Balkan Backcountry: Skiing Beyond Borders

Difficulty

Challenging

Comfort

Basic+

Group size

3-8 tourists,
over 16 y.o.

Experience one of the Balkans' best-kept secrets on an eight-day ski touring trip through the rugged and remote Sharr Mountains. Designed for those seeking pristine powder, scenic alpine descents, and an immersive connection to local culture, this journey offers a true escape from the ordinary.

Far from crowded resorts and tourist hotspots, this tour focuses on the simplicity and rhythm of mountain life—skiing in wild terrain, enjoying hearty local meals, and unwinding in the quiet beauty of untouched nature.

Expeditions (Explorer Adventures)

Ricardo F. is the provider of this trip

The provider speaks: English

Adventurer grounded in Tirana, Albania📍Hobby storyteller, international mountain leader, MTB and rafting guide.

Tour highlights

Exceptional Ski Touring in the Sharr Mountains

Enjoy some of the finest snow conditions in the Balkans, exploring diverse terrain that ranges from open alpine slopes to pristine, tree-lined glades.

Unique Cultural Encounters

Immerse yourself in the vibrant heritage of Kosovo’s mountain communities and experience their genuine warmth and hospitality.

Pristine Slopes and Snow Guarantee

The area is known for its abundant powder snow, created where moist Adriatic weather systems collide with the dramatic mountain terrain.

Route details

Begin your trip with a picturesque two-hour drive through rolling hills, arriving at Prevalla Pass, set at 1,515 meters in the heart of the Sharr Mountains. Settle into a comfortable mountain lodge, your base for the upcoming days of adventure.

That evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring traditional local dishes, topped off with a glass of plum rakija, as your guide provides an overview of the week’s ski touring plan.

Pristina Airport is the most convenient arrival point—just 1.5 hours from Prevalla.

Difficulty

Challenging

Does not require specific skills, but one must be in good health

Tour provider's comments

This ski touring trip includes six full days on the mountain, with daily ascents typically lasting 4 to 6 hours and elevation gains between 800 and 1,200 meters. The terrain is mostly open, with some sections passing through forested areas. Routes are selected based on snow quality and safety conditions. While technical mountaineering skills such as ropework or glacier travel are not necessary, participants should have prior ski touring experience and be in good physical condition.

Due to the alpine and occasionally remote setting, a high level of fitness is important. Prior experience in trekking or mountain travel is beneficial, though not strictly required if you're confident in your endurance and balance on rough or uneven ground. Weather can be unpredictable, and participants should be prepared for harsh conditions and unmarked, rocky trails.

Accommodation

Comfort

Basic+

Hotel

7 nights

Spend the first four nights in Prevalla at a welcoming mountain hotel, featuring private en-suite rooms and hearty meals to fuel your days on the snow. The tour then heads to Dragash, where you’ll stay two nights in a modest but comfortable hotel in the heart of the town, well-suited for those with a love of the outdoors. The journey wraps up with a final night in Prizren, enjoying accommodation in a centrally located hotel perfect for exploring the historic town.

Tickets to group meeting place

Group meeting place

Pristina

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Partnered with

Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route

You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on

the forecasts for this season
the statistics from previous years’ trips

Tour conditions

Included

English-speaking guide throughout the trip;
Accommodation;
Meals included and water;
Transfers as outlined in the itinerary;
Group airport transfer upon arrival and departure;
Luggage transport for one piece per person;
All entrance fees;
Trekking permits;
Border crossing permits.

Extras

Meals not mentioned above and drinks;
Personal expenses;
Flights;
Overseas health insurance.

Group size

3-8 tourists, over 16 y.o.

Duration

8 days

7 nights

It's important to know

Specialized ski touring gear in various sizes is not available locally, please ensure you bring all necessary equipment with you. Emergency spare gear may be arranged in case of technical failures.