The legends north macedonia cat-skiing trip

Welcome to the North Macedonia Ski Trip for the 2025 season! For a number of years our Powder Mad members have had an unforgettable experience, carving through the breathtaking terrain along the North Macedonia border.

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Our passion for North Macedonia and its exceptional cat-skiing opportunities knows no bounds. Our trusted partners and friends at Shar Outdoors in Popova Shapka guarantee an extraordinary week, complete with three top-notch Snow Cat and expert guidance. Prepare for another week filled with adventure and plenty of whoops!

Together with Metodi, we’ve crafted an unparalleled itinerary for the week, and as always, everything is covered in the package price except for alcoholic beverages. Get ready for an exhilarating journey on the slopes!

"Cat-skiing in North Macedonia is a hidden gem—endless powder, untouched terrain, and a true adventure off the beaten path."

Jem Rose

Powder Mad Founder

Ski and Board Ability

You will need to be at Level 4 or higher. North Macedonia is the perfect location to progress your ski or board journey in off-piste conditions. There are a number of descent options from more mellow tree skiing to steeper fall lines. Most descent are from 20 -35 degrees the ability of the group will determine the terrain skied. Please check your level in the link below.

Learn more about ski ability

Terrain and Location

The terrain offers a diverse blend of tree skiing, high Alpine bowls, and challenging couloirs. With an expansive area at our disposal, we can tailor each day’s skiing to suit the prevailing conditions and recent weather trends. Anticipate generously spaced trees at lower altitudes and exhilarating deep powder bowls with steeper conditions at higher elevations. This variety ensures an exciting mix, and the highly qualified guides, with years of exploration in the region, are adept at leading us to the finest spots on a daily basis.

Typical day

07:30 – Hearty Breakfast with daily briefing.
9.00 – Meet outside the hotel and depart with the Snow Cat
9:30 – First runs- get those legs going!
Between 11:30 – 12:30 – Lunch in the forest or other options depending on preference of the group
12.30 Skiing , skiing and skiing – average of 3000m vertical on the day
16:00 – End of skiing (variable time depending on daylight and strength of the group)
16:30 – Short debriefing and outlook of the next day with a well-earned beers !
19:00 – Dinner and Après

Snow cat

In recent years, North Macedonia has witnessed the burgeoning popularity of snow-cat skiing, primarily attributed to the convenience offered by snow-cat machines in accessing higher peaks. Unlike the frequently congested renowned ski resorts found throughout Europe, exploring the slopes in Macedonia presents an entirely distinctive adventure, largely due to the secluded character of the region.

Hotel scardus

Hotel Scardus, situated in the heart of Popova Shapka, is a four-star hotel. Its amenities include an Apres/night bar, a restaurant, a ski locker room, a laundry facility, and a comprehensive SPA center featuring a Jacuzzi, two swimming pools, two saunas, a Turkish bath, and a well-equipped fitness facility. Guests can indulge in a rejuvenating massage at exceptionally affordable rates to soothe any post-mountain adventure soreness. The hotel also provides Wi-Fi access throughout all areas. The restaurant offers a diverse menu of high-quality international cuisine in a serene and aesthetically pleasing environment.

Getting there

Skopje boasts a international airport with connections available from all corners of the globe. European and British travelers can take advantage of budget-friendly flights provided by Wizzair, with frequent routes to Skopje from major hubs like Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Berlin, Memmingen, Dortmund, London, Paris, Bratislava, and numerous others. Additionally, Turkish Airlines offers a range of options. Following your arrival, a swift transfer of no more than 1.5 hours will swiftly bring you to the hotel.

Safety in the mountains

The guides are extensively trained and possess an intimate knowledge of these mountains. While mountain terrain inherently carries risks, they meticulously consider all aspects of conditions and weather to prioritize safety. Additionally, we provide all necessary safety equipment and conduct a comprehensive refresher course on its proper usage on arrival . Daily bag checks, including beacon testing, are standard practice. Every member of the group must have off-piste insurance, which we can assist in arranging through our partners at the Austrian ski club.

Let's ride powder!

On a bluebird day there are few restrictions, and you can ski/ride everywhere the ski guides consider safe finding the very best snow. Descents usually range from 500 meters to 850 meters per run. When the weather turns unfavourable (with limited visibility), we stick to lower elevations for some extraordinary forest skiing. Here, the powder remains sheltered from the wind, and the trees serve as a guide amidst the flat light. A usual day entails conquering 3000 to 4,000 meters of vertical terrain. Unlike heli-skiing, days with restricted activity due to weather are extremely rare.

Your guides and hosts

Jem Rose

Jem is the original founding member of Powder Mad, a skier whose passion for the sport and love of globe trotting adventures has shaped an incredible journey.

Gillie Revill

Gillie has been skiing since the days of leather boots with laces and un-groomed pistes. Over the years, she has chased powder in Utah, Fernie, Banff, and Silverton in Colorado

Jamie Barrow

Jamie Barrow is the World’s Fastest Snowboarder, a 4x Guinness World Record holder, and a former Team GB snowboarder.

Warwick Pickering

Warwick is a certified mountain professional and trained first aider, armed with extensive expertise in avalanche protocol and snow science.

TRIP SUMMARY

Level

Experienced freeride skiers/boarders.

Group

12 people max per group

Dates

From Jan to March - please enquire

Price

Members from €1,950

What's included

Accommodation

Full Board accommodation

Transport

Transfer from Skopje (SKP)

Guides

Two English speaking guides

Cat-skiing

Cat-skiing for 5 Days

Logistics and safety

Safety equipment (Beacon, Probe and Shovel ABS)

What's not included

Flights

Travel and ski insurance

Ski and snowboard equipment

Single room supplement

Lunch or drinks

Common questions

What am I required to bring?

The temperatures can drop dramatically in any mountain environment, as such you will require good technical warm and fully water proof gear. A full kit reminder list will be sent to you during the booking process.