You would like to stay active in winter but you don’t ski? We have an activity for you. Have you ever tried snowshoeing? Before trying it, please read our description. Be careful, it is easy to fall in love with walking on deep snow! 🙂

In the past, snowshoes were essential tools for fur traders, hunters and other people whose life or living depended on the ability to get around in areas of deep and frequent snowfall. Old style, wooden snowshoes had a shape as tennis rackets and it is possible to see them in many restaurants and ski rentals today as a wall decoration. Modern snowshoes are made of lightweight metal, plastic and synthetic fabric. Snowshoeing is getting more and more popular within people who like going outdoors, by hikers and runners who like to continue their hobby in wintertime. As a blend of recreation and nature, it is also attractive for tourist who would like to escape from the crowds of the ski resorts, to experience the silence of nature and to enjoy an amazing views and landscapes at their own pace.

Snowshoes work by distributing the weight of the person over a larger area so that the person’s foot does not sink completely into the snow. Snowshoeing is a form of hiking and in appropriate conditions is a relatively safe and inexpensive recreational activity. There are no special skills required for this activity and it is really easy to learn. The only preconditions are good health condition and adequate winter cloth for being out in the nature. As a great winter workout, while snowshoeing you can burn more than 400 calories for an hour. It is a bit more demanding than walking, which is why it does not require any particular physical preparation or training.

Kopaonik mountain is perfect for snowshoeing. Ski resort it is located at around 1.700 m from the sea level. Wide plateau of Ravni Kopaonik offers many possibilities to go snowshoeing usually between December and April, when level of snow is big enough. It varies from season to season and from month to month and as an unpredictable factor, it is always good to check the level of snow and weather conditions during making your plans. Minimum required level of snow is 15 cm, and when is above knees level, real enjoyment is guaranteed.

This activity is considered as eco-friendly and supports sustainable tourism development in destinations of massive tourism such as ski resorts. Get familiar with footsteps of wild animal living in the National Park and follow marked paths with info tables about autochthon species of plants, mushrooms and animals. You will be able to breathe fresh air and listen to mountain silence. If you go yourself, please bear in mind that snowshoeing is not allowed at the ski slopes area and other terrains of downhill skiers and please carefully read Important notes section of this web page before you decide to go snowshoeing.

Snowshoeing equipment is possible to rent in ski rentals at Kopaonik and this is the only place in Serbia where you can find it. Rental stuff will help you to adequately take on and take off snowshoes to ensure your safety and enjoyment. Beside snowshoes, snowshoers often use trekking or ski poles as an accessory to help them keep their balance on the snow. You will also get snowshoeing manual in English and info letter with few recommendations where to go. If you would like to go for an organized snowshoeing tour with a Mountain Guide, don’t hesitate to contact us for detailed information.

There are still no officially marked snowshoeing trails in Serbia, but our team of mountain guides was creative enough to make and present snowshoeing trails to tourists who are staying at the Kopaonik ski resort. Snowshoeing tours usually lasts from 2 to 3 hours, depending on chosen route, length of breaks and pace of the group. There is always time for playing, taking photos on viewpoints and other places that are convenient for rest. Our routes are designed to take you away from the ski stations into the unspoilt winter landscape with the safety that guiding by a Mountain Guide brings. We do provide snowshoeing equipment and instruction in using it. Places we usually go are following localities: Mushroom Trail – From hotel Rtanj to Gobelja peak, Markov kamen – circular trail, Treska Peak, night ascent to the Pancic Peak, Metodje, Samokovska river, Jelovarnik waterfall. Our guides will take care of appropriate selection of equipment and choose a track suitable to participants’ abilities. Tours are supported by Mountain Rescue Service of Serbia.

Experience silent, snowy landscapes, beautiful winter scenery and absolute peace. Take your family making the break between skiing days and join us at the favorite winter activity at the Kopaonik Mountain!