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Ski Touring on Golem Korab – A True Winter Expedition in the Heart of the Balkans

OUR BLOG

North Macedonia as a ski touring destination? Yes – and a serious one.

North Macedonia is rarely perceived as a snowy country. Yet, in the high mountain ranges, reality tells a different story. For approximately four months each year – from late December to early spring – conditions allow for high-quality, demanding ski touring experiences.

The massif of Golem Korab (2,754 m), the highest peak in both North Macedonia and Albania, is one of those places that completely overturns expectations. Influenced by Mediterranean weather systems, the Korab range receives substantial snowfall throughout winter. The combination of snow volume, altitude, and complex terrain creates a reliable snowpack and excellent conditions for authentic free touring skiing.

A wild mountain. No infrastructure. No compromises.

Ski touring on Korab is not resort backcountry.
There are no lifts.
No serviced huts.
No crowds.

The area is entirely wild, far from settlements and tourist infrastructure. During most of the season, our groups are the only visitors on the mountain. That means:

  • absolute silence,
  • untouched lines,
  • full immersion in raw nature,
  • and the feeling of participating in a genuine winter expedition.

 

This is free touring for true connoisseurs – for those who seek a pure and natural mountain experience rather than a hybrid adventure supported by heavy logistics and comfort infrastructure in the background.

The social media post you make from Korab in winter will likely be one of the very few from the area – and quite possibly the only one during those days. Not because the mountain lacks potential, but because few possess the knowledge, leadership, and operational capacity to be there safely.

Ski touring camping – a deep mountain experience For those seeking more than a single summit day, we organize ski touring camping programs – authentic, extensive high-mountain experiences. With careful logistics, detailed risk assessment, and full autonomy, we operate in one of the most untouched winter landscapes in North Macedonia. This is not simply a “tour program” – it is a compact expedition in a pristine alpine environment. Why choose us?
  1. We are local to the mountain
We have been operating for decades within Mavrovo National Park. Over 90% of the high-mountain hiking trails and adventure tourism infrastructure in the region were conceptualized and physically established by our team.
  1. The only certified institution for professional mountain leader training
We lead the Mountain Academy Mavrovo – the only certified institution in North Macedonia dedicated to the education and training of professional mountain leaders and mountain rescuers. Our methodology combines academic rigor with extensive field experience.
  1. Authors and route developers on Korab
The winter route markings toward Golem Korab were installed by our team as part of Stage 10 of the transnational long-distance trail High Scardus Trail, of which we are one of the authors. The winter variant of this stage was carefully designed as a logical and safer line of movement under snow conditions.
  1. Safety is not marketing – it is a system
We are among the initiators of modern mountain rescue development in North Macedonia and facilitated membership in ICAR in 2016 through the association Asclepius. Today, together with the national park and the Mountain Academy, we continue to work on strengthening a structured mountain rescue system – a critical safety backup for tours in this truly wild terrain.
  1. Pioneers of modern ski touring in the country
We are institutors of the modern ski touring and free touring in North Macedonia. We know every valley, every ridge, every aspect of the Korab massif. That means we always know:
  • where the safest terrain options are,
  • where the best snow quality can be found,
  • and where the cleanest descent lines lie.
Korab is not a product. It is an experience. Ski touring on Golem Korab is not mass tourism. It is a conscious choice – for wilderness, silence, authenticity, and real mountain commitment. If you are looking for comfort, there are other places. If you are looking for a mountain, there is Korab. If you want to experience Korab properly – we are here.