Why you should visit Vlašić mountain during the winter time, the Bosnian gem

07.12.2018.

Vlašić is a mountain in central Bosnia, close to the town of Travnik. Its importance in beautiful Bosnia and Herzegovina highlights the role of skiing place, the kingdom of nature and the production of cheese. Travnik is also a place worth visiting with its soul of ancient times and fortress illuminating it. I missed the chance to visit Vlašić during autumn with mountaineering club which included Travnik so I will have to repeat that chance. This chance I repeated in the beginning of december 2018. when I explored numerous fantastic views with the mountaineering club.

Opening of the winter season with the event Shankanje was the reason to visit Vlašić in the first hand. It included the colourful collection of fun and concert of my favourite band. Pop concert on the beautiful mountain was the enticing experience. Sankanje in croatian means sledding.

See also: Skiing in Germany- Oberstdorf

See also: Obertauern & Radstadt- skiing paradise near Salzburg

See also: Amazing choice of winter hikes

Babanovac- the welcoming point

Babanovac is the ski-centre and welcoming arrival point, from here the buses to and from Travnik are available. Travnik is only 22 km away. As I haven’t been to skiing place long time, it was indeed surprising to see a resort like this and it was even more surprising to see how developed it is. It’s like a little town having the shop, bakery, the sport equipement store. There are also many, many hotels, villas and private apartments, even the disco clubs.

Vlašićka koliba (Vlašić cottage), a restaurant with hotel rooms above is a cozy place you would prefer due to the views. The open fire place with the adjacent sitting wall is an unmissable opportunity as you can watch by the life passing by.

Skiing opportunities

Babanovac is a busy place full of people coming for skiing, sledding, for nature escape in their own cottage. Just around the corner there’s very one exquisite ski jump, which is not in use.

Night skiing is a fun experience you should try. Baby-ski lift is is a name of the one facility, though not because of babies. I was so very glad to see one skiing place so alive and I was even more glad to see this one in Bosnia. The motor bobsled contributed to this merry experience.

Shankanje- awesome event that opens a winter season at Vlašić mountain

Shankanje is an event that exists already from 2010. celebrating the opening of ski season with the beginning of winter. Two days bring the concerts of popular music groups (in the big tent), free beans and other snacks, plus tea and coffee. Some games and the programme for children includes the gifts and cheerful vibes. Local craftsmen with the panorama of their products are also there.

Vlašić tea & local plants

Vlašić tea is a popular speciality in Bosnia that exists in various shapes. Just to mention some of the ingredients: thymian, mentha, elder, hibiscus, origano, marshmallow, blackberry. How many of you like the tea like this?

Many different plants decorate this mountain, including the rare ones. Near Babanovac, at Eko-fis colony I found some interesting info about rosa brandisia. It’s an endem kind of rosa without thorns which actually appear after planting it. This rosa is discovered and named by the botanist Erich von Brandis.

Some of the restaurants have their own musical evenings. I’m so lucky to be bathed with Sun while there, the feeling was like being on the seaside beside the plenty of snow.

The highest peak & mountain huts

The highest peak is Paljenik with its 1943 m. The tv tower makes it even more higher.

There are many mountain huts on Vlašić, one of the most popular is situated near the rocks Paklarske stijene. These rocks are grandiouse, an unusal place for mountain hut. The mountain hus is a pleasant place with the rooms spreading across two floors and the bunk beds. Within one hour of walk theer’s one other mountaineering hut „Devečani“ in the property of another mountaineering club. Enjoyment that has to be explored to 100% is something only mountain can bring. Vlašić is one special mountain that can take you in a fairy-tale. Not only in winter, Vlašić deserves a visit for all fitness levels and mountain lovers.

The viewpoint Snježna Gospa (Snow Lady)

The view point Snježna Gospa (Snow Lady) shines from the distance with its arbor at the protruding rock. The fantastic view of almost entire Bosnia is the reason to come, while the arbor with signboards picturesquely describes the location. It’s situated only one hour walk through the forrest from the mountain hut at Paklarske stijene.

Where to stay

Eko-Fis tourist colony is where I found an accomodation, though a bit far away from the central point. Being so peaceful and captivating is its main advantage. The rooms are little appartments in fact with the nice kitchen and underfloor heating. There are many activities within the Eco-Fis colony from paintball, swimming pool (which was closed), sauna, adrenaline park, little zoo and the lakes. Also many sport facilities are being held. A pleasant walk here is undoubtful.

The view point Snježna Gospa (Snow Lady) shines from the distance with its arbor at the protruding rock. The fantastic view of almost entire Bosnia is worth of coming as well as the arbor with the signboards towards the various places. It’s situated only one hour walk through the forrest from the mountain hut at Paklarske stijene.

The river Ugar

The river Ugar is the most known among the many rivers on Vlašić. Under Babanovac its spring and canyon can be taken into consideration. Do not miss the waterfalls!

There are many other things to be seen on Vlašić but I can speak it properly after I’ll see it. First I have to take in account these basical wonders. Travnik will have to be included.

Final thoughts

Coming to Vlašić means living an adventure, especially if it means coming for a concert. Coming to Vlašić means to be immerged to bosnian hospitality of cheerful people, to bring festivity to the life. Coming to Vlašić means exploring the sense of life, to find the alternatives. It also means finding peace within the whirl of happenings.

Coming to Vlašić means coming back to childhood. I even tried sledding as I met some fellows around. Have you tried some sledding recently? What is your favourite ski resort? Vlašić is not only a mountain, it’s a state of being. That’s why many people are coming back over and over.