Popova Sapka

Dating from 1947, Popova Shapka is one of the oldest and biggest ski centers in Macedonia, settled on the slopes of the most highest mountains in our country, Shar Mountain. Situated 1800m above sea level, characteristic with numerous sunny days and snow cover suitable for skiing from late November until April.

The ski center is pretty much attractive because of the picks who reach height over 2500 m and among them stands out Titov Vrv with height of 2748m. Stretching the area of 35 km2, the ski center has few chairlifts and ski lifts with 11000 m total length, with capacity of 8000 skiers per hour and approximately 20 km of trails.

Only 65 km away from the capital city Skopje and 7 km from Tetovo reachable with the gondola that is out of use at the moment. The trails are suitable for skiing for everyone, from beginners to professionals who like free ride adventures. At the center three trails built according FIS criteria are available where is held the international Sharplaninski Cup in slalom and giant slalom. What makes this resort very attractive are the enormous possibilities for free ride skiing and snowboarding through untouched landscapes and wilderness on the both sides of the mountain.

Sharplaninski Cup, international FIS race in slalom and giant slalom, Snowboard cup.

Shar Mountain is one of the most grandiose and highest mountain in Macedonia, situated  in the northwestern part , horizontal projection length of 80 covering with an area of 1600 km2 with an average  pick ‘s height of 2200m. Shara’s massif is characterized with cold winters and pleasant summer. Average temperature in winter period is -1,5° and in summer 17°C.The thickness of the snow reaches 100 cm lasting four months at high of 1300 m and the winds blow from northwest. The massif is characterized with diverse  flora and fauna, an area of 45000 ha occupies  high mountain pastures and high trees under coniferous forest and evergreen fir and  spruce stands and in the lower areas beech and chestnut forest up to 1700 m (10.000 ha).

Over 200 endemic plant taxa, representing the higher percentage of endemics in Macedonia. The presence of fauna is also high with over 44 species of animals such as: lynx, doe, bear wild boar. From the birds apart various species of eagles, falcons and hawks. Furthermore this mountain is famous with the local dog breed, an endemic sample and pride of Shar Mountain and Macedonia. An exquisite characteristic of Shara are the Shara eyes which represent a numerous glacial lakes, about 25 permanent ,14 occasional and over 150 ponds. The water potential of this massif is very huge and counts over 200 springs of pure water.

Numerous peaks over 2500 m high characterize Shar Mountain: Titov Vrv (2.747) •Mal Turcin (2.702) • Bakardan (2.700) • Peskovi (2.651) • Causica (2.620) • Ginibeg (2.610) • Borislavec (2.602) • Trapeznica (2.599) • Crn Vrv (2.585) • Golema Vraca (2.582) •Ezerski Vrv (2.580) • Kazani (2.567) • Vrtop (2.555) • Sin Vrv (2.550) • Bistrica (2.540) • Kobilica (2.528) • Ceripasina(2.525) etc.

Shar Mountain has a great potential in development of mountain sports like skiing, alpinism, mountaineering, tracking, paragliding, hunting and fishing, and possibilities for building more ski resorts too.

Popova Shapka, compared to the number of ski lifts and chairlifts seems to be a small resort, but compared to the length of the slopes dominates on the Balkans.

Enormous untouched landscapes and wilderness for freeride, reachable around the resort, represents a snow paradise for advanced and extreme skiing.

At the moment at the resort 5 ski lifts are available, operative and in function, 2 double seated chairlifts with total length of 11 km with height difference from 1600 to 2400m above sea level. The length of the trials is about 20 km, and total ski slopes cover over 35 km2.

Ski lifts

Teteks 1-possibility for night skiing

Teteks 2- possibility for night skiing

Airport

Ge

Jelak

Double seated chairlifts

Ceripashina x 3 FIS criteria trails

St.Ilija

Gondola

Tetovo –Popova Shapka non operative

The resort is equipped and has snowmobiles,4-5 Pisten Bully rat racks from which 2 are with cabins for transporting skiers that like freeriding at nearby picks. At the moment the resort has no snow cannons as  rarely there is a lack of snow at least for free ride

Planned activities 2015-2016

The construction of an artificial lake is in progress and procurement of snow cannons that will accommodate  the resort. A six seated ski lifts will be installed in order to take skiers to high picks and additional two trials 7 km long from Ceripashina pick 2525m,are the activities that are to get the center to the top of the Balkans.

Hotel Scardus 4*

Located on Popova Sapka, the Scardus hotel is an ideal destination for adventure holidays, family vacations, group and corporate events, as well as nature lovers, seeking peace and tranquility.

Hotel Scardus features indoor pools, a sauna, a Turkish bath and a fitness center, all free of charge. A spa and health club and massage services are available for a fee for our visitors. Free private parking is available on site and free Wi-Fi is available in public areas.

The Hotel comprises of 35 spacious apartments finished to high standards, including laminate flooring, under floor heating, fully fitted kitchen inclusive of appliances and furniture which is of high quality. Each room at the hotel Scardus includes a TV with cable channels and a minibar. Some rooms have a sofa and a dining table. The private bathroom is fitted with a bathtub, free toiletries and a hairdryer. A private balcony, opening to mountain views, is featured in some of the units.

Complementing the Hotel, there are various amenities including a Reception, Night Bar, Restaurant, Ski Rooms and Laundry, Children’s Indoor playing area, Conference Hall.

The hotel Scardus Restaurant serves a variety of delicious local and international cuisine and excellent wines in a relaxing atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.

Whether you are looking for an active holiday, adventures, relaxation, family vacation or facilities for business events, Scardus Hotel Resort is the place to visit!

Hotel Snow Patrol lodge

The hotel is great place when looking over the slopes, parking for guests, restaurant (great kitchen – the local specialties and international cuisine), lounge bar with fireplace, panoramic terrace, storage room for ski equipment, conference room, possibility of organizing catskiing (groups of 20 people), weekend afterski with DJs and cover rock bands.

Noli’s Konak

In August 2010 a young Swiss couple originary from Tetovo bought the place and decided to completely renovate the building and bring to the High european Standards. The motivation of the new owners was to invest in their country and bring their experience from Switzerland and travelling over the world in such a place like Popova Shapka which deserve a place like Noli’s Konak.

Hotel Slavija

Hotel Slavija is situated near the ski lifts. The hotel is very attractive because of the swimming pool where the temperature of the water is approximately 30 °C and in the same time the guests can enjoy in the fresh mountain air and hot water.

Hotel Popova Sapka

Hotel Popova Sapka is situated near the ski lifts. This mountain is famous for the competition in alpine skiing under the name Sarplaninski cup. All the competitors are situated in hotel Popova Sapka. In front of the hotel is own parking for more than 50 cars.

Hotel Arena Tetex Popova Sapka

Located on the lowest point of the resort gives you the opportunity to ski until the “last drop”. Small limited room capacity for house atmosphere. Traditional kitchen. Ski out the door. Very inexpensive. Good place to relax.

„Casa Leone“ apartments

In the restaurant you can try many different Italian specialties. The lady owner is German and her husband lived in Italy, so during your stay in “Casa Leone”, you can hear Albanian, English, Macedonian, German and Italian languages and to try many specialties from different cuisines. They decided to move to Popova Sapka and start a family bussiness. They named the restaurant and the apartments by their child,  Luan.

Private accommodation

Weekend house Popova Sapka 078/337-100 : 078-263-310