What To Do in Slovakia in Winter
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Winter months in Slovakia have their own magic. They can be harsh and beautiful at the same time. Climate change is visible in Slovakia as well and the number of winter days with snow and frost is diminishing. However, there are still a lot of areas with higher altitudes where a proper winter atmosphere can be experienced. We have compiled a list of mostly outdoor activities that you can try in Slovakia in winter time.
1. Put on Skis
Slovakia offers great conditions for various types of skiing sports. You can find a ski slope in almost every village and town in north and central Slovakia. You can choose from the bigger ski resorts in national parks (High Tatras, Western Tatras, Low Tatras, Malá Fatra…) or enjoy the ride on a small local slope. More and more people are now enjoying ski touring (you use your skis with skins for ascent). Slovakia also has plenty of trails for cross-country skiing as well as events for people who enjoy this type of sport.
If you decide to put on any type of skis, you can easily borrow all the necessary equipment from rental places. Just make sure you are aware of all the safety rules and your insurance covers these activities as well.
2. Have Some Fun in Snow
Sledding is fun no matter how old you are. So if there is snow, get a sledge or just grab a plastic bag and go enjoy some rides on anything that resembles a hill. Or build a snowman of any shape you like, you can be as creative as you want! And the final result will definitely make so many passers-by smile. Enjoy the joys that snow offers , don’t let your mind convince you that you are too old for all this.
3. Try Ice Skating
Long-term temperatures below zero turn small lakes into natural ice rinks with beautiful scenery. The surface might not always be as smooth as on proper skating rinks but that’s a natural part of the experience. If skating on a frozen lake is not your cup of tea but you still want to enjoy some rounds on skates, there are still many indoor and outdoor rinks where you can go.
4. Go for a Walk or Hike
Did you know that Slovakia is often considered to have the best-marked trails in the world? There are more than 15 000 km of marked trails across the country and most of them are accessible in winter as well, although depending on area and conditions, you might need some extra winter equipment (poles, snowshoes, crampons…). The best is to plan your trip using online or paper hiking maps. It’s also very useful to download offline hiking maps to your phone so you can always check where you are even if there is no signal. And if you go to mountain areas, make sure you have a number of Slovak Mountain Rescue Service (18 300) or their app downloaded.
5. Explore Cultural Heritage
Slovakia is a very diverse country not only in terms of geography but also culture. It has more than hundred castles and several hundreds of manor houses. Slovakia has 6 cultural sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. In every region, there are plenty of places to explore and during winter days, they probably won’t be as busy as during summer.
6. Relax in Thermal Waters
Who wouldn’t want to relax their body and soul in hot water during a winter day. Slovakia has many thermal waters and facilities built around them where you can enjoy the healing bath. But there are also several natural hot springs where you can have a bath for free. Some of them are well hidden and many Slovaks don’t even know about their existence. Search for Lukavica, Chorvátsky Grob or Kalameny hot spring.
Have you tried any of the things from the list? Do you have any other tips on what to do in winter or what places to visit? Share it with the community in the Living Abroad Forum.
You can find some basic Slovak vocabulary about winter in our 5 minute Slovak discussion in Practice Your Slovak Forum.
Enjoy the winter days!
Source: Unsplash