From one point of view, Slovakia is a relatively new European country, which appeared after the division of Czechoslovakia, boasting a territory with a rich history and magnificent cultural heritage. It is increasingly sought as a tourist destination in modern times, offering those who come here romantic vacations, dream landscapes, and shopping at affordable prices.
Especially in winter, tourists choose to come to Slovakia, thanks to top mountain resorts and landscapes that cut your breath. There are around 300 hotels, mostly located in national parks, excellent snow conditions, and countless attractions, both for experts and amateurs. Here are just some of the most beautiful ski destinations in Slovakia that can be chosen if you want to experience a white Heaven on Earth.
Malá Fatra
A true gift from God, located in the Zilina region, in the northwest of Slovakia, Malá Fatra (The Little Fatra) is considered a top destination for all those passionate about skiing and snowboarding. Here is also the Malá Fatra National Park, inaugurated in 1988 and divided in the north (Krivánska) and the south (Lúčanská). The place’s nature is exciting, and the mountains in the region are the fourth highest in Slovakia. Malá Fatra offers extraordinary conditions for trekking and skiing, plus a lot of adrenaline and possibilities to practice other winter sports.
As for the accommodation offers, these are at the highest standards, the hotels can be booked in time and offering travel packages that include transfers by minibus in the area. The place is ideal for beginners and the most experienced, especially in the Vrátna valley area. Other locations worth exploring are Valčianska and Martinky Park. For sure, you will not have time to get bored, because here is also the Jánošíkove diery waterfall, Malý Veľký Kriváň and Šútovský or Veľký Rozsutec.
Veľká Fatra
Still known as the National Park of Slovakia, since 2002, the Great Fatra (Veľká Fatra) stretches between Liptovská and Turcianska Basin. This is a protected mountain chain, and here are the most important resorts where you can practice winter sports in Slovakia, such as Harmanec, Ružomberok, Martin, and Turčianske Teplice. You can also be attracted by the picturesque Brankovský waterfall and dream locations: Krížna, Rakyto, or Skalna Alpa.
Also, here is the Harmanecká Cave, about 2650 meters long, only half-open for adventurous. The reason why the Greater Fatra mountains represent a symbol of Slovakia in Europe is that they are very well preserved and truly irresistible, from whatever side you look at. They are surrounded by the Liptovska basin, the Tureic basin, and the Kremnic hills.
The main ridge separates them into two branches: Liptovská and Turčianska. The most beautiful peaks are Skalna Alpa, Krížna, Rakytov, Ostrá, Lysec and Klak. In this impressive national park live over 3000 species of invertebrates, namely: 932 species of butterflies, 717 species of beetles, 509 species of cockroaches, and over 350 species of spiders.
Nízke Tatry
Nízke Tatry is the second mountain range of Slovakia regarding the number of tourists coming here. In the eastern part of this region, between the Kráľova Hoľa and Čertovica Valleys, there are many untouched forests in which many species of animals live in their natural habitat and where the trekking fans will feel at ease. In recent years, tourism has gained momentum in this area, defending numerous campsites, hotels, chairlifts, ski lifts, and mountain resorts.
The location of the Nízke Tatry Mountains (The Lower Tatras) is as idyllic as possible, thanks to the landscapes offered by the valleys of the Váh and Hron rivers, which preserved their charm and rural atmosphere. These are the most visited mountains after the High Tatras and a fantastic place for walks through the forests in the area, of which stands Kráľova hoľa and Čertovica. Those who come here are offered accommodation in the elegant hotels of Vyšná Boca resorts and Bystrá valley or Demänovská valley, where you have tourist guides who will help you discover the many caves in the area.
Vysoké Tatry
The charming Vysoké Tatry Mountains are the main “ingredient” of the first cross-border European national park, inaugurated in 1948. There are 11 peaks, with a height of over 2500 meters which are hosting dream locations such as Starý Smokovec, Štrbské Pleso, and Tatranská Lomnica, which can be easily reached from the nearby town of Poprad.
Tatranská Lomnica area is known for its cable car that climbs to the steepest and highest mountain peak in Europe, Lomnický štít. Further, the Hrebienok ski resort is located near the Starý Smokovec peak, 1285 meters high. In 1993, together with the Polish side of the Tatras, Vysoké Tatry was declared by UNESCO “The Biospherical Reserve of the Tatras”.
Západné Tatry
The Západné Tatry (Western Tatras) mountain range in the Orava region is part of the Tatra National Park, which is visited for its dream landscape, the idyllic paths for walking, and the winter sports facilities. In this hospitable and traditional area is the town of Zuberec. This place houses some of the most remarkable symbols of the local history: the Orava Castle and the Open Air Museum Orava, where you can admire wooden houses dating back to the 16th century.
The Západné Tatry Mountains consist of rocks such as clay and granite, and limestone in the north. The Západné Tatry Mountains were formed with the help of former glaciers that prevailed in the Rackova and Jamnicka sinkholes and those in the Bystra, Kamenista, and Ziarska areas. If you move to the north of the Západné Tatry Mountains, in the Rohacska sinkhole, you will see six mountain lakes located at altitudes ranging between 1370 and 1719 meters.
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