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Gliding, sliding and snowball fights – the joys of winter!

MátraszentistvánEger region

Strap on your skis or skates, race down the snowy slopes or glide on the ice rink, sit down for a hot drink in a hut or a bar: you can have experiences like this in more and more places thanks to the developments in Hungary. 

Although there are no really high mountains in Hungary, skiers, snowboarders, cross-country skiers and sledgers can indulge their passions on many a winter day – weather permitting – thanks to new snow cannon systems. 

 

Thanks to the snow cannons the Hungarian ski slopes in Eplény, Mátraszentistván, Sátoraljaújhely and Visegrád are usually open until early April. Normafa Park in Budapest also has a cross-country ski track with snow cannons. If the temperature drops below eight or nine degrees at night, these modern devices provide snow of adequate quality, but the real enemy of ski slopes is not the sun, but the rain, which can “eat up" the snow. Let's see where you can take to the hills, weather permitting! 

In the heart of Bakony

Eplény – Síaréna Vibe Park 

www.siarena.hu


Eplény has the largest and most modern ski centre in the country. It strives to operate year-round and welcomes skiers and snowboarders with 16 ski slopes, chairlifts, traction lifts, a slalom course and continuously updated places to eat and drink. The final weekend of the ski season is usually the start of the chairlift season, which lasts until November, meaning there are things to do all year round.

The most modern ski lift in the country

Mátraszentistván Ski Park

www.sipark.hu


Mátraszentistván is a real family ski resort with an alpine atmosphere and slopes of varying difficulty. It has a training park and you can also ski at night so beginners and advanced skiers alike can find something that suits them.

From bobsleigh to skates

Sátoraljaújhely – Zemplén Adventure Park

www.zemplenkalandpark.hu


On the snow cannon-lined slopes of the adventure park you can use three Tatrapoma ski lifts, one with a T-bar and two platter lifts as well as a 120-metre long and a 50-metre long Sunkid moving carpet. You can skate in the ice rink, and you can also try the bobsleigh track. 

 

With a view over the Danube

Visegrád – Nagyvillám

www.visegradsipalya.hu


Nagyvillám, which has four slopes of varying difficulty, is popular with skiers due to its proximity to Budapest and its beautiful location. The slope offers a beautiful view of the Visegrád Citadel and the Danube. The grass under the piste is carefully prepared for the season every year, so it can be skied on well even with little snow. It is perfect for learners as it has a gentle slope, but dynamic skiers also like it as it is wide enough for practice. Tubing, cross-country skiing and a sledge slope are also available here.

Ski slope in Budapest

Budapest – Normafa Park

www.normafapark.hu/sport/sieles

 

Normafa, located on Sváb Hill, is a favourite year-round hiking spot for the residents of Budapest. In 2022, the local Vasas Ski House was renovated, and below it, on Szaniszló-rét, a floodlit cross-country ski course with snow cannons and the nearby sledge track were completed. The latter can be used free of charge. There is also a artificial training slope and ski slope in the area.

Slopes that you can use in natural snow conditions:

Dobogókő
www.dobogokosi.hu

 

Bánkút
www.bankut.hu

 

Nagy-Hideg-hegy
www.nagyhideghegy.hu

 

Pécs
www.pecsisipalya.hu

 

Sopron – Vasfüggöny (Iron Curtain) Cross-Country Skiing Course
www.sopronnordic.hu

 

Szilvásvárad

 

Tokaj - Kopasz-hegy
www.tekeregj.hu/utvonal/tokaj-kopasz-hegy

Let the ice dance begin

You can ice skate in almost every major city in Hungary. The most beautiful rink in Budapest is undoubtedly the ice rink in City Park, which has been operating since 1870. The boating lake near Heroes’ Square is turned into an ice rink in winter. It is a traditional date spot and also a meeting place for friends and families. You can find more locations here

MOVE AROUND LIKE A HUNGARIAN