Popova Shapka – Ski and Tourist Center

One of the many natural characteristics on this relatively high mountain is that half the year it is covered in snow. The snow falls on Shara from November to May. Due to all these conditions, the oldest and most famous ski and tourist centre is located in here, Popova Shapka - in the heart of the Shar Mountain range, at the altitude of 1700 m, and only 40 km distance from Skopje.

The Ski-centre Popova Shapka possesses high quality ski slopes on 35 km2. To be more precise, 7 ski slopes, e homogenous tracks according to the FIS standards, 2 cable cars and 9 ski-lifts with the capacity of 8000 skiers per hour. Shara, in the recent years, is more and more visited b snow-borders and admirers of extreme skiing. There is also a competition organized in these slopes for giant slalom and slalom, called Shar Mountain competition. This ski centre has so far been a host of two European and several Balkan ski-competitions, and it offers accommodation like hotels or apartments.

During the summer time, Popova Shapka is a wonderful place for summer tourism, as a starting point for summer mountain hiking and introduction to some tremendous picturesque mountain landscapes. The terrain, is almost ideal for cycling, so there is mountain cycling marathon held every year in here, called “Shara Waters”.