Description

Chamonix, La Grave and Jackson Hole are rightly famous freeride areas but Popova Sapka is a good example of a virtually unknown ski resort that is home to some spectacularly good skiing. The main chairlift in the resort (which is used to access this tour) was bought from the Sarajevo Olympics and it certainly feels like an antique when you are riding it - expect it to stop regularly and move slowly even when it is in motion! Such things are all part of the fun of skiing in Eastern Europe. From the top of the chairlift, skin or bootpack easily up the wide ridge which leads to the summit of Ahmehu.

There's a small metal tower on the summit and many skiers choose to climb this in order to a get a good photo! Ski down the beautiful north-west face of Ahmedu, enjoying the nicely steep terrain until it gives way to some a mellow valley floor.

Exit the valley northwards and then do a short skin followed by a short but fun north-west facing ski to the foot of your second peak of the day.

Skin north up this and then follow a gorgeous wide ridge north-east before dropping right into a uniform 25 - 30 degree slope.

This offers pure pleasure skiing and just eggs you on to go faster and faster.

Try to find your speed limit...but don't go over it! Once back in the valley floor put skins on for a final time, make a short climb up to a jeep track and skin along this as it winds around to a col overlooking Popova Sapka village.

Rip skins off and blast down to the village.