Ski escape in Romania

Are you craving a break from the city hustle? How about seizing the opportunity for a ski escape with friends?

Amidst the hustle and bustle, planning time to reconnect with our chosen family is vital. This year, we dared to tackle the slopes together for the first time, and it was an awesome experience.

If you’re looking for an adventure-packed weekend that promises both adrenaline and relaxation, why wait? Start planning your next ski escape now and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Ready to hit the slopes and make unforgettable moments with your squad?

5 tips to plan your ski escape

Europe features an impressive array of ski resorts, but what we were looking for was for something less crowed and budget-friendly. So, we set out on a mission to find the perfect ski escape that would satisfy everyone’s wanderlust and wallet.

1. Set a date and destination

Choose a date that works for everyone and decide on a ski escape that suits the group’s preferences and skill levels. In our case, we searched for the cheapest flights to a ski destination in Europe that aligned with everyone’s availability.

The chosen place: Sibiu, in Romania based on the cheapest flights and taking in consideration our friends’ ski experience.

2. Plan transportation

It’s important to consider logistics such as arrival to the airport and to the ski resort. We recommend renting a car, through one of the main online brokers, and paying full insurance when you go pick up the car.

Asking the full insurance through the broker will make you pay for any damages done to the car, and ask for a refund later. Doing it through the real company when you go pick up the car ensure you are fully covered in case something happens, and avoid paying upfront for car damages.

Car is definitely the most convenient way to travel around. Gives you the flexibility and is cheap. For 4 days, we paid roughly £160.

⭐Click here to check rental prices⭐

3. Accommodation

When we travel with friends, we always find better deals on Airbnb, and this time was no exception. We booked a gorgeous and spacious cottage in the village of Vale.

Located in a quiet place just around Sibiu with panoramic views of the valley and the mountains. The fireplace was the cherry on top, the perfect place to relax, especially after spending such a hard time falling and standing up in the snow 😉

4. Pack proper gear

Make sure everyone packs appropriate ski/snowboard clothing, including:

• Waterproof jackets
• Snow pants
• Thermal base layers (top and bottoms)
• Gloves

We bought our thermal base layers from Decathlon, but the rest of our clothes, we got from Vinted.

Vinted is an online marketplace through which users can sell or purchase certain items with others in a second-hand style. It’s an easy, affordable, and sustainable way of buying your ski escape clothes.

Suggestion: Everything we ordered arrived in perfect condition. However, keep in mind that it can take several days or weeks for your items to arrive. Plan well in advance to make sure you’ll have everything you need prior to your trip 🙂

5. Organisation between friends

Keep the lines of communication open with your friends throughout the planning process and be willing to adjust plans as needed to accommodate everyone’s preferences.

Recommendation: To help you and your friends to track your shared expenses, you can an app such as Splitwise. It’s free and simple to use, during your trip.

3 delights of small town skiing

We were looking for a picturesque setting for skiing, as well as a ski escape away from the other crowded resorts. That’s why we chose Arena Platos ski resort. While not as big or well-known as some of Europe’s more popular ski destinations, this resort is situated amidst the stunning landscapes of the Carpathian Mountains, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and thrilling slopes.

1. Affordable fun on the slopes

Dreaming of a ski escape that won’t break the bank? This hidden gem is ideal for just that 🙂

Check out below how much we paid on daily basis. For further details on specific prices, it’s best to check their website.

• Ski rental includes boots, skis/snowboard equipment and helmet (googles not included)
• Lockers are also provided

Recommendation: If you’re a beginner, we highly recommend booking a class. The staff was incredibly friendly and patient, and they taught us the basics (especially how to brake!). Book in advance, as slots may fill up quickly.

2. Friendly environment

Staff and the local residents were friendly and helpful, and everyone spoke English. From the moment we arrive and rent out our equipment, to seeking directions to the best slopes.

We cannot forget to mention the constant moments of falling down! Even in those moments, locals were assisting us to get up, giving tips on how to ski, or simply chatting with us. Pretty sure they also laughed a lot, especially when we almost fell beyond the fence. Oops! Part of the experience, must say 😉

3. Chill atmosphere and breathtaking scenery

It offers a charming and idyllic retreat for those looking to experience the magic of skiing in Romania. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or hitting the slopes for the first time like us.

5 must-dos & must-takes for your ski escape

1. Sun protection

• Bring sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your skin from the sun’s reflection off the snow. Don’t forget sunglasses or goggles to shield your eyes from glare.

2. Safety

• We highly recommend wearing a helmet (ours were included in our ski rental)
• Additionally, consider purchasing travel insurance

We lost the count of how many times we fell (haha definitely hilarious and all part of the ski experience! Such a shame we don’t have videos of that). Falling in the snow was funny and painless, but be cautious of falling on ice! Impact with ice can be painful and result in injuries.

3. Hydration and snacks

• Stay hydrated by bringing a reusable water bottle
• Pack energy-rich snacks such as nuts, fruit, or protein bars
• There are restaurants available for main meals

Our favourite meal: Goulash. Classic goulash is popular all over the world, we tried the first time in Hungary a few years ago however pork Goulash is also a tradition Romanian food. Ours was made with meat, potatoes, some veggies, and bread. For us was that comfort food we were looking forward after an intense ski workout 🙂 warm and fulfilling, to give us energy to ski again.

Vegetarian options: there are also some options. Fewer but are. You can always bring a packed sandwich on your first day at the ski resort, and look if there is another restaurant that you fancy for the following day.

4. Trail map

Familiarise yourself with the resort’s trail map to plan your routes and explore different slopes. Maps are provide at the ski rental.

5. After ski activity

After a day on the slopes, we must say, we were pretty exhausted.

• On the first day, after the skiing, we went to the center of Sibiu
• We explored the city a little bit and went for a traditional restaurant in town

Fun fact: Eyes of Sibiu – are the iconic eyebrow dormers on the roofs of Sibiu’s houses.

There are legends, according to which the eyes were built to frighten the people, making them believe they were being watched. However their real purpose was to act as a ventilation system for the houses attics – where meat, cheese and grain were stored, without letting much sunlight through. Nowadays, the eyes have become one of Sibiu’s most famous symbols.

On the second day after skiing, we were so tired that we decided to chill at home.

• Play some card or board games, draw together
• Or simply chat near the fire place (that’s where the fire place came so handy in our weekend)

Remember to check the weather forecast and resort conditions before heading out, and always ski or snowboard responsibly to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience 🙂

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