Destinations

Euro Trip

European Ski Season Starts Now

It’s nearly November, which means just one thing—time to get way off the grid. Preferably somewhere snowy. And mountainous. And possibly haunted by Dracula. So herewith, a list of Europe’s five most under-the-radar slopes—think of it as going off-off-piste.

COUNT DOWN

Poiana Brasov, Brasov, Transylvania

With the exception of that Bigfoot encounter in Vail, your ski runs have rarely entailed crossing paths with monsters. So head to the Transylvanian Mountains—there’s 17 runs (at least officially), 120 days of heavy snow cover and one Dracula’s Castle. Don’t worry—we hear he wilts in sunlight and deep powder.
Season: December through March

SERB’D UP

Kopaonik, near Brus, Serbia

You consider trails to be mere suggestions. So here you’ll find 27 pistes at your disposal, but you can think of them as 27 chances to veer off course. Should you feel like actually skiing within the lines, there are three certified FIS downhill runs. Or as you call them, bunny slopes.
Season: December through March

BANK SHOT

Bankso Resort, Bulgaria

While you’re not ready to abandon that ski-in cabin in Whistler, this season you want something even more secluded. Like a spot with a massive boarding park, 40 miles of deep powder slopes and piste inclinations up to 73% that’s somehow still virtually unknown. We won’t tell if you won’t.
Season: December 15 through May 15

SMALL WORLD

Ski Park Eland, Slovakia

Allow us to introduce you to the Slovakian ski scene—right now, it only offers three slopes, three lifts and one hotel at the base station, but one scenic ski lift up to the peak should tell you this place has serious potential. Feel free to stake a flag while you’re up there.
Season: January through February

REINDEER GAMES

Yllas Resort, Lappas, Finland

Back in the day, this was reputedly the residence of one Kris Kringle. While the jolly one has since moved north, he left behind husky sledding, reindeer steaks, sauna-equipped cabins, speeding frozen lake ski-doo rides and, oh yeah, deep powder off-piste action. Watch out for displaced elves.
Season: February 6 through May 11