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Ski Tour Fest 2024

About Ski Tour Fest

Ski Tour Fest is the first and only event of its kind in the Balkans. It gives its participants the opportunity to ski on little known, yet some of the most beautiful mountains in Europe. It also promotes cultural exchange between the participants and numerous locals involved with the festival. The festival takes place on four mountains Hajla, Bogićevica and Prokletije, and in three countries - Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo. All locations are special, yet different and vast enough to leave large areas unconquered for future visits and festivals.

Our aim is to keep running the festival, while maintaining it relatively small, organic, and uncommercial. This gives us, the organisers, a chance to dedicate time and establish true bonds with all the participants.

Ski Tour Fest is a truly unique event that brings together likeminded people with a passion for mountains and skiing. We hope that you can join this year and share this amazing experience with us!


Announcement: The Inaugural Balkan Haute Route!

Excitement is in the air as we unveil something truly extraordinary for the PRO group this year! Through tireless efforts and newfound connections across borders, we are thrilled to present the inaugural edition of the Balkan Haute Route.

Thanks to the warm hospitality of the locals in Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania, we are set to embark on a remarkable skiing adventure through the breathtaking Accursed Mountains. This unique event promises to be an unforgettable experience as we traverse the most stunning mountain peaks in the region.

Event Highlights:

  • Cross-Border Adventure: Explore the beauty of Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania on skis, forging connections that transcend borders.
  • Epic Routes: Ski the majestic peaks of the Accursed Mountains, a truly unparalleled experience for avid ski touring enthusiasts.
  • Local Collaboration: Thanks to our local partners, we'll immerse ourselves in the rich culture and hospitality of each country, adding a special touch to our journey.

Save the date for this exceptional event, as we promise an adventure that goes beyond the ordinary. Get ready for the first edition of the Balkan Haute Route — where passion meets the peaks! Stay tuned for more details on registration, itinerary, and special features. This is a journey you won't want to miss!

See you on the slopes!

FAQ

  • In 2024, Ski Tour Fest will be held for:
    • Highly experienced participants from 24th February to 3rd March - entry fee 100 euros (includes organisation, guides, and the festival t-shirt)
    • Beginner & Intermediate participants from 4th March to 10th March - entry fee 150 euros (includes organisation, guides, ski touring and avalanche survival courses and the festival t-shirt)
  • Registration and entry ticket payments via the website. Accomodation, food and logistics you have to pay on arrival.
  • Costs for : accommodation, food, transportation, local guide, organization 600 euros per person.
  • Mealas included : Half Board - Breakfast & Dinner
  • Participant limit for each event is 30.
  • Accommodation will be in private houses and mountain lodges.
  • Due to difficulty of access in snow conditions, stays in certain locations during the festival will require you to undertake part of the journey on skis and/or carry your own belongings and food.
  • Yes, it is possible to join us for a part of the festival, but you will be required to organise your own transport to the agreed location.
  • You are required to bring your own avalanche rescue equipment: beacon, shovel, and probe.
  • If you registered and paid for this year’s event but are unable to attend, your registration will be reassigned for next year.
  • Participating in the event is at your own risk.

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Detailed Schedule :

Pro & Expert group :

  • Day 1 (Saturday) - 24.02.2024
    • Gathering in Plav until 12:00
    • Transfer to Babino Polje
    • Overnight in Babino Polje at 1550 meters
  • Day 2 (Sunday) - 25.02.2024
    • Skiing Pasji peak (2405)
    • Overnight in Babino Polje
  • Day 3 (Monday) - 26.02.2024
    • Skiing Starac peak (2352)
    • Overnight in Babino Polje
  • Day 4 (Tuesday) - 27.02.2024
    • Skining to the ridge between Montenegro and Albania, Maja e Spalit peak (2203)
    • Skiing to Doberdol (Bashkimi Guesthouse at 1800)
    • Overnight in Bashkimi Guesthouse
  • Day 5 (Wednesday) - 28.02.2024
    • Skiing from Liqeni i Dashit lake (2180) (can continue to Maja Kershit Kocajve 2397)
    • Overnight in Bashkimi Guesthouse
  • Day 6 (Thursday) - 29.02.2024
    • Climbing Tromedja peak (2366)
    • Skiing to Bjeshka e Tropojes (Gacaferi Guesthouse at 1850)
    • Overnight in Gacaferi Guesthouse
  • Day 7 (Friday) - 01.03.2024
    • Skiing Maja Bogicaj (2405)
    • Overnight in Gacaferi Guesthouse
  • Day 8 (Saturday) - 02.03.2024
    • Skiing Maja e Ram Arucit (2358)
    • Overnight in Gacaferi Guesthouse
  • Day 9 (Sunday) - 03.03.2024
    • Climbing Ravno Brdo (2204)
    • Skiing to Babino Polje
    • Transfer to Plav

List of Mandatory Equipment for Expert and Pro Participants:

  1. Ski touring gear (skis or splitboard, skins, boots, and poles)
  2. Necessary clothing for ski touring
  3. Backpack
  4. Climbing harness
  5. 2x locking carabiners
  6. 2x 60cm sling
  7. ATC, Reverso, or similar belay device
  8. 1m prussic cord
  9. Crampons
  10. Ice axe
  11. Bivy bag
  12. Winter sleeping bag
  13. First aid kit
  14. Head torch
  15. Avalanche trio (avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel)
  16. Passport
  17. Personal cutlery set and plate
  18. Participants should have knowledge of basic fixed rope rappelling and ascending techniques in case of snow cornice passages.

Beginner & Intermediate group :

Date - Location - Accomodation - Activity
  • Day 1 (Monday) - 04.03.2024
    • Gathering in Plav until 12:00
    • Transfer to Babino Polje
    • Night theoretical lecture
    • Overnight in Babino Polje
  • Day 2 (Tuesday) - 05.03.2024
    • Morning theoretical lecture
    • Field practice
    • Night theoretical lecture
    • Overnight in Babino Polje
  • Day 3 (Wednesday) - 06.03.2023
    • Morning theoretical lecture
    • Field practice
    • Overnight in Babino Polje
  • Day 4 (Thursday) - 07.03.2023
    • Transfer to Plav
    • Drive to Rozaje
    • Transfer to Bandzov
    • Night ski touring to Hajla (Grope mountain hut) 1950
    • Overnight in Grope
  • Day 5 (Friday) - 08.03.2023
    • Field practice
    • Overnight in Grope
  • Day 6 (Saturday) - 09.03.2023
    • Field practice
    • Overnight in Grope
  • Day 7 (Sunday) - 10.03.2023
    • Skiing down to Bandzov
    • Transfer to Rozaje

For Beginners and Intermediate Ski Touring Enthusiasts:

We have prepared a well-established program that includes a ski touring course in Babino Polje in the Accursed Mountains and Grope mountain hut in Hajla mountain.

In the Ski Touring Course, we will cover the following topics:

  • Ski touring equipment
  • Dangers in the ski touring environment and their prevention
  • Injuries and first aid
  • Avalanches and avalanche-prone terrain
  • Snowpack and snowpack stability test
  • Avalanche safety equipment and its usage
  • Procedures for searching for buried victims and their extraction
  • Route planning, navigation, and meteorology
  • Walking on steep terrain with snow crampons and ice axe

List of Mandatory Equipment for Intermediate and Beginners:

  1. Ski touring gear (skis or splitboard, skins, boots, and poles)
  2. Necessary clothing for ski touring
  3. Backpack
  4. Crampons
  5. Ice axe
  6. Bivy bag
  7. Sleeping bag
  8. First aid kit
  9. Head torch
  10. Avalanche trio (avalanche transceiver, probe, and shovel)
  11. Passport
  12. Personal cutlery set and plate

During the course, theoretical lectures will be complemented by practical applications in the field.

Participants will have the opportunity to apply concepts learned in the theoretical lectures through hands-on experiences, field lectures, and techniques. This integrated approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of ski touring fundamentals and safety practices.


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