Kruševo: A day in the snow

Kruševo (pronounced Krushevo) is the highest town in Macedonia and the Balkans. It has a population of about 5,500 and is home to some great ski slopes

Going Downhill

If you go to Kruševo while there is still snow, you should make sure to enjoy their slopes. You can rent skiing and snowboarding equipment for about 400MKD, or a sled for even less. Be aware though, that some of the equipment renting places, do not have boots over the size of 45 (12 in US show sizes).

A day of skiing in Kruševo makes for a great day indeed. The locals are nice, the slopes are spacious enough for everyone (though there’s always people that take up too much room), and you have a beautiful view from the top of the mountain.

If you get too cold while in the slopes, just head in to one of the café’s for something hot.

Beyond the snow

Kruševo isn’t just ski slopes. Kruševo was the location of the Ilinden Uprising and has a relatively rich history. If you’re going there during the winter, it’s hard not to feel tempted to simply spend all day going down the slopes (or falling face first in the snow, if you’re like me), but there’s plenty to visit. There’s the Makedonium monument, St. Nikola Church, St. Jovan Church, Nikola Martinovski gallery, Museum of Ilinden Uprising, Meckin Kamen, and even the city’s architecture is worth a gander.

If you go during the summer, it might be a good idea to rent a bicycle so that you can get around the different locations and get through the woods. Trees and stones are marked so as to make sure that you don’t get lost.

 Tomás Ramalhete