Here comes the marketing spiel!.... but believe us, we wouldnt put it up here if we didnt agree.... anything we dont agree with we change....... Our all out foul mouthed review can be found further down..... its a long one, but its all about getting the low down!
Jasna is Slovakias Biggest and best ski resort.....
With modern lifts, facilities and well maintained slopes, the region has developed the reputation as central Europes premier ski resort, attracting guests from every corner of Europe. The resort is spread over the north and south sides of Chopok mountain, one of the highest peaks in the Low Tatra range. Each side is serviced by its own lifts and restaurants and has a different feel. There is excellent facitilites for learners and advanced skiiers alike, with plentiful area for picking up the basics and an array of "freeride zones" - which is essentially designated off piste which few rarely venture to, giving for peaceful, untouched freshies on a regular basis!
Ski and Snowboard hire is also well priced, with a Snowboard for 6 days costing just £45**, and skis with boots and poles, just £50. The cost of lessons is also a distinct advantage, with a 3 hour Private lesson costing just £27, compared to one of the UK's Snowdomes where a 45minute Group lessons starts from £30
Please click the images below for piste maps (opens in new window)
** All Prices are for 2006/07 season and based on exchange rates, and therefore liable to change depending on economic factors.
And now for our 2p's worth.....
Whinges
Yes, Jasna is by far and away the biggest resort in the area, and in the same token is the best. But this does not mean that it doesn't have its problems!
Namely, if you are not with a company like Propaganda, who offer all transport as part of the package then it can be a pain in the arse to get around. The resort is set over entry levels, which, if you make the mistake of missing last lift and are in the wrong place, then you are walking it. The bus service between the resorts is piss poor and relies on the free bus which runs between the road block and the resort.....again this is pretty poor. The amount of times you see poor parents having to persuade their kids to lift up those planks of skis and hike 2km up a road which doesnt even consist of a path to protect the little rippers from the traffic which, in classic ski resort style, is as unforgiving to a pedestrian as it is to the bus it is trying to overtake on a blind bend.... something could be done for this.
Because of the exposed upper sections, the lifts can be closed due to high winds...... this can be very frustrating, as once again it can mean you getting stranded.... the Drag lifts in Jasna are killers.... still with the old style classic straight poma that yanks your balls out of joint at the start, and if you are lucky enough to survive first impact, you then have the unenviable task of no doubt trying to coax your other half into giving it a go....... That doesnt mean that you should not come here if you cant ride pomas, because the whole resort is rideable, yes every run, just by using the chairlifts... and if they close? head to the bar for 1euro jager bombs.
On Otupne, whos idea was it to put the steepest section of slope in the resort in the MIDDLE of a blue run...... Either mark this section up as Red/Black or do something with it!!!...... Now we know that there is no better way to teach people than to drop them in at the deep end.... but this goes beyond a joke. A 50m+ section that is so steep that even sitting on your arse down can be as dangerous as trying to side slip it...... there is a path around the outside which is about 2m wide and flattens out - all very well, but who the hell is gonna be able to track down this when they are not advanced enough to side slip a steep section..... and where are the signs telling the poor parents again as they are there trying to persuade the little ripper once again that Daddy knows best and everything will be ok...... only to see them shoot off to the bottom and straight into the landing zone of the old snow park (now thankfully moved)
Off Piste
What people say about the FreeRide zones is 100% true...... if you get lucky with conditions then you could potentially have some of the best off piste riding experiences that you will get without having to rent a helicopter or hiking for days...... From the top 2 man chair you can take your pick - a straight drop off to the left as you look up the hill which almost seems as its going round the back of the mountain and into bear valley will see you for a good half hour of fresh terrain with a nice drop in to start. Just be prepared that at the end, you need to hook left in the trees and will be walking for ten or so minutes.... doesnt sound that bad, but if you hit a 2 foot dump you will be fit by the end of it.
When it comes to hitting the freeride zones, try to tap up a local or head to BSS Snowboard School to start with and you will find yourself a guide more than willing for a few tokens to take you out. Just because its easy to access doesn't mean that its 100% safe....... take all the precautions you usually would before heading up.
Learners through to Pro's
Some of us are born lucky, nailing switch backside rodeos on day 2.... but for the rest of us this is something that we have to work at. When you are in a mixed group its always good to know that the people that we love, who we have pretty much forced to come on holiday with us, citing that they will "LOVE it" will be well looked after. If you have TOTAL beginners in your group, drop them off with BSS in the area "Biela Put" and they will do the work, or, if you want to teach them, go to Biela Put and use the chair - its about a 200m gentle slope that is a good place to start..... and just off the top of the chair is another chair that drops you off at 2 of the steep reds so you can hoon a quick lap in while the other half is nailing themselves into a well earned massage break.
Once your friends have perfected the basics, get them over to either Zaharadky to the main 6 man chairlift - Hit the 2.5km Blue that meanders around the left hand side of the resort and back to the chair - this is sometimes peoples overall favourite run.... tons of natural hits, plenty of buttering material and all safe in the knowledge that your buddies are with you totally stoked by your skills.... your missus may even start to love you again......
So summing up - the range of the runs and area is more then enough to suit every level, with even the best getting some new hits and tracks that would put the alps to shame. The trees in the resort are stunning terrain.... total "go anywhere" lines that will almost always spit you out close to a lift...... bargain.