Guided Backcountry Cat Skiing in North Macedonia

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local skiing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 3 days (4 overnights), 4 days (5 overnights), 5 days (6 overnights), or 6 days (7 overnights) of cat skiing, depending on your chosen itinerary
    • Fullboard accommodation in a 4-star hotel (breakfast, lunch pack, dinner)
    • Safety equipment
    • Round-trip transfers from Skopje Airport to the ski resort (one transfer per direction for a group of minimum 6 people)

  What’s not included:

  • • Air transfers and flight tickets
    • Drinks
    • Single room supplements — can be booked optionally
    • Ski rental — let us know upon booking if you need to rent ski gear
    • Other personal costs
    • Single car transfers
    • Souvenirs or sightseeing tickets
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Travel and medical insurance — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  The best thing about backcountry cat skiing in North Macedonia is that there are incredible options for all skill levels. This adventure is available to all, but good fitness is expected and required. From wide open faces to narrow couloirs and natural pipes, the nature of the terrain gives maximum pleasure to both medium and high experience riders. You won’t have to climb too much because the snowcat will take care of all the heavy lifting.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the ski touring equipment you need to bring:

  • • Freeriding skis – can also be rented
    • Touring ski/snowboard boots – can also be rented
    • Collapsible touring poles – can also be rented

  Outerwear recommendations and backcountry essentials:

  • • Warm, sweat-wicking base layers
    • Midlayers
    • Waterproof ski pants
    • Waterproof ski jacket
    • Spare clothes
    • Gloves
    • Helmet
    • Goggles
    • Sunglasses
    • 25-35L backpack (large enough to carry all of your equipment)
    • Water bottle (thermos is best)
    • Snacks
    • Sunscreen

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this group adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:2.
    • It takes a minimum of 6 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 10 participants.
    • If you’re a group of less than 6 people, let us know. We’ll try to arrange a customized package for you!

  Cat skiing in North Macedonia can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join cat skiing in Macedonia on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your guided backcountry cat skiing in North Macedonia is Popova Shapka. To get there, most people fly into Skopje International Airport (SKP). From there, a transfer from Skopje Airport (one transfer per direction for a group) to the meeting point (ski resort Popova Shapka, about 40 minutes away) is included in the price.

  More information will be provided by the guides prior to your arrival.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

  Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits
  You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Cancellations
  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.