Straja Ski Area

Straja Resort lies at an altitude of 1,445 m in Hunedoara County, in the Vâlcan Mountains, part of the Retezat – Godeanu group of the Southern Carpathians, 8 km from the town of Lupeni.

Source: wikipedia.org

It has more than 25 km of ski slopes (most of them maintained with artificial snow), served by cable lifts, and it ranks among skiers' favorites thanks to its accessibility and facilities.

How Did the Straja Ski Resort Come About?

The resort's history goes back a long way. In the early 1970s, in the Vâlcan Mountains, at the foot of Straja Peak (1,868 meters high), there was a chalet with a few dozen beds.

The surrounding landscape was magical. Over the last few decades, and especially since 2002, when the place was declared a tourist resort, the resort has grown significantly.

Main Attractions in Straja

The resort has grown from a small, isolated chalet into a popular mountain destination, offering a unique combination of adventure on the slopes and spiritual experience in the heart of nature, in the spectacular setting of the Vâlcan Mountains.

• Straja Hermitage, built in 1999, is known for its impressive tunnel and has become a religious pilgrimage site. Especially on Good Friday, before Easter, a religious procession called “The Way of the Cross” takes place, in which believers climb from Lupeni to Straja Hermitage carrying a wooden cross. Here you will find a small wooden church that attracts many pilgrims.

• The Heroes' Cross, with its impressive dimensions of 18 meters in height and 9 meters in width, is a solemn monument dedicated to the courage and sacrifice of more than 800 soldiers who gave their lives in World War I.

How Do You Get to Straja Resort?

You can reach the ski area by gondola from the town of Lupeni (it runs from 09:00 to 16:30, except on Tuesdays) or by car, 8 km from the same town (a winding but paved road). Road access to the resort is from Petroșani, in the Jiu Valley, on DN 66, or from Obârșia Lotrului on DN7A, along the Transalpina route.

Approximate Distances from Several Romanian Cities to Straja Resort

• Bucharest – Straja: About 340 km. The trip takes around 5-6 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

• Cluj-Napoca – Straja: About 260 km away. You can reach the resort in about 4 hours, depending on the route you take.

• Timișoara – Straja: The distance from Timișoara is about 270 km, with a travel time of about 5 hours.

• Sibiu – Straja: It is 220 km away. The trip takes around 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

• Alba Iulia – Straja: It is 165 km away, and the drive takes about 2 h 30 min

Straja Ski Area – Ski and Snowboard Slopes

The resort welcomes winter sports lovers with a selection of 12 slopes. The longest of these is Straja Slope, which stretches an impressive 8.1 km and starts from Straja Peak, at an altitude of 1,868 m.

A varied network of cable lifts serves all the slopes and keeps things running smoothly, even when there are many tourists: 6 ski lifts, 4 chairlifts, the gondola from Lupeni and a conveyor belt for beginners. Six of the slopes are floodlit for night skiing.

Straja slope map

The Ski Slopes in Straja

1. Straja Slope – At an impressive 8.1 km long, this is the longest slope in the resort. It is rated intermediate, and skiers can reach an altitude of 1,870 meters.

2. Lupului Slope – Although relatively short, at only 519 meters, Lupului Slope offers a challenge with its difficult rating. Floodlit at night, it climbs to an altitude of 1,610 meters.

3. Lupului II Slope – This slope is floodlit and of intermediate difficulty, with a length of 750 m and an altitude of 1,610 meters.

4. Canal Slope – Perfect for snowboarding, Canal Slope stands out because it can be used until April. It is 1.4 km long and considered difficult.

5. Canal II Slope – At 1.2 km long and of intermediate difficulty, Canal II Slope offers an exhilarating experience.

6. Constantinescu Slope – This floodlit slope is easy and 1,100 meters long, climbing to an altitude of 1,565 meters.

7. Sf. Gheorghe Slope – At 700 meters long and easy, this floodlit slope is suitable for beginner skiers.

8. Mutu Slope – Floodlit at night and 1.3 km long, Mutu Slope is of intermediate difficulty, reaching a maximum altitude of 1,697 meters.

9. Platoul Soarelui – This slope, suitable for beginners and children, is 400 meters long and floodlit at night. With a starting altitude of 1,462 meters and a finish at 1,360 meters, it is ideal for ski lessons.

10. Gondola Slope – At 3.2 km long and of intermediate difficulty, the Gondola Slope offers skiers a varied experience.

11. Straja Peak Slope – One kilometer long, this slope is rated intermediate.

12. Beginners' Slope (Baloo) – This short, 100-meter slope is reserved exclusively for beginner lessons run by the Ski and Snowboard School.

Ski Pass and Hours at Straja Resort

Skiers on the slope in Straja

Prices for the 2023-2024 season may differ from those of the previous season:

Cable lift prices (valid for the entire ski area)

All day passes are valid only from 09:00 – 17:00

Days need not be consecutive

COMEXIM cable lifts (excluding Platoul Soarelui)

• Day passes do not include night skiing. Points are valid for night skiing.

• The night skiing pass is purchased separately.

• The ski pass is personal and non-transferable.

• A 10 lei card deposit is added to the price of a ski pass.

• The gondola deducts 5 points, the chairlifts 3 points.

• The ski lifts deduct 2 points.

COMEXIM R Ski Pass Rules

• Lift operating hours are 09:00 – 17:00.

• Night skiing (17:00 – 21:00) runs on weekends and during holidays, only on chairlift 1 and ski lifts 3, 4 and 5.

• Each lift operates only with a minimum of 15 people.

• Ski passes are valid for ski lifts 1, 3, 4, 5 and chairlifts 1, 2 and 4.

• They are not valid for Platoul Soarelui, the gondola and Straja Peak.

• Day ski passes are valid from 9:00 – 27:00

• With points-based ski passes, ski lifts charge 2 points and chairlifts 3 points.

• The days of validity on the ski pass do not have to be consecutive.

• They can be used at any time during the season, within the number of valid days.

• Children up to 6 years old accompanied by their parents ride for free.

• Ski passes are personal and non-transferable.

• In case of bad weather, the cost of the ski pass is not refunded.

• If a lift breaks down while at least one other lift is still running, the cost of the ski pass is not refunded.

• People without ski or snowboard equipment cannot use the cable lifts.

• The ski pass deposit is 10 lei and is refunded when you return the pass at one of the ski pass points in the resort.

• The lift operator assumes no responsibility for the loss, damage, theft, etc. of ski passes.

Weather in Straja Resort

Before you set off, you need up-to-date information on the weather and temperature, as well as short- and long-term forecasts for Straja Resort.

You can also check the resort's websites or local weather channels for information on this.

Accommodation Options at the Straja Tourist Complex

Most accommodation in Straja is close to the slopes, which is extremely convenient. However, some of these properties face one problem – limited parking.

Straja seen from above

In Straja you will find plenty of accommodation options, so you can make the most of the mountain experience. There are options for every taste and budget: chalets, guesthouses and villas, hotels.

If you're traveling with your family, you can opt to rent a vacation home. These offer privacy and generous space, as well as facilities for cooking and family meals.

Whichever option you choose, make sure to book in advance, especially in peak season, so that you are sure to have accommodation at the Straja tourist complex for the duration of your stay.

Accounts of accommodation in Straja describe a haphazard layout of lodgings in the area, probably a consequence of the region's unexpected and rapid development.

Those looking for cheap accommodation and mountain experiences on a budget can choose to stay in Lupeni.

With a history of continuous development and impressive mountain scenery, Straja Resort is a favorite for those who want to enjoy snow and mountain adventures during the cold season, and beyond.