Carpathian mountains ski resorts Romania

Useful info on Carpathian Mountains:

• www.brasovtravelguide.ro
• ww.romanianmonasteries.org
• Great photos from alpinet.org

The Carpathian Mountains are the eastern wing of the great Central Mountain System of Europe, curving 1500 km (~900 miles) along the borders of Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro and northern Hungary.

The Carpathians are one of the most evoking symbols of Romania, covering about one third of its area.
The mountain chain is 1000 km long and resembles a vast amphitheatre with the Transylvanianplateau at its center.
The geography and the history of the Carpathians merge so profoundly with those of Romania that the universal frame of Romanian people's myths is the pastoral universe of the Carpathians pastures.
The diversity of the Carpathians landscapes is related to the variety of geological structures. Gentle slopes alternate with limestone cliffs and basalt structures. Thousands of glacial lakes and circuses, caves, some of them unique, find their places, mostly in the Western and Southern Carpathians.
The tourist activities practiced in the Carpathians, especially skiing, hiking, mountain climbing and bathing in thermal waters, let you discover the beauties of mountain landscapes that present-day civilization has not distorted.

photo: Andy Ostafi - from http://www.galeriafoto.com/

Carpathian Mountains Resorts

The Romanian Carpathians are beautiful and equally spectacular mountains. The Carpathians are divided into three groups: Eastern Carpathians, Southern Carpathians and Western Carpathians The highest peaks are in the Southern Carpathians - Moldoveanu (2544 m/8,346 feet) and Negoiu (2535 m/8,316 feet).
The pure air and the breathtaking landscapes attract in Romania thousands of tourists every year for skiing and hiking. The mountain resorts along the mountain chain that crosses Romania from the north to south, offer their guests excellent facilities for recreation in the summer and winter.
There are opportunities for hiking, caving, nature observing or skiing on well-marked slopes.
The Prahova Valley (which has more than 7000 accommodation places): Sinaia, Busteni, Predeal and the Brasov County is the main touristy axis of the Romania.
The resorts and Poiana Brasov are a permanent invitation. Here, you can find not only one of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in Romania, but also a great number of hotels, coquettish villas, chalets and restaurants as well as numerous entertainment possibilities.


SINAIA
125 km from Bucharest, 44 km from Brasov, on the Prahova Valley, at an altitude of 860 m, at the foot of the Bucegi massif, with peaks of over 2000 m, covered with pine trees forests.
Mild climate: average yearly temperature 5.5-6.5 Celsius degrees.
Excellent choice for summer and winter holidays, the resort offers mountain characteristics and natural elements favourable to the health and body condition. Winter (ski, sleigh, bob-sleigh) and summer sports (fishing, hiking, climbing, tennis, swimming).
Sinaia, also called "The Pearl of the Carpathians" lies on the bottom of the Furnica mountain (m 800-1000), located at about 120 km North from Bucharest.
Well known since the 17th century for its therapeutic qualities of its highly ionized, ozone-rich air, the resort was chosen by King Carol I as the summer residence of the royal family. Surrounded by a splendid panorama, Sinaia preserved its charm from ancient times.

Tourists objectives:
Sinaia Monastery, established in 1695, the Royal Park and the Peles Castle, (a real architectural jewel) built between 1875 and 1883 by King Carol I, avail themselves for easy access.
Casino of Sinaia along with Sinaia hotels offer comfort, elegance and good quality services.
Trips: m 1,400 altitude, Virful cu Dor - m 2,000 altitude, Cuibul Dorului - m 1,200 , Padina - m 1,525, Piatra Arsa - m 1,950, Pestera - m 1,600, Piscul Ciinelui - m 950, etc.).


BUSTENI
Busteni, located on the bottom of the Caraiman massif, offers a healthy ozone-rich environment and a favorable climate, especially recommended for the treatment of asthenia and stress.
On top of the Caraiman Massif, at 2,484 m altitude, there stands the famous Hero's Cross monument (a 40 m high cross, made of steel), build between 1926- 1928, in honor of the country's heroes who lost their lives during the First World War.
Busteni also has "Babele" and "Sphinx" (m 2290) - wind-modeled stone shapes in the Bucegi Massif, accessible throw cable-car and the highest peak of the Bucegi Mountains, Omu (m 2505).
The second cable-car, from the top of Caraiman Mountain, links Busteni with Pestera hotel and the unique Monastery in the cave. The ski season lasts from November until March.


PREDEAL
Predeal is located 16 km far from Sinaia, at an altitude 1,040 m, the highest altitude town in the country.
Predeal, which boasts the highest altitude of any resort in Romania (1160 m), nestles between the Bucegi and the Baiu Mountains, on the watershed of the Prahova and Timis valleys.
All-season holiday resort of national importance, Predeal has summer average temperature 16°C and winter average temperature 1°C.
The snow blanket lasts from late November to early March. The clean air, rich in ozone and the relatively low pressure are the main cure factors recommended in the treatment of physical and intellectual overexertion, weakly conditions and certain endocrine disorders.
Predeal is starting point for hiking along marked trails to chalets scattered throughout the Bucegi Mountains: Trei Brazi, Cioplea, Susai, Garbova and Paraul Rece.
The various ski slopes runs (Clabucet - lighted at night, Teleschi, Cioplea) have chair-lift and ski lift.
Predeal has ski schools having highly qualified ski trainers speaking English, German and French.


POIANA BRASOV
Poiana Brasov, a well-known winter sports center, is located just 13 km from Brasov where lies at the foot of Mount Postavarul, at an altitude of 1030 m.
It is one of the most frequented mountain resort in Romania, largely because of its modern sports infrastructure, including artificial skating ring, riding center, two 80 m high ski-jumps, and 12 downhill and slalom courses - one of them with artificial snow.
Chair lifts and drags offer a fast, efficient connection between the resort and Postavaru Chalet (1602 m), situated amidst magnificent natural surrounding.
Poiana Brasov has a selection of comfortable hotels and several rustic style villas. Their restaurants offer a varied assortment of traditional cuisine in addition to folklore shows.
Romanian traditional cuisine at typical restaurants: Coliba Haiducilor, Sura Dacilor, Vanatorul, Miorita, Stana Turistica.
Sites to visit: Bran (Dracula's) Castle, "green tourism" zone of Moeciu, the city of Brasov, the peasants fortresses in Harman, Prejmer and Rupea, the medieval citadel of Sighisoara.


STANA DE VALE
Stana de Vale (situated at 1102 m. altitude) is one of the most pleasant resorts in the country and at the same time an important tourism centre, a departure point for the roads that lead to the heart of the Apuseni Mountains.

Access Ways:
DN76 Oradea -Beius - Stana de Vale (86km ); by train to Beius and from here by bus (24km).
The depressional aspect of the resort is a condition for the accumulation of an important amount of snow during winter. The snow layer, being sometimes higher than 2 m, lasts until the midst of April and changes the resort into a favourable place for practicing ski.

Ski tracks:
The main track "The Donkey" (baby ski lift) and the secondary ones without ski lift: Nina, Mariana, Mosului. stana de vale landscapestana de vale landscape.

Acommodation:
At present, the tourists can find accommodation at "Iadolina" hotel (104 places in rooms of 2 or 4 beds, restaurant, a day bar) or at Romsilva, Gaudeamus, Sinteza Meteo, Militara, Roods or IREC chalets, belonging to various firms or commercial companies. During summer time (from June to September), a 69 places camping is open (22 little houses each of them having 2 to 4 places , electric light, sanitation, places for food preparation and spaces for trailers and tents).
Stana de vale all-season health and holiday resort (actually, a montane turistic complex), situated in west part of Romania (Bihor county), SE of the municipality of Oradea (seat of Bihor county). Abundant precipitation (over 1,200 mm annually) and heavy snowfalls in winter (snow layers up to 90 cm).

Touristic attraction:
Waterfalls (Saritoarea Iedutului, Iadolina, Moara Dracului), caves (Onceasa, Cetatea Radesei, Sura Boghii, Focul Viu), the karst complex of Cetatile Ponorului(potholes, caves, lakes, etc), the Padis chalet (elevation 1,280 m). Trout fishing. In winter skiing on natural rus. Ropeway(650m in length).