Romania ski holidays and 7 reasons to go for it
Ski holidays for families with kids in school are quite a tricky business. For the last 5 winters, there was little snow at the end of December and at spring break, snow is far from ideal. That literally leaves 1 perfect opportunity window to all of us: February half term. Prices triple at 3 Vallees, Val d’Isere or Chamonix versus January and good places get sold out a year before. So how about Romania ski holidays? Sinaia Romania ski resort and/ or Poiana Brasov ski are two fabulous options.
And a good alternative destination to your classic slopes of France, Italy, Switzerland or Austria! My native Romania is not on the advanced skiers list but what lacks in number of slopes, perhaps can be compensated in local charm, authenticity as well as some reasonable prices.
The flight to Bucharest takes little over 3 hours and the transfer to ski resorts like Sinaia Romania ski resort is about 2- 3 hours traffic dependent or 3.5 – 5 hours for Poiana. You may even be in for a treat and spot on Romanian roads the good old way of travelling – carriages pulled by horses! 😉 Since 2023 also Wizzair flying to Brasov directly, grab your tickets and enjoy Transylvania at its best!
As base for Sinaia Romania ski resort we recommend Ioana hotel, we’ve been less than a year ago and wrote about in here. For Poiana Brasov ski, few good options and for parents with kids like ours in need of a kidsclub, Ana hotel or Hotel Teleferic. Both have ski schools attached as well as spa facilities and restaurants – no need to go out for breakfast or dinner. If you are after a flat or self catering, check Hotel Alpin or Rizzo Boutique hotel. We stayed with Rizzo Boutique a couple of years ago and we wrote about in here.
For kids skiing: 5 half days on 1 green slope of Bradu and 1 red slope of Postavaru is a good option. Here is a short video for Poiana Brasov ski & 3.5 years old cheeky monkey on Bradu slope. For well versed young mountain lovers, skiing in Romania has also some good options, Lupului and Teleferic our favourites, some more videos, 7 years old on black slopes in here.
For adults about 3 full days I’d say are enough: 2 blacks – Lupului and Sub-teleferic, 2 reds – Sulinaru & Rosu. As long as you manage expectations – this is not Italy, France or Austria afterall in terms of variety and numbers of slopes; you are relatively fine.
So why do we suggest Romania ski holidays ?
1. Great value for money boutique accommodation.
2. Friendly prices for ski classes, equipment and passes.
3. Rich mountain gastronomy and treats.
4. Fun options to skiing: iceskating or snowmobile. Or perhaps just licking icicles? 😉
5. Majestic Carpathians with stunning landscapes – horse riding in the forest or just trekking.
6.Tickle your imagination and see that touristy Dracula castle (a 30min drive from Poiana) or the Peles Castle at Sinaia (a stop on your way to or from Otopeni airport).
7. More urban fun – 13km away from Poiana, there’s Brasov: the Black Church, colourful houses on pedestrian cobbled streets and lively bars and restaurants waiting to be discovered.
In need of more insider tips to enjoy Romania ski holidays like a local? Here are my further tips:
Avoid the weekend on slopes, in the traffic or Bran – it will be packed. Best you spend Saturday and Sunday après skiing and at restaurants – all becomes happy and lively. Spa, pool and massage eventually thereafter for a quicker recovery!
Travelling to Romania during the pandemic (February 2021 & August 2021). Being fully vaccinated and travelling from UK to Romania was easy, just a couple of extra forms and tests. The travelling guidance now all good (thank you universe!) & the latest UK Foreign travel advice here just in case. For more inspiration on winter fun, head to our Best ski resorts in Europe with kids or without. For a road trip to Romania with kids or without, head here to our suggested 10 days itinerary.
28 comments on “Romania ski holidays and 7 reasons to go for it”
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We’d love to try our hand at skiing as we’ve never been, too expensive but Romania sound like a good alternative to France. Like the sound of visiting Dracula castle too, my folks would go for that! #CountryKids x
Definitely worth considering half term Feb or peak dates! In many ways it’s enchanting and so different, many of the rural sides still so untouched but then hotels and everything else nice and still affordable! Do email me if you have specific questions and you’re booking soon! x
I’ve never heard of skiing in Romania, I’ve visited in summer before many years ago and found the country fascinating, I suppose it makes sense they would have good ski conditions in winter. Your photos look wonderful and a fraction the price of the traditional resorts. A good tip about the weekends too, I could happily settle into Apres ski then.
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
Hehe Fiona, apres skiing is big in Romania, would love to show it to you ladies one day! Pleasure to link in as usual!
I would love to take my children skiing and that place looks perfect
Hope you get to skiing with the kids soon and do pm or tweet me if you have any questions – Romania or France related or just packing!
I can’t ski but I’ve always fancied visiting countries with real snow anyway. Romania sounds like a beautiful country to explore and a great cheaper alternative. School holiday prices are a nightmare aren’t they #CountryKids
Indeed Mary! hope you get to see Romania soon, also beautiful in the summer!
I’m a big fan of small ski resorts, I’ll have to try Romania’s slopes some time! #countrykids
Hope you get to try soon Annabel!
We want to take our girls skiing so great to get some advice
Great to hear Karen, dont hesitate to pm or twee me if you have questions. We also have a packing list article, do shout if you need the link. Happy skiing, it’s the right topic to cheer us up on this #BlueMonday 😉
what a picturesque place inside or outside! Looks like a lovely place to go and I wish we have snow! #countrykids
Thank you Merlinda, glad you like me home town! I miss often the white winters, cosiness and human size – compared to London that we love but occasionally overwhelms us…
Looks like such a beautiful place. I haven’t done skiing since I was a teen but I would be really tempted to try it again. #countrykids
I hope you get to soon Karen! Skiing and apres skiing are so much fun 😉
Skiing in Romania sounds amazing! What a great value destination and so much fun too. I’d be interested to know how much english spoken as we would definitely need some instruction! Thanks fornsharing on #FarawayFiles
Hey Katy, English is widely spoken in Romania, you would not have a problem! Dare I say wider than France & Italy ? 😉 Pleasure to link in!
I was actually just reading about Romanian ski holidays when I was looking up Feb travels! You have definitely convinced me it worthiness – so beautiful and family friendly. Thank you for sharing with #FarawayFiles
Great to hear Erin! Pleasure to link in as usual 😉
What a great idea! I know many people are put off from Skiing as it’s an expensive sport! You’ve provided an affordable and beautiful alternative to those other more expensive and probably more crowded destinations! #farawayfiles
Thanks Hilary! Definitely more affordable but unfortunately also busy as the number of slopes in Poiana is rather limited…especially compared to huge ski domaines like val d’isere or 3 vallees…
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