Wellcome to our second season
In 2004 we had a great season, however limitted it was. But this destination worked and fullfilled the expecations of the guets. This year we are back with great offers for january to march catski tours in tyhe Accursed mountains in Albania. Join us in this inceredible journey. How can you join
We sell packages to groups. You have to be a group of 8 people plus in order to book with us. For individuals you can join through our dutch partner: For group tours pleasde write us in: info@albanianfreeride.com See our smple itinerary |
Whatch our video created in cooperation with HH and Arva.
What to expect
Experience Highlights
- Breathtaking Scenery: Skiers will be surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the Accursed Mountains, with panoramic views from the ridges and peaks.
- Varied Terrain: The diverse terrain caters to skiers of different skill levels, offering everything from gentle slopes to challenging descents.
- Exclusive and Remote: Being the only operation in the area, skiers will enjoy a sense of exclusivity and adventure in a remote and peaceful setting.
Freeride Albania offers an exceptional cat skiing experience in Northern Albania within the stunning Accursed Mountains. The base of operations is located in Doberdol, nestled within the picturesque Sublica plateau, right on the border with Kosovo. This unique setting provides an exciting opportunity for adventure seekers to explore a region that was previously inaccessible during the winter months.
Terrain and Skiing Experience:
Horseshoe-Shaped Plateau: The primary skiing area forms a horseshoe shape, encompassing a plateau that is surrounded by impressive mountain ridges. This terrain offers a diverse range of skiing opportunities, from gentle slopes on the plateau to more challenging runs on the surrounding ridges.
Expansive Skiing Area: The skiing area covers approximately 7 square kilometers with a 14-kilometer perimeter. The furthest peak from the base is 4 kilometers away, ensuring that skiers can explore a vast and varied terrain each day.
Altitude and Vertical Drop: The base of operations sits at an altitude of 1800 meters, while the surrounding ridges range from 2200 to 2500 meters. This elevation provides ample vertical drop for exhilarating runs. For those interested in ski touring, the Gjeravica peak, at an altitude of 2600 meters, is reachable from the base.
Terrain and Skiing Experience:
Horseshoe-Shaped Plateau: The primary skiing area forms a horseshoe shape, encompassing a plateau that is surrounded by impressive mountain ridges. This terrain offers a diverse range of skiing opportunities, from gentle slopes on the plateau to more challenging runs on the surrounding ridges.
Expansive Skiing Area: The skiing area covers approximately 7 square kilometers with a 14-kilometer perimeter. The furthest peak from the base is 4 kilometers away, ensuring that skiers can explore a vast and varied terrain each day.
Altitude and Vertical Drop: The base of operations sits at an altitude of 1800 meters, while the surrounding ridges range from 2200 to 2500 meters. This elevation provides ample vertical drop for exhilarating runs. For those interested in ski touring, the Gjeravica peak, at an altitude of 2600 meters, is reachable from the base.
Accessibility:
Exclusive Access: Doberdol, previously inaccessible during the winter, is now reachable thanks to Freeride Albania's operations. The location is unique as it is the only functioning cat skiing operation in this part of the world.
Transport: To reach the base, clients must use Freeride Albania's transport services. The cat skiing vehicle is the primary mode of transportation, capable of navigating the snowy terrain where other vehicles cannot. In addition to cat skiing vehicles, motoskis are also used for accessing remote areas.
Adventure and Safety
Untouched Terrain: Since Doberdol has only recently been opened for winter activities, skiers can expect pristine, untouched snow. This offers a rare opportunity to ski in a virtually unexplored winter wonderland.
Professional Guidance: The tours are led by certified ski guides who ensure safety while providing an unforgettable skiing experience. The guides are trained in avalanche safety and beeper search techniques, and they carry essential safety equipment like probes, shovels, transceivers, and avalanche airbags (ARVA).
Exclusive Access: Doberdol, previously inaccessible during the winter, is now reachable thanks to Freeride Albania's operations. The location is unique as it is the only functioning cat skiing operation in this part of the world.
Transport: To reach the base, clients must use Freeride Albania's transport services. The cat skiing vehicle is the primary mode of transportation, capable of navigating the snowy terrain where other vehicles cannot. In addition to cat skiing vehicles, motoskis are also used for accessing remote areas.
Adventure and Safety
Untouched Terrain: Since Doberdol has only recently been opened for winter activities, skiers can expect pristine, untouched snow. This offers a rare opportunity to ski in a virtually unexplored winter wonderland.
Professional Guidance: The tours are led by certified ski guides who ensure safety while providing an unforgettable skiing experience. The guides are trained in avalanche safety and beeper search techniques, and they carry essential safety equipment like probes, shovels, transceivers, and avalanche airbags (ARVA).
Cat Skiing Adventure in the Accursed Mountains
Day 1: Saturday
Arrival and Transfer: Guests arrive at Pristina or Skopje and transfer to Peja. Upon arrival, there is a safety briefing.
Accommodation: Hostel Bora, Peja
Day 2: Sunday
Early Transfer and Cat Skiing Begins: An early transfer to Tropoje marks the beginning of the cat skiing adventure. Enjoy the first day of cat skiing.
Accommodation: Guesthouse Leonard, Doberdol
Day 3: Monday
Cat Skiing Day 2: Continue the thrilling experience with a full day of cat skiing.
Accommodation: Guesthouse Leonard, Doberdol
Day 4: Tuesday
Cat Skiing Day 3: Another exciting day of skiing in the beautiful mountains.
Accommodation: Guesthouse Leonard, Doberdol
Day 5: Wednesday
Cat Skiing Day 4: Enjoy the untouched snow and breathtaking landscapes.
Accommodation: Guesthouse Leonard, DoberdolDay 6: Thursday
Cat Skiing Day 5: The adventure continues with more skiing.
Accommodation: Guesthouse Leonard, DoberdolDay 7: Friday
Cat Skiing
Day 6 and Return: Conclude the skiing activities and return to Peja.
Accommodation: Hostel Bora, Peja
Day 7: Saturday
Return Flight: Guests depart for their return flights.
Pricing and Inclusion
€2200 for 10 PAX or more
Includes: All transfers, 2 nights in guesthouse Bora Peja (twin rooms), 5 nights in Guesthouse Leonard Doberdol (twin rooms), 6 days of full-day cat skiing (7-8 hours a day), full-time certified ski guide, avalanche training, beeper search, breakfast and dinner (including tea/coffee/water), lunchboxes for the cat ski days, probe, shovel and transceiver, and avalanche airbag (ARVA).
Excludes: Flights, (alcoholic) drinks, insurance, freeride ski/snowboard rent (€150 per week).
€ 2200
€280 single room surcharge
Day 1: Saturday
Arrival and Transfer: Guests arrive at Pristina or Skopje and transfer to Peja. Upon arrival, there is a safety briefing.
Accommodation: Hostel Bora, Peja
Day 2: Sunday
Early Transfer and Cat Skiing Begins: An early transfer to Tropoje marks the beginning of the cat skiing adventure. Enjoy the first day of cat skiing.
Accommodation: Guesthouse Leonard, Doberdol
Day 3: Monday
Cat Skiing Day 2: Continue the thrilling experience with a full day of cat skiing.
Accommodation: Guesthouse Leonard, Doberdol
Day 4: Tuesday
Cat Skiing Day 3: Another exciting day of skiing in the beautiful mountains.
Accommodation: Guesthouse Leonard, Doberdol
Day 5: Wednesday
Cat Skiing Day 4: Enjoy the untouched snow and breathtaking landscapes.
Accommodation: Guesthouse Leonard, DoberdolDay 6: Thursday
Cat Skiing Day 5: The adventure continues with more skiing.
Accommodation: Guesthouse Leonard, DoberdolDay 7: Friday
Cat Skiing
Day 6 and Return: Conclude the skiing activities and return to Peja.
Accommodation: Hostel Bora, Peja
Day 7: Saturday
Return Flight: Guests depart for their return flights.
Pricing and Inclusion
€2200 for 10 PAX or more
Includes: All transfers, 2 nights in guesthouse Bora Peja (twin rooms), 5 nights in Guesthouse Leonard Doberdol (twin rooms), 6 days of full-day cat skiing (7-8 hours a day), full-time certified ski guide, avalanche training, beeper search, breakfast and dinner (including tea/coffee/water), lunchboxes for the cat ski days, probe, shovel and transceiver, and avalanche airbag (ARVA).
Excludes: Flights, (alcoholic) drinks, insurance, freeride ski/snowboard rent (€150 per week).
€ 2200
€280 single room surcharge
Video produced by our clients.
In the Map
Latest: The first group of tourists finished their tour in Doberdol
The adventure
This is a distinctive adventure set in one of the most secluded destinations in the Balkans. A dedicated team of ski and adventure tourism enthusiasts has crafted something truly unique, blending modesty and wildness into a one-of-a-kind experience.
Weather and climate
The proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and the region's topography contribute significantly to heavy precipitation in the Albanian Alps. In the central and western parts of the range, known as the Accursed Mountains, the average annual precipitation ranges from 2500 to 3300 mm. Approximately two-thirds of this amount falls during the colder half of the year, providing a consistent snowpack for at least five months. Read more in our blog
All yours
You will be sleeping in the little cabins and all this mountain will be for 12 people. Embrace it!
The Location
Freeride Albania operates in Northern Albania, within the Accursed Mountains. Our base is located in Doberdol, nestled within the Sublica plateau on the border with Kosovo. The terrain forms a horseshoe shape, with a plateau surrounded by mountain ridges. The primary area covers approximately 7 square kilometers with a 14-kilometer perimeter. The furthest peak from the base is 4 kilometers away, while the closest one is just one kilometer away. The base itself sits at an altitude of 1800 meters, while the surrounding ridges range from 2200 to 2500 meters. For ski touring, you can reach the Gjeravica peak at an altitude of 2600 meters from the base.
Doberdol remained closed for winter until 2024 when Freeride Albania was established. It is a popular summer destination, traversed by the Peaks of the Balkans Trail. Currently, it is the only operation functioning in this part of the world. To reach our location, you'll need to use our transport, with catski being the sole vehicle capable of accessing it, aside from motoskis.
Doberdol remained closed for winter until 2024 when Freeride Albania was established. It is a popular summer destination, traversed by the Peaks of the Balkans Trail. Currently, it is the only operation functioning in this part of the world. To reach our location, you'll need to use our transport, with catski being the sole vehicle capable of accessing it, aside from motoskis.
The Facilities
Our facilities are modest and offer basic amenities for a maximum of 12 people. This ensures that the entire mountain is reserved for a single group. The guest house, originally used only in the summer, has been adapted for winter use. The owner has added additional insulation, indoor toilets, and a larger kitchen, which also doubles as a drying room at night. The guest house is simple but provides the necessities for a cat ski operation. The facility comprises three bedrooms, each with four single beds, two larger bathrooms, and a smaller toilet. The kitchen and common room cover approximately 60 square meters and can comfortably accommodate the group. At this time, we can host up to 12 guests, along with one or two guides and guest house staff.
Wilderness
The nearest asphalted road lies 25 kilometers distant. The dirt road leading to Doberdol is accessible only during the summer, so we rely on our catskis for both supplies and client transfers. The closest available hotel facility is located 4.5 kilometers away in terms of aerial distance, just across the border in Kosovo. Another similar operation can be found in Gjervica, approximately 15 kilometers away in terms of aerial distance. When catskiing with us, you'll truly immerse yourself in the pristine wilderness, sharing the experience only with the people you've traveled with.
This could be the most remote location among similar operations worldwide.
This could be the most remote location among similar operations worldwide.