The home of Dracula may seem an unusual snowboarding destination but the resort at Poiana Brasov is great for beginners and more experienced boarders and skiers alike.
It’s not difficult to see why snowboarding is the world’s fastest growing winter sport. Speeding down a mountain doing jumps and making turns while looking great, what’s not to like?
Snowboarding in Transylvania
For those interested in snowboarding somewhere a bit different, why not head to one of the most underrated European ski destinations: Romania? Transylvania to be precise, the mountainous region in the north of the country made famous by the legend of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
Poiana Brasov Resort
The ski resort of Poiana Brasov is a three hours drive from the capital Bucharest, with the hotels and bars conveniently situated just a few minute’s walk from the slopes. Brasov may lack the infrastructure and the variety of runs that the Alps possess but there’s still plenty on offer and as a beginner, it’s almost perfect.
Lessons on the Nursery Slope
Once kitted out with board and boots, all available to hire, within minutes you can hit the nursery slope. The best thing about the snowboarding lessons is the small size of the groups. There can be as few as two or three boarders per instructor, all of whom speak excellent English.
The nursery slope is wide and long enough (500m long) to ensure there’s lots of room, even when lessons are going on, as well as being sufficiently steep to allow beginners to get a real feel for the sport and keep them challenged for quite some time.
- The nursery slope is also a great place for more experienced boarders to improve their skills and learn new tricks.
- Lessons for more advanced boarders are a popular feature of the Poiana Brasov resort
Other Pistes
Poiana Brasov has nine runs in total, offering a variety of difficulty for a wide range of boarders and skiers.
- There are 4 red runs, 2 black runs, 2 blue runs, and 1 green.
- The resort is serviced by 11 ski lifts, including 2 cable cars and a gondola.
Lupului Black Run
One of the highlights of Poiana Brasov is this 3km long black run. The top of the mountain is often set amidst thick, swirling cloud and snowboarders can be buffeted by bitterly cold winds up here. There’s an initial steep drop which can be icy after which the run becomes truly exhilarating.
There are long, sweeping turns followed by narrower, winding sections through the forest of ice covered trees and thick powdery snow. Plus some long, downhill sections which offer the chance to build up some real speed and a chance to go off piste too.
Cross country skiing, sledging, and nighttime skiing and snowboarding are all available.
Other Excursions
While skiing or snowboarding in Transylvania, don’t miss the opportunity to see more of what this exciting region has to offer including bears and wolves, the nearby town of Brasov and Dracula’s Castle.
