SK, Orava – Winter Hike Up Kubinska Hoľa

It is an ideal time to try winter hiking or ski mountaineering. One of the less demanding ascents within the Slovak mountains is the one on Kubínská hoľa.

Access to the ski resort is from the main road between Dolní Kubín and Kralovany. Thanks to the built-in terraced large-capacity car park, you will have no problem parking.

The SKI PARK Kubínská resort itself has two chair lifts (four-seater) and eight ski lifts. Ski slopes allow various combinations of slopes, so not only families with children, but also more demanding skiers will enjoy winter fun here. Added value is certainly the magical views of the Orava region, the mountains of the Western and High Tatras, the Small and Great Fatra, the Orava and Kysucké Beskydy or the majestic Choč. You will definitely enjoy the presence of a viewing platform with a panoramic information board just below the top.

For ski mountaineers, there is one marked ascent route, which begins in the right part of the highest car park (marked by a signpost). In the lower part, it passes through the forest near the race track, along the nature trail. The route ends at the ski slope by the water reservoir. After a short section along the Racing Slope, it turns right onto the Tourist Slope, where it passes along the Chata na Kubínské holi.

Mountain cabin of Kubínská hoľa offers accommodation and excellent refreshments all year round, but currently only in a very limited form. Behind the cottage, the ski mountaineering ascent continues along the Tourist Ski Slope to the chair below the peak.

For the sake of completeness, we add that there is also a second variant (and not only) of a ski mountaineering ascent, via Laviniště, which is located at the upper border of the forest. The name of this locality is a reminder of the tragic event of 1968, when the fall of an avalanche claimed 6 victims, students of a ski course. There is also a memorial. The route then continues to the left to the saddle of Kubínská hoľa, from where it leads along the red tourist sign to the top of Minčol.

Thanks to a sufficient selection of slopes in comparable terrain, the downhill itself is up to you. 

In addition to skiing on or off the slopes, you can enjoy an excellent snowboard park or free-ride zone, and for less adrenaline-type there are a total of 10 km of cross-country trails. So do not hesitate and go to nature!

GPS: 49°15'03.5"N 19°16'04.6"E  (parking)

Text: Oskár Mažgút in cooperation with HIK, o.z.

Photos: HIK, o.z.