Pelister Ski Resort

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Freeride skiing in the Pelister backcountry
Freeride skiing in the Pelister backcountry
Ski Centar Kopanki, Pelister North Macedonia
Ski Centar Kopanki, Pelister North Macedonia
Views across the lakes to Greece from the top of Pelister, well above the ski lift!
Views across the lakes to Greece from the top of Pelister, well above the ski lift!
Some of the local sights in Bitola, the closest city to Pelister
Some of the local sights in Bitola, the closest city to Pelister
Ski Centar Kopanki - Pelister North Macedonia
Ski Centar Kopanki - Pelister North Macedonia
Checking out the off-piste ski terrain in the Pelister backcountry
Checking out the off-piste ski terrain in the Pelister backcountry
The Pelister ski centre is surrounded by national park
The Pelister ski centre is surrounded by national park
Cat ski or board at Pelister with SF Freeride
Cat ski or board at Pelister with SF Freeride
Backcountry powder skiing at Pelister with SF Freeride
Backcountry powder skiing at Pelister with SF Freeride
Hotel Sumski Feneri is an awesome place to stay near Pelister & is the home of SF Freeride
Hotel Sumski Feneri is an awesome place to stay near Pelister & is the home of SF Freeride
Food in the Pelister region is fantastic, like this feast at Hotel Sumski Feneri
Food in the Pelister region is fantastic, like this feast at Hotel Sumski Feneri
Shiroka Mountain Lodge & SF Freeride cat on a glorious powder day at Pelister
Shiroka Mountain Lodge & SF Freeride cat on a glorious powder day at Pelister
Unloading at Pelister with Sf Freeride cat skiing
Unloading at Pelister with Sf Freeride cat skiing
Freeride powder at Pelister
Freeride powder at Pelister
Ski directly down to the Shiroka Mountain Lodge in the Pelister backcountry
Ski directly down to the Shiroka Mountain Lodge in the Pelister backcountry
Bitola city sights near Pelister ski area
Bitola city sights near Pelister ski area
Views from Pelister summit
Views from Pelister summit
Hotel Molika provides ski-in ski-out accommodation at Pelister ski area
Hotel Molika provides ski-in ski-out accommodation at Pelister ski area
Pelister off-piste powder skiing
Pelister off-piste powder skiing
Ski Pelister North Macedonia
Ski Pelister North Macedonia

Pelister Ski Resort

Readers Ratings

Pelister

Pelister5/51
Pelister5 out of 5 based on 1 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
Maison Sport Ski Instructors Lessons Guiding Independent Europe Switzerland, France, Italy, Alps French Austria 2
    Pelister Kopanki Ski Trail Map
  • Pelister Ski Trail Map
  • Vertical (m)
    1,400m - 1,800m (400m)
  • Average Snow Fall
    3-8m
  • Lifts (2)
    1 Chair
  • Opening Dates & Times
    December to March
    9:00am to 4:30pm
  • Terrain Summary
    Runs - 2km
    Longest run – 1km+
    Advanced - 50%
    Intermediate - 50%
    Beginner - 0%
  • Ski Lift Pass Price
    Day Ticket 20/21
    Unknown, but guaranteed to be cheap!

Pelister Ski Resort North Macedonia

Pelister ski resort is a small skiing centre within the forested Pelister National Park of North Macedonia. Also known as Ski Centar Kopanki, Pelister is in the south of the country near the city of Bitola. Whilst the resort skiing at Pelister-Kopanki can be good for a leg warmer on its 400m of skiable vertical, the main reason to visit the area is for the cat skiing tours run on nearby Baba Mountain.

Skiing & Snowboarding, Lifts & Terrain

As with most of the ski centres in North Macedonia (& throughout the former Yugoslavia), Pelister’s ski lifts are an ancient selection currently consisting of a double chair & T-bar surface lift. From the base area at 1,400m altitude, the two lifts carry skiers to the tree line at 1,800m. From there it is possible to skin or boot another 800m vertical to the top of Pelister Mountain at 2,601m elevation. The alpine skiing can be excellent above the tree line, but it is true backcountry and comes with all the associated thrills, exertion & risks.

See the Pelister ski trail map.

Cat Skiing with SF Freeride

By far the best way to check out Pelister is with the local crew at SF Freeride. Whether it is cat-skiing or some other outdoor proclivity, they can provide all you need for a safe & enjoyable visit to the region.

See here for tours with SF Freeride.

Where is Pelister, North Macedonia?

The Pelister-Kopanki ski resort is 15km (30min) by road west of the North Macedonian city of Bitola and 188km (2½hr) by road south of the capital Skopje. The nearest village is Magarevo.

The main gateway airports is the grandiose titled Skopje Alexander the Great International Airport (SKP), 170km away to the north. Alternatively, the Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) in Greece may appeal to some travellers. The distance by road to Pelister from Thessaloniki (also known as Thessalonica) is 260km & over 3hr travel.

Search & book a great deal on a flight to Skopje of Thessaloniki.

Due to the difficult nature of public transport to the Pelister, for reasons of value & efficiency, we recommend looking at a private transfer. We strongly suggest organising transfers by the local tour & hotel providers, or you can try to search & book here for reputable airport transfers to Pelister.

Pelister Accommodation

A visit to Pelister is made easier by the availability of some fantastic local accommodation. If looking to ski with the SF Freeride cat skiing operation, the best accommodation is at Hotel Sumski Feneri as it is run by the same crew! The hospitality, food & facilities at Hotel Sumski Feneri is second to none

Further up the hill toward the skiing, the small village of Magarevo has the excellent Green Apartments - particularly good for those with their own transport. At the base of the chairlift at the ski resort, Hotel Molika provides ski-in ski-out lodgings.

The nearby city of Bitola has numerous accommodation options. Whilst it can be of interest to visit as a day trip, Bitola is not recommended as an overnight location.

Search & book all Pelister ski accommodation.

Ski & Snowboard Rentals

Ski rentals are available at Pelister; however, we recommend bringing all of your own ski & snowboard equipment when visiting the Balkans.

Review

The Powderhounds reviewed the cat skiing at Pelister in 2019 but had so much fun we missed out on checking out the skiing at the small chairlift. The lifted ski area is NOT a destination in & of itself, but merely a means of doing some fast turns on snow plus supporting the local economy & meeting the locals. We will endeavour to review it on our next visit to the region.

See the rest of the European ski resorts compare on the Europe ski resort ratings page.

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Tours in or near Pelister

Cat Skiing Tours

SF Freeride Cat Skiing Packages
GUIDED BACKCOUNTRY CAT-SKIING
Customised Cat Ski Packages
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
SF Freeride offers great cat ski packages on Pelister in North Macedonia with guided cat skiing & snowboarding powder, accommodation & all meals included. Get a group together & choose your own best dates & duration to fully customise your cat-ski tour. Add extra days & transfers!
Price p/p From price based on 3-day package in a group of 8 people which includes 2 days cat skiing & 2 nights lodging plus all meals
Base/invoice currency is in EUR inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 571
View Details
 
See all Cat Skiing tours that visit Pelister here
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