Many people are completely unaware that it is possible to ski in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fewer are aware that the slopes are just a short drive from Sarajevo and offer some decent quality pistes. Infact, Sarajevo hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics, something the city is very proud of. The closest resorts to the city are Jahorina, Bjelašnica, and Ravna Planina, and so this is where we focus below. The first two of these resorts also happen to be the largest in the country, offering the most kilometres of slope.
If you are used to skiing in the EU or in the USA, then skiing in Bosnia and Herzegovina will seem miraculously cheap to you. This is especially true at some of the smaller resorts such as Ravna Planina (though, the offerings at these smaller resorts are very limited).
On the flip side of the price, while the mountains are beatiful and the skiing is great, the season is relatively short (due to the low altitude), starting in earnerst in January, the facilities are not the finest, the slopes can be foggy (especially in Jahorina), and the resorts are not vast in size.
Jahorina
One of the ski lifts at Jahorina in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Jahorina is the largest ski resort in the country and offers approximately 25 kilometres of ski slopes, served by eight lifts. They have green, blue, red, and black slopes, catering to all abilities. The highest point is 1,916 meters. This resort has artificial snow machines on some of the bigger slopes, making the skiing a bit more reliable during times of limited snowfall. In general it seems to be the ski resort with the most investment. They even offer night skiing.
There is a small yet very decent offering of accommodation, bars, and restaurants at this resort. You won't find big apres ski parties, but you will find a bar and a cosy fire place. If you really want a night out, you can anyway head into Sarajevo and hit a club there (but do read our post on the climate in Sarajevo and the possible pollution there). There are a selection of rental shops where you can pick up skis, boots, snow boards, and helmets (though you might have to ask for the latter).
You can take a look at the Jahorina trail map here. In my opinion, slope 6 is easily the best and many don't head to that side of the resort, so you sometimes be sharing the slope with just a few others.
Jahorina details
Eight ski lifts
25 kilmetres of slopes
Highest point: 1,916 metres
Peak season, one-day, adult ski pass is about 15 Euros
About a 1 hour and 15 minute drive from the centre of Sarajevo
Bjelašnica offers the highest altitude skiing in Bosnia and Herzegovina - though, just to a maximmum altitude of 2,067 metres. This resort is smaller than Jahorina, offering about half the kilmoetres of slope (12.5 km) served by three lifts, but it is closer to the city and some skiers from Sarajevo will tell you it's "tougher skiing" - not really sure that this is true.
The resort is generally a bit less well developed that Jahorina, something which is also reflected by their lack of obvious online presence. Bjelašnica does offer night skiing.
Bjelašnica details
Three ski lifts
About 12 kilmetres of slopes
Highest point: 2,067 metres
Peak season, one-day, adult ski pass is about 12 Euros
About a 45 minute drive from the centre of Sarajevo
This really is a very small ski resort. At the same time, it is also very close to Sarajevo and very cheap. If you are looking to ski for a couple of hours only, this place is very convenient.
The resort is essentially one straight slope with some other pistes which zig zag along next to it and occassionally meander across it. There is one rental shop, one bar/restuarant, and a car park.
As I understand, there are plans underway to further develop the location and to connect it to Jahorina, which would be a game changer. You can see more on this on the Ravna Planina website.
Ravna Planina details
Two lifts
12 Kilometres of slopes (I don't believe this figure)
Highest point: 1,281 metres
Peak season, one-day, adult ski pass is about 12 Euros
About a 40 minute drive from the centre of Sarajevo
