Back from a great day of skiing, we wanted to summarize some of the experience. The sun was shining after a day of real snow blizzard – which, bu the way, also offered some really interesting experience of show chains, snow maintenance procedures as well as the local police authorities – so we were looking forward to gliding down miles of slopes bathing in sunshine.
Looking forward to throw ourselves down the slope called “Konjarnik” in particular, we rushed from the gondola starting point at hotel “Stara planina” in order to get there as soon as possible. Konjarnik is a steep slope offering an amazing view over the hills lining up below the mountain top called “Babin zub” and extremely popular among the locals. Because Konjarnik is the far the longest red slope of “Stara planina” it attracts many skiers on a sunny and bright chilly day. In addition, due to its demanding steep in the very beginning, Konjarnik enjoys – a little bit of over-exaggerated – a reputation of being most difficult, a real challenge. I’m still trying to figure out why, but I believe it is just because it demands some lung capacity and determination if you want to get down without taking a few moments of break. I do admit it can be pretty exhausting. But difficult – no.
That is, if you’re equipped up to the bones with proper and suitable skis and shoes, which I wasn’t on this particular day. Despite hours of training and an endless number of barr classes at the gym, I just couldn’t fully enjoy Konjarnik on this day. When I finally realized that I should probably test some lighter skis aimed for recreation rather than racing, I had already lost a day of fun. I still don’t get what went wrong this week, my body just wasn’t synced with the pair of Fischer RC4 SC I rented not only this, but also last, year. I do hope it’s not because I’m getting old for this! Maybe, due to my modest height (161 cm) a ski length of 155 cm was just too much, and I do have a sense that the skis I rented last year were 5 cm shorter and, accordingly, lighter… And I guess I should be thankful for the useful training despite the aching thigh muscles.
Nevertheless, we spent another beautiful day in this small oasis thrown out in the middle of an amazing wilderness. The ride from the slope called “Babin zub” – an indescribably mild and soft slope leaning towards Bulgaria – to Konjarnik and the black slope “Suncana dolina” (“Sunny valley” in Serbian) is breathtaking and always smashingly beautiful it just – and due to lower oxygen levels literally – takes your breath away! The best news is you have to cross this beautiful path each time you head towards Konjarnik from the main entrance of the slope system of the old mountain called “Stara planina ski center” starting from the cabin lift at the spa hotel. Unless, that is, you just drive straight to the foot of Konjarnik to spend a whole day skiing the steeper slopes.
Once suited there between Konjarnik and Suncana dolina, another paradise awaits, namely the pub called “Plaza”, or “Beach” in English. This place is just amazing, you just have to love the idea of putting beach chairs in front of the pub heading towards the majestic mountain peaks of the old mountain with “Midzor” – the highest mountain top in Serbia – among other beauties. At this time of year they are covered by white snow looking as giant caps over the rounded heads of the Balkan mountains.
