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Catski Freeride in the Balkans in Macedonia!

In the early ’90s, a group of high school kids explored the vast ล ar Mountains in search of deep snow adventures. During one such adventure, they ventured into an unexplored part of the mountain and had to build an igloo to spend the night.

Fifteen years later, this experience inspired them to start the first snowcat operation in Europe, naming it โ€œEskimo.โ€ Since 2008, freeriders from around the world have come to enjoy the freeriding, culture, and gastronomy of Macedonia.

Mountains & Terrain

Eskimo Freeride is based in the Balkans, near the major North Macedonia ski destination of Popova Sapka.

Here, you can enjoy Catski freeriding on some of Europe’s finest mountains. Eskimo Freeride will take you to the peaks of exotic ranges with breathtaking scenery, allowing you to ride an average of over 4,000 vertical meters per day. Terrain options are available for every type of snow and avalanche risk condition. The area offers a wide variety of landscapes, including wide-open terrains, tree runs, couloirs, cliffs, banks, and natural pipe canyons, covering a total of 32 square kilometres.

Whether you seek adrenaline-pumping rides down 50ยฐ slopes or prefer the safer, fluffy 30ยฐ runs, you’ll have an amazing experience. Whether you’re a pro or just handling intermediate resort slopes, the Catski Freeride in the Balkans in Macedonia offers options for all tastes!

The Package

With cosy mountain accommodations, delicious food and excellent services included, Eskimo Freeride offers complete affordable packages. Upon arrival, you will sign waivers, attend safety briefings, and participate in transceiver training to get ready to start your Catski experience on the following day!

Eskimo adheres to the high standards and procedures of the HeliCat Canada Association. The guides are professionals and experts in the local terrain and snow conditions. They excel at finding the best skiing opportunities, no matter the weather conditions.

The snowcats are modified grooming machines with special passenger cabins designed specifically for freeriding. They operate almost every day, allowing you to enjoy tree runs when higher elevation weather is challenging!

Why We Love Eskimo Freeride

The finest Catski Freeride operator in the Balkans in Macedonia!

Professional Guides that get you to the best powder no matter the weather forecast!

Macedonian unique cultural experience!

Ready to Heliski in Macedonia?

Lodging

The operation is headquartered at Hotel Arena Tetaks, offering a convenient base for all guests. The hotel is clean and functional, featuring an excellent pool and spa area with a jacuzzi and sauna. Last night you will be accommodated in one of the best 5-star hotels in an old bazaar in Skopje, in order to take your international flight on the morning after.

Meals, especially dinner, are a highlight in North Macedonia. Guests can enjoy a diverse selection of traditional local vegetarian and meat-based dishes that will delight the palate. Local wines and beers are the perfect accompaniment, and you should also try the local rakija (grappa). Breakfast includes a broad buffet of both โ€˜westernโ€™ and local options, along with freshly prepared eggs and omelettes from the kitchen. Lunches are served in the mountains and vary depending on the day’s location. They can be picnic-style in a sheltered spot or in one of Eskimoโ€™s mountain huts.

Getting There

Popova Sapka is located in the Shar Mountains in the northwest region of North Macedonia (formerly known as FYROM โ€“ the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). It is 21 km west of Tetovo city and 70 km west of the capital, Skopje.

Skopje Alexander the Great Airport is 95 km from the mountain hotel. Wizz Air has many direct flights from Europe, England, Scandinavia, Dubai and Doha. Alternatively, you can fly to Pristina Airport, a 150 km drive away.

Eskimo Freeride organises direct private transfers from the airport by taxi or van. Get ready to Catski Freeride in the Balkans in Macedonia!

Interested in Heliskiing in Macedonia?

You might also like

Catski Freeride in the Balkans in Macedonia!

In the early ’90s, a group of high school kids explored the vast ล ar Mountains in search of deep snow adventures. During one such adventure, they ventured into an unexplored part of the mountain and had to build an igloo to spend the night.

Fifteen years later, this experience inspired them to start the first snowcat operation in Europe, naming it โ€œEskimo.โ€ Since 2008, freeriders from around the world have come to enjoy the freeriding, culture, and gastronomy of Macedonia.

Mountains & Terrain

Eskimo Freeride is based in the Balkans, near the major North Macedonia ski destination of Popova Sapka.

Here, you can enjoy Catski freeriding on some of Europe’s finest mountains. Eskimo Freeride will take you to the peaks of exotic ranges with breathtaking scenery, allowing you to ride an average of over 4,000 vertical meters per day. Terrain options are available for every type of snow and avalanche risk condition. The area offers a wide variety of landscapes, including wide-open terrains, tree runs, couloirs, cliffs, banks, and natural pipe canyons, covering a total of 32 square kilometres.

Whether you seek adrenaline-pumping rides down 50ยฐ slopes or prefer the safer, fluffy 30ยฐ runs, you’ll have an amazing experience. Whether you’re a pro or just handling intermediate resort slopes, the Catski Freeride in the Balkans in Macedonia offers options for all tastes!

The Package

With cosy mountain accommodations, delicious food and excellent services included, Eskimo Freeride offers complete affordable packages. Upon arrival, you will sign waivers, attend safety briefings, and participate in transceiver training to get ready to start your Catski experience on the following day!

Eskimo adheres to the high standards and procedures of the HeliCat Canada Association. The guides are professionals and experts in the local terrain and snow conditions. They excel at finding the best skiing opportunities, no matter the weather conditions.

The snowcats are modified grooming machines with special passenger cabins designed specifically for freeriding. They operate almost every day, allowing you to enjoy tree runs when higher elevation weather is challenging!

Why We Love Eskimo Freeride

The finest Catski Freeride operator in the Balkans in Macedonia!

Professional Guides that get you to the best powder no matter the weather forecast!

Macedonian unique cultural experience!

Ready to Heliski in Macedonia?

Lodging

The operation is headquartered at Hotel Arena Tetaks, offering a convenient base for all guests. The hotel is clean and functional, featuring an excellent pool and spa area with a jacuzzi and sauna. Last night you will be accommodated in one of the best 5-star hotels in an old bazaar in Skopje, in order to take your international flight on the morning after.

Meals, especially dinner, are a highlight in North Macedonia. Guests can enjoy a diverse selection of traditional local vegetarian and meat-based dishes that will delight the palate. Local wines and beers are the perfect accompaniment, and you should also try the local rakija (grappa). Breakfast includes a broad buffet of both โ€˜westernโ€™ and local options, along with freshly prepared eggs and omelettes from the kitchen. Lunches are served in the mountains and vary depending on the day’s location. They can be picnic-style in a sheltered spot or in one of Eskimoโ€™s mountain huts.

Getting There

Popova Sapka is located in the Shar Mountains in the northwest region of North Macedonia (formerly known as FYROM โ€“ the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). It is 21 km west of Tetovo city and 70 km west of the capital, Skopje.

Skopje Alexander the Great Airport is 95 km from the mountain hotel. Wizz Air has many direct flights from Europe, England, Scandinavia, Dubai and Doha. Alternatively, you can fly to Pristina Airport, a 150 km drive away.

Eskimo Freeride organises direct private transfers from the airport by taxi or van. Get ready to Catski Freeride in the Balkans in Macedonia!

Interested in Heliskiing in Macedonia?

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Customer Reviews

AWAVE Travel

Customer Reviews

Jose Luis Villalon 07/10/2024

TrustPilot
Great experience! Great communication throughout the entire process. A knowledgeable team giving advice considering individual needs and a great result at the end. It was a seamless experience and I will use them again for my next travel!

Stella 02/07/2024

TrustPilot
AWAVE Travel exceeded all my expectations! From the seamless booking process. The team was incredibly attentive and made sure every detail of our trip was taken care of. I can't wait t book my next adventure with them!

Xabi Fernandez 09/08/2024

TrustPilot
I stayed at Seasons Paradise 10 days in Maldives. Talked with Carlotta from Awave, it was really helpful every time! The destination was perfect, about to repeat! Good price ratings and perfect service both Awave and Seasons.

Christopher Tabone 03/09/2024

TrustPilot
My wife and I booked an 8 day surf charter on the Gahaa with a dedicated surf guide Moussa who was worth his weight in gold knowing what breaks would be firing and his knowledge of marine life and Maldivian environment enlightening for my wife and I. From the initial booking and contact Guilia at AWAVE made the whole process seamless communication was excellent. I have traveled extensively and surfed many parts of the world this trip truly exceeded my expectations the crew were incredible taking us to excellent surf and snorkeling locations. The boat itself is a converted fishing Dohni that exudes old world charm is clean and meticulously cared for. The meals prepared for us were nothing short of exceptional excellent variety and plenty of it a mix of western and Maldivian fare. We are definitely coming back and certainly using AWAVE again! Thank you Giulia and Moussa our trusted surf guide who gave us incredible insights into Maldivian culture.

Marco 02/08/2024

TrustPilot
Absolutely Recommended. Giulia and James are top professionals: I will be using Awave for all my future surf trips. I have been surfing for 30 years and travelled the world so I have dealt with a lot of agents. Awave is in the top spot as far as I am concerned. I spent 10 days with them on a boat trip in Maldivesโ€™ central atolls: not only their recommendations were spot on but being a boutique agency they tailor the surf experience to the very specific needs. They are surfers (real chargers) and know personally each spot and surf operator they recommend (wtether it is a guest house or a resort or a boat).

Michael Dunn 26/09/2024

TrustPilot
Absolutely amazing 8 day trip with my wife to Maldives visiting Club Med Kani. Carlotta at Awave travel was outstanding in organising everything and getting us the best deal,we are already looking at next year returning and will be sure to be booking with Carlotta and Awave again! Club Med Kani is outstanding for everything, Surf spot in island is Ninjas,easy paddle from shore! Food,drinks,staff,surf guides,brilliant!!! Accommodation excellent!! Tons of activities on island to enjoy, not just the surf!! Sailing, snorkelling, paddle boards, just to name some! Staff on the island added some very special touches to help us celebrate wedding anniversary also! Only regret was not staying 2 weeks!

Bruno 07/10/2024

TrustPilot
Great experience from start to finish. Giulia was awesome and helpful. I strongly recommend this travel agency.

Lissette De Boer 30/06/24

Google
Giulia was incredibly helpful in booking our surf trip! Strongly recommend using AWAVE for any surf packages. We will definitely be contacting her again. Thank you!

Fabs Alegria 19/05/24

TrustPilot
Trip of a lifetime. First and foremost I'd like to thank James Colston from Awave Travel, for assisting me in every which way to help book one of the most memorable experiences I've had in my life. He was extremely responsive and answered every single question I had, even the dumb ones haha. As for AYADA, holy dooly, that place is paradise! Absolutely breathtaking, I couldn't believe I was actually walking around such a beautiful island! Big love to the staff at Magu Restaurant, seeing as how I ate there pretty much everyday, they were amazing! Very switched on and quick off the mark to help with anything that was needed. A special mention to Dhaboa and the captain who took me out surfing! I cannot speak highly enough about their friendly, helpful and straight up on point expertise. With Dhaboa picking the spots to surf and tips on where to sit to catch the best waves on the day, to the wonderful captain himself, filming and sending me videos of the waves I caught.
Absolute legends! Made my surf trip! Best holiday I've ever been on to this date.

Carlos 30/06/24

TrustPilot
Reliable travel agency to book a surf trip - Both Giulia and James were very reactive and adivsed on the best options. In our case we made a boat trip in Maldives. It is the second time we use Awave Travel to do a surftrip to Maldives and we have had a very good experience in both cases. They are a reliable and trustworthy travel agency, I highly recommend them.
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