Europe's underrated ski resort with gorgeous slopes, cheap ski passes and no crowds

Winter is here bringing with it the ski season - but while most people will be planning to hit the slopes in popular ski holiday hotspots like Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland, there's one lesser-known European hotspot that's well worth having on your radar.

Montenegro transforms into a winter wonderland between December to March, and while it's not a classic destination for ski holidays, it boasts some gorgeous mountains with impressive snowfall in the higher resorts. The most popular is Kolašin, where you'll find 45km of ski trails which are ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. It boasts on average 120 days of snow cover every year, so there's ample opportunity to book a break. There two main ski centres - Kolašin 1600 and Kolašin 1450 - with ski lifts and cable cars whether you want to take on some trickier slopes or it's your very first time putting skis on. There are local ski schools and parking services, and if you're planning to take the kids there are family-friendly lifts and trails too.

There are no crowds at this resort (Image:Getty Images/iStockphoto)

As for replenishing your energy amidst all of the adventure? Be sure to try kačamak, a local dish made with potatoes, plenty of different cheeses and clotted cream! Due to the fact that Kolašin isn't as popular as other ski hotspots, there are plenty of extra perks when booking. For a start, you won't spend hours queueing for ski lifts which means more time to make the most of the slopes. Meanwhile, with ski pass prices starting from around £21 it can be a budget-friendly way to try a ski holiday for the first time.

Of course there are plenty of other winter sports on offer too. For example, you can go on snowshoe hikes or take ski tours with a guide who can help ensure you don't miss out on some of the prettiest parts of the region. You can find out more about what's on offer on montenegro.travel/en.

There's plenty to do if you don't want to ski (Image:Montenegro Tourism Board)

As for getting there? The closest airport is Podgorica, which is approximately 55km away from the resort. Wizz Air and Ryanair both offer direct flights from the UK. For those who want to stay closer to home this winter, there's one UK fairytale village that you may want to add to your staycation wishlist. Tomintoul in Scotland boasts snow-dusted houses and gorgeous mountain views, not to mention it has its very own ski centre, the Lecht Ski Centre, with a whole host of runs to suit every ability. It's worth noting that it only opens once there's been enough snowfall in the region for the slopes to actually be enjoyable (which is fair enough) so it hasn't yet opened for the 2023/2024 season, although its 'Wren Magic Carpet' will open on December 23 with factory snow for morning and afternoon sessions. You'll need to pre-book online at lecht.co.uk.

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