By Kristof Kocs
If you are looking for a fun winter sports resort, offering a unique mountainous experience, with slopes for all skill levels and guaranteed fresh snow even in the early spring months, then the ski paradise of Tatranská Lomnica is the ideal destination for you. Located in northern Slovakia, on the slopes of the High Tatras (Vysoké Tatry in Slovakian), this place covers a stunning area of 11.8 km of slopes for both professional and amateur winter sports enthusiasts.
Tatranská Lomnica has something for everyone, from downhill skiing to snowboarding and sledging: a great selection of technical and advanced slopes, as well as a beginners’ area, a snow park for children, ski runs, and après ski options, making it a popular destination for all types of winter sports.Moreover, the slopes of varying difficulty, are neatly separated here, so it is impossible for a beginner to accidentally end up on a steep run.In fact, the lower section between the village and the “Start” station is ideal for beginners, while the area above it, is well-suited for more experienced skiers, with the topmost section being an extremely steep, black-marked route, only recommended for professionals. In recent years, significant infrastructure improvements have been performed in Tatranská Lomnica, such as the renovation of the ski lifts and parking lots, the modernization of restaurants and service buildings, and the development of new slopes, while extending the existing ones.As a result, the resort now has an upgraded snowmaking system, allowing skiers to enjoy the slopes even when natural snow is scarce – extending the skiing season until late April.
Tatranská Lomnica also boasts the highest amount of skiable height difference in Slovakia, possibly even in Europe, with the highest skiable point at 2190 meters, from which one may slide down to 900 meters, where the village is located. The Lomnický štít peak (2,634 m), the second highest point not only in Slovakia but in the entire Carpathians, can only be reached by a small cable car from the Skalnaté Pleso station at 1,751 m. Nevertheless, usage of this lift is not included in the ski pass, so passengers must pay an additional price and are limited to staying at the peak for 50 minutes, from where in clear weather, they can see the peaks of the Polish Tatras, the Low Tatras, or even the Hungarian Mátra and Bükk.Adults pay roughly €45 for a one-day ski pass, but if you have an international student card (ISIC), you may save up to 20% and find additional discounts online.
And what could be more enjoyable after a long day of sports, than not having to walk for hours to the hotel, but instead being able to ski down to its entrance? The three-star Hotel Sorea Urán, which has been awarded the Certificate “Child-friendly and family-friendly facility,” is not only a popular piste accommodation, but also a lovely leisure spot with its own wellness facility, exquisite catering services, and much more. The modest, but attractive and comfortably decorated rooms, have a bathroom with free toiletries and are equipped with a flat-screen television with multilingual satellite channels, a safe, a telephone, and free Wi-Fi access.The rooms also provide a stunning view of the neighboring mountain ranges and a peaceful, quaint village, which you can enjoy while relaxing on the balcony with a hot drink. The pet-friendly hotel also includes a barrier-free entry, two disabled rooms, free parking in front of the eclectic, socialist realist style building.
The hotel’s most distinctive feature, however, is its wellness section, known as Wellness Urania, which is open all year and provides true relaxation and rejuvenation for guests of all ages. The facility includes two children’s pools and a stainless steel relaxation pool with state-of-the-art UV water treatment technology and several water attractions such as a climbing net, swinging bay, water gargoyles, massaging jets, and a water pearl. Swimming or enjoying the hot water after a hard day of muscle-straining activities, is a great way to relax, not to mention, enjoying the Finnish sauna and steam sauna and the many massage services offered.
However, it is important to note that the hotel price does not include entrance fee to the wellness area or usage of the other services. Also, if you did not bring your own hairdryer, for example, you may rent one from the reception, but unfortunately that is not included in the price. Neither is it free, to use the popular pool table in the lobby, which costs 50 cents per minute. As much as it feels ridiculous and somewhat deceptive, it appears that Slovaks are already accustomed to such expensive hospitality, based on the reaction of domestic tourists to the unusual added costs. The hotel’s prices have dropped for the late spring season, with single rooms now available for €65.00 per night and double rooms starting at €90.00 per night. The majority of the online offerings (for example, Booking.com) include half-board meals, however, the breakfast and the à la carte dinner – both served in a buffet style with a selection of hot and cold dishes – can also be booked separately.
But who says that you can only come here during the winter? Tatranská Lomnica is a lively mountain resort in the summer too, with several hiking trails and outdoor adventures awaiting travelers. For instance, night hiking is available to the brilliantly glowing Skalnaté Pleso, a postglacial lake at 1751 meters, and is an excellent site for stargazing.Another option is to visit the city of Poprad, which is only 18 kilometers (20 minutes by car) from Tatranská Lomnica. The picturesque historic town welcomes all guests with its various attractions and leisure alternatives, including the region’s largest water park, AquaCity Poprad. Slovakia is also known for its magnificent medieval castles, so if you’re interested in history and/or architecture, you may also visit some of the surrounding castles.
There is only one question left: how can you travel to Tatranská Lomnica? The good news is that there are numerous options available. The nearest airport is the Poprad-Tatry International Airport, which has direct international flights from London-Luton on WizzAir. However, if you are to arrive from Budapest, the fastest and most convenient mode of transportation is by car, in 3 and a half hours from the direction of Miskolc-Kosice on the highway, or in 4 and a half hours from the direction of Salgótarján, on the spectacularly forested serpentine road.Another option is to take a train, which can take you there in around 6 hours, with only two transfers from Budapest-Keleti Railway Station. What are you waiting for? Let’s go pack, Tatranská Lomnica is waiting for you.
