Dusan Bosnjak from Serbia writes:
I think it's very hard to write a review about Kopaonik. In one word, I'd describe the whole resort as unusual...
The resort itself is in a national park, although, that's kinda hart to tell due to dense development that sprung up in the past few years. This being said, the whole resort is basically cut through a forest. This creates a lot of interesting freeride possibilities. There are no death traps like in the Alps, so instead of being challenging and dangerous its actually pretty fun and safe. You won't be buried in an avalanche, you won't break your neck dropping from a cliff, even the chances of busting up your edges on a hidden rock are slim. The bounds are open and there are no fascist enforcers chasing after you, confiscating your ticket or ticketing you for not carrying the avalanche gear. I've been in a few resorts in the french and Italian alps and i didn't like the fact that the mountains were so barren. This is great when it comes to fog, as you always see dark trees contrasting the light snow. On barren slopes in the alps you get nausea from not being able to tell where's the ground and where's the sky.
The slopes themselves are a bit short and mellow. The classification does seem to be different from the alps, and should generally be colored down. There are only a couple of black runs, a handful of reds which are more like tougher blues, and the rest is pretty gentle. Half of the runs are not exactly border friendly, and you are bound to get stuck on flat. But on the other hand you can make such loops where its all downhill-lift-downhill-lift...
The chairlifts are all modern fast 4 seaters, with the exception of a few T and J bars.
To be honest, Alps offer a lot more vertical descent, much longer runs, and probably more snow, at least on the pistes. But there is another aspect of Kopaonik to consider.
Compared to the Alps, this place is CHEAP! Beer is not 5 euros a glass like it is in Italy or in France. They also don't serve 2.5dl beer like they do in Italy and France. UN should pass a resolution against 2.5dl beer glasses, it's just not right. Polenta (cornmeal?) the poor peasants food doesn't cost 15euros a plate like it does in Valle d'Aosta, but is quite inexpensive instead. You can get a decent steak meal with drinks for under 10euros a head. There are well equipped grocery stores no more expensive than supermarkets in the cities.
I hate clubbing when im up in the mountains, but to each his own. There are lots of clubs and cafes here, and you can get properly wasted at a reasonable price. People are usually friendly and most of them speak English.
I'd sum it up like this:
If you are die hard rider/skier which cares only about being on the snow and you are on a budget when it comes to free days, don't waste them on Kopaonik. If you are looking for fun after the slopes as well as on them, Kopaonik is a good place to visit. If you are in the neighborhood, then by all means give it a shot.
2011-01-03 |
