A FANTASTIC START TO THE SKI SEASON

Photo: Skijališta Srbije

This winter, skiing started on Kopaonik, then on Stara Planina, and finally on Tornik at the end of December. We spoke with Dejan Ćika, the director of Ski resorts of Serbia, about what we may expect in these mountains till the season ends.

DEJAN ĆIKA, DIRECTOR OF SKI RESORTS OF SERBIA

The ski season in Serbia has started. What are your impressions?

We are really satisfied, especially because this is the first time in ten years that Kopaonik has operated with such a huge number of ski trails, up to 25. Thanks to the excellent organization of Ski resorts of Serbia, as well as snowmaking and natural snow, we had a great start to the season.

Last year there was less snow at this time, but now the situation is better. On what occasions do you use a snowmaking system?

The snowmaking system is one of the most important elements for the functioning of the ski center. We have learned that we cannot afford the luxury of relying on natural snowfall, so we've equipped every single one of our ski resorts. Since the mixture of natural and artificial snow is the best basis for the longest and finest quality skiing, we use every opportunity and minus temperature to produce snow. So we are starting this year's ski season with the best possible surface, which will surely last until May.

TORNIK

The Brzeće-Mali Karaman gondola was ceremoniously launched in February. What did the Kopaonik ski resort gain by installing it?

The Brzeće-Mali Karaman gondola is a significant investment that skiers have long awaited. The gondola not only helped to modernize the Kopaonik ski center, but it also provided a chance for further investment and development of this mountain center. In addition to being very convenient for transporting skiers, it also allows guests to go to the center of the ski resort in a faster and easier way, thus solving the problem of overcrowded vehicles on the mountain.

KOPAONIK

What preventive epidemiological measures are being implemented in ski centers?

All measures required by the Crisis Staff and the Government of the Republic of Serbia are strictly followed by Serbian ski resorts. We are obliged to wear masks and bandanas, to keep a prescribed distance and to use ski installations, as the COVID warden from the Ski resorts of Serbia will say. We are taking all the measures necessary to ensure the safety of both tourists and employees, and we hope that skiers will understand and follow all the rules. The Ski resorts of Serbia and the Torlak Institute have signed an agreement that enables PCR and antigen testing for the needs of tourists in Kopaonik. Also, if any of the visitors expresses a wish, they will be able to get vaccinated on the premises of the Trauma Center on the mountain.

GONDOLA AT KOPAONIK

 Given the pandemic and travel ban, how were the previous two winter seasons?

Regardless of the circumstances in which we live, we see an increase in the number of skiers and tourists visiting our ski resorts from year to year. Despite the fact that we were fully closed last year, we had a record-breaking and extremely successful year. We expect the same result this time, and we are fully prepared for all of the challenges that await us this ski season.

STARA PLANINA

What awaits us in the mountains this winter?

Numerous races, both humanitarian and significant to skiing, such as the organization of the European Cup, are planned. We'll also be celebrating World Snow Day, and we'll be performing a helicopter evacuation drill with representatives of the Mountain Rescue Service and the Ministry of the Interior. The heliport was completed as part of the Garage Kopaonik project, and it is a crucial investment in the ski center's security. The heliport and the usage of helicopters are extremely important in the case of serious injuries on the ski slope and the transport of the injured to the nearest clinical center. We are organizing the third annual Moresce Summit of mountain centers at the end of March, where we will bring together all manufacturers of cable cars, artificial snow systems, and special machinery, as well as professionals who operate ski centers across Europe. The exchange of knowledge and experience is very important for the further improvement and development of mountain centers, and we expect a large turnout for this event.

GONDOLA AT STARA PLANINA

Photos: SKI RESORTS OF SERBIA