Žari Ski Center is Sjenica's ski resort — six kilometres south of the town centre, on the slopes of Koritnik. It opened in the 2014/2015 season and has since grown into more than a local slope: it also holds the shooting range of the national biathlon centre.
Where it is and how to get there
It is six kilometres south of the centre of Sjenica. The drive is short and paved, so the slope is reachable in snow without special equipment. Parking is at the resort itself.
If you are staying at Hotel Lane in the centre of Sjenica, that is a few minutes by car — close enough to go both in the morning and after lunch, without planning the whole day around it.
The alpine slope and the lift
The alpine slope is 850 metres long with a vertical drop of about 270 metres, served by a platter lift. Koritnik rises to 1,471 metres, so the slope opens onto a view of the Sjenica plain and the Pešter mountains — the part of it that does not show on paper.
By length and gradient, Žari is a resort for beginners and intermediates, for families with children and for people learning. An experienced skier will not find it a challenge, but will find it empty — which on Kopaonik is unthinkable.
Nordic trails and the national biathlon centre
What really sets Žari apart is the nordic side: 5.5 kilometres of trails for cross-country skiing and a fully equipped shooting range, which is why the centre holds national biathlon centre status.
Of those 5.5 kilometres, 2.5 kilometres are asphalt-surfaced. That means the nordic season here does not stop when the snow melts — roller-ski training carries on through the summer. Few resorts in Serbia can say that.
Opening hours and season
During the winter season the slope is open every day from 09.00 to 16.30. The Sjenica area is among the coldest in Serbia, so snow here normally lasts longer than at lower resorts — the season runs on when it is already over elsewhere.
Still, check the condition of the slope before setting out, as operation depends on snow and weather.
Where to stay
There is no accommodation at the resort itself, so you sleep in Sjenica. Hotel Lane is in the centre of town, a few minutes from the slope, with free parking and a restaurant — practical for a ski day that starts in the morning.
See the rooms and apartments, or accommodation in Sjenica for prices and what is included. If you are staying longer, skiing pairs with Uvac, the Pešter Plateau and the Sultan Valide Mosque in the centre.
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