snowcat and the group consists of up to 15 skiers / snowboarders. It is also possible to book a longer trip. We have reserved one snowcat exclusively for the wePowder catskitrip. You only share this snowcat with the wePowder group during the four days we're cat skiing and boarding.

What's included?

• Catskiing: 7-15 runs per day with unlimited verticals. That's about 4000 meters vertical per day on average!
• Accommodation: Four overnight stays in Popova Šapka including the use of the hotel facilities such as sauna, hot tub, etc. One night in downtown Skopje (the day before departure) in a comfortable hotel including dinner, guided evening tour and breakfast.
• Food and drinks: All meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are included. Drinks are not included.
• Transport: All transport is inclusive. From the airport to Popova Šapka, from Popova Šapka to the center of Skopje and from the center of Skopje to the airport.
• Qualified guides, safety training and equipment: All guides are certified according to the requirements of HeliCat Canada, the world's largest association for freeride operators. You will get instructions about the safety gear, such as an airbag, beeper, shovel and probe.

Contact and more information

Do you want to join this adventurous trip? Please contact Paul de Groot (paul@cloud9travel.nl) or tel: +31 6 278 368 57) or Philippe Mullens (philippe@cloud9travel.nl or tel: +31 6 141 886 95) from Cloud9 Travel. They can tell you everything about Eskimo Freeride and about this week! Of course you can also leave your questions in the comments below. Also, do not hesitate to contact us (for example via a PM) if you want more information!

Please note: Macedonia has a different culture than we are used to in Western Europe. It's unpolished and sometimes loosely in organization and communication. This trip is meant for everyone who is adventurous and is interested in getting to know the Balkans better during an unforgettable cat ski trip.