Skiing
I would like to share my impressions with those who are going to Serbia to the Kopaonik ski resort.
Firstly, this particular hotel is located on the road (the highway between the town of Raska and the center of Kopaonik directly). The road is actively used by both drivers of passenger cars, including taxis, and more serious vehicles (from minibuses to construction trucks, including snowplows). So if you book a double room, you will hear and see exactly that. Yes, yes, late in the evening and at night everything goes there too! And if you settle in a triple room, which can also serve as a quadruple, then your windows will be on the forest, the mountain and the quiet river! Secondly, the food in this hotel is wonderful! Breakfast may seem a little the same, but dinner is varied! Thirdly, the hotel is very warm and there is always hot water! The service is not ah, but we attributed it to the fact that none of the staff speaks Russian, and a couple of people barely speak English. Fourthly, the nearest ski lift is really no more than 200 m and a step (and skiing is a pity on the road), then an old armchair that will reach the very top.
Separately, about the tracks. In total there are 21 of them on 3 mountains, conveniently connected. The trails are interesting, picturesque and short. The smallest is 600 m, the largest is 2 km. Natural snow and sun was enough! But the snowcats and guns were not connected enough, where and when it was required! There are a lot of people, queues on the lifts. It turned out that the best time for skiing is from 9 am to 10 am, when not everything is ice, and not everywhere is a crowd. There are also a lot of people in the cafe, but still the warmth of the hearth, unbiting prices and ordinary rest were worth it to make some room or wait.
Kopaonik himself is somewhat rustic. Only Serbs (some Russians) rest there, for whom this is the only winter resort. Or maybe summer because of the lack of sea in the country... This explains a lot. On the one hand, there will be an opportunity to get acquainted with the South Slavic national culture, and on the other hand, the absence of elementary international standards. Such, for example, as the menu in English. Or some kind of spa. There is a swimming pool, with a jacuzzi, but only for guests of the Club A hotel, etc. Excursions are also not tempting. Something old advertising hangs in the mail. Without contacts and prices. Our guide (representative of the Orange travel agency, tour operator R-tours) Krsto did not appear at all, although we were going to go to the palaces, which we were told about back in Moscow, and leave the mountains a day earlier to visit Belgrade. However, they even took care of their timely departure themselves.
The return flight was regular (specially so that if you suddenly had to change the date) on Serbian Airlines. When you don’t like the flight, we say that thank God it is regular and safe! This is just the case! Thus, try to take the tickets yourself so that neither the company nor the departure time is imposed on you. Taxi back and forth is 500 euros, and a group transfer is about 150 per person. The travel agency will make a recalculation for you, just insist!
And of all the hotels we personally liked the same "Club A" and "Heavenly Capital", which for some reason was not offered. There are still many wonderful private houses in the forest in different styles, but we did not see offers anywhere.
We wish you all good weather, cool skiing and excellent health!