Fifteen years ago, the Kolasin 1450 Ski Resort elebrated its inaugural season, as a new and improved version of the original Bjelasica Ski Resort. It first opened in 1990 with only a couple of pists and one ski lift that still operates today.
Towards the end of the 2000s, the Montenegrin Government was concerned about the financial viability of the Kolasin ski area so a plan was devised to expand and rebrand it into a more exciting full-time resort that could take on regional rivals.
The resort would merge in 2022 with Kolasin 1600 into one larger resort, connected by the brand-new K7 lift. Montenegro is ambitious and plans to quintuple the total slope length in the near future, turning it possibly into the Balkan’s largest ski resort.
And, even though the resort has grown in size and now draws in even more tourists than it used to, it is, and will always remain a sanctuary for skiers and snowboarders searching for a thrilling experience within the safety and commune of a ski resort.
And, while it comes down to individual taste and personal preference, many skiers claim that the slopes here are better than the ones in neighboring Kolasin 1600. All trails lead through beautiful and scenting pine forests and you will have to choose between 6 blue, 7 red, and 3 black slopes.
The resort’s primary ski lift, a super comfortable six-seater, takes you up Vilina Voda in just 5-6 minutes – you won’t wait longer than a couple of minutes even during peak hours. Atop, you will have a great combination of blue and red slopes at your disposal. The well-paved slopes are nice and wide and even longer than you might expect.
The two-person double chair is painstakingly slow but gets you close to the resort’s highest ascents. You can get off at the Cupovi station and take one of the slopes from there, or, take another lift to Kljuc – the highest peak which lies at an altitude of 1,973 meters.
If you have little patience, the 20-minute ride will wreck your nerves for sure. Nevertheless, taking the lift is definitely worth it – the view from atop is truly breathtaking. Note however that the slopes are directed towards backcountry adventurers and free riders and are not regularly maintained.
Ski Pass Kolasin 1450
Starting with the skiing season of 2022, the ski resorts of Kolasin 1450 and Kolasin 1600 have been merged into a larger ski center. You cannot buy ski passes for each resort separate anymore. Please see the table below for detailed pricing information.
Kolasin 1600
Kolasin 1600 is not a big ski resort, at least compared to more mature alpine resorts. It is named after the altitude of its base station from where the newfangled Doppekmayr six-seater cable car takes you up to the final stop, 2,035 meters above sea level.
From atop, you can either follow the Vranjak, a red slope extending over 1,750 meters, or the Jagancar which is characterized as a blue slope and measures 2,800 meters. Small skiers are served by their child-friendly ski lifts.
For maximum comfort, your seats will be heated on the way up, and you will be able to connect to wireless internet, too. The new K7 cable car line connects the slopes of the Kolasin 1450 with the Kolasin 1600 ski center, resulting in more than 45 kilometers of pistes.
But that is just the beginning, should government plans be realized, the slopes of Kolasin’s ski resorts will measure more than 250 kilometers combined. Work on the ten or so alpine-style hotels is in full swing and the first residences will welcome their first guests as early as 2025.
But even in its current form, Kolasin 1600 is a decent resort, featuring neatly-prepared pistes for skiers of all skill levels. From Monday to Friday, you will have the wide slopes almost entirely for yourself while it can get crowded on weekends.
Tip: Arrive early on Saturdays and Sundays, preferably at 8 or 9 am to avoid getting stuck in traffic, there is only one parking lot which seems disorganized at times.
Kolasin, the resort town itself is charming enough and has a good selection of hotels, bars, and restaurants. It is about 10 kilometers away from the ski center. Should you arrive by car, expect to pay 4€ per day for parking.
Restaurant Troglava
Currently, there is only one restaurant serving hungry and thirsty swarms of skiers, meaning it can become very crowded and hard to find a table during rush hours. On a positive note, the food – which is not cheap by local standards – is authentic Montenegrin mountain fare, rich in calories and flavor.
The portion sizes are large enough to power you for a long day on the slopes. Make sure to taste Kolasin’s National Dish – Kacamak, a Montenegrin porridge laced with layered cheese and Kajmak.
In Summer
If you visit in summer, there is no reason why you should not pay the 6,50€ ticket for the cable car that takes you all the way up to the Troglava Peak at an altitude of 2,035 meters. From there, it’s a short walk to the Katun Vranjak which opens up phenomenal views of the Biogradska Gora National Park and Prokletije.
Unfortunately, there is no bar or restaurant up there. Would be an ideal location to enjoy a coffee or ice-cold beer.
Hotels and Chalets
Unfortunately, there are currently no hotels or apartments in vicinity of the ski resort. You only options are to book accommodation in nearby Kolasin which is 10 kilometers away from the resort. Free transportation is available for visitors of the resort.
Bianca Resort & Spa
The Bianca Resort & Spa (formerly: Hotel Bjelasica) is one Kolasin’s most notable landmarks, designed by the Yugoslav-era architect Radosav Zekovic. It has been undergoing extensive renovation works in 2005. The rooms are spacious enough but could use some overhauling.
The Hotel Bianca sits on a 60-acre lot right at Kolasin’s central town square with a large pine forest to the other side. All rooms feature gorgeous views of the surrounding Mount Bjelasica. The hotel comes with a large indoor swimming pool and a contemporary SPA center.
Info: Do not book this hotel in summer. Not all rooms have air conditioning – they can become observantly stuffy and hot.
Room Rates: from 110€ for a standard double room
Dream House
We must admit, they could have been a little bit more creative with finding a name for this cute 15-room-counting boutique hotel. But then, comparing to its immediate neighborhood, the Dream House stands out as a contemporary structure with beautiful wood and stone accents.
The staff is exceptionally friendly and welcomes you with a shot of local homebrew which is admittedly a nice guest, even if you have to courtly say ‘No’ because it is still too early in the day.
The overall theme in the hotel is nice with lots of stone and wooden elements, even in the excellent SPA center. What is though worthy of criticism is the below-average room size and that they do not serve a breakfast buffet – you can only choose one dish a la carte.
Room Rates: 55€ – 180€ – depending on season
