This is the third part of my Slovakia series. In this part I will tell you about some practical issues in Jasna ski Resort. The two previous parts were introduction to the issue and off-piste possibilities in Jasna and Low Tatra ridge. In the last part (part 4) I will discuss about Slovakia and the whole Tatra area in a bit more general level.

Accommodation

Jasna has no clear village/resort, just hotels located pretty randomly near the ski lifts and/or along the beautiful Demanovska Dolina valley. When I was guiding in Jasna we stayed at a relatively cheap Mikulaska Chata, near Otupne lift station. Very recommended, a coysy little hotel/hostel with all the basic services. (“Chata” means “hut”/”cottage” in Slovak but can basically be anything from a real mountain hut to a motel level accommodation. “Hotels” on the other hand are the ones with bars, lounges, restaurant, swimming pool – one could say anything with a status “Hotel” is pretty high standard in Slovakia!)

Jasna has a few very high standard hotels, e.g. Tri Studnicky, Hotel Grand and maybe a bit older/lower level Hotel Junior. All those are recommend. Hotel Sverma (this is for you looking the original seventies “East Block” feel!) and Hotel Liptov are clearly of the lower level, although cheaper too. The biggest hotels are owned by the same company that runs the lifts – so you get valuable packages “all included” (accommodation, food, lift tickets). Anyway, prices are on the rise, and it is recommended to check out the smaller hotels/hostels for even better prices / offers. It is hard to find a comprehensive list of Jasna/Nizke Tatry accommodation but here’s a few (also including some from High Tatra region):

http://www.tatry.net/accommodation/hotels/

http://www.nizketatry.sk/ubytovanie/ubytovanie/ubytovanie.html#ddol ,

http://www.liptovskymikulas.sk/lm.php?t=2&m=3&p=14 and

http://www.jasna.sk/ (click “accommodation”)

Skiing - resort

If you want to get good groomer skiing, get up early and head for the first lifts. Especially during the high season (first three weeks of February) lift lines can be long. My favourite trail is the FIS GS Slope from Rovna Hola to Zahradky (see map here). Too bad Zahradky is also clearly the most crowded down station. Still, we had a few very nice groomer SG/GS sessions on the FIS slope on several mornings. Generally the skiing can be pretty hectic due to crowds and/or quite mad slope action (=people going straight down with no control!) – a very good reason to head for the off-piste though…

Dining and night life

All the hotels offer western standard food (Austria/Germany would be good comparison). Price level is very reasonable too. Hotel Tri Studnicky is the most expencive but also very gourmet..local game food like deer and wild boar were my favourites!

On the slopes a very good option is to head for Koliesko. Best value (and the most greasy!) slope-side restaurant food I’ve ever had, and a very cosy atmosphere. For dining and just taking it easy Bar Peklo along Mikulasska Chata is recommended, nice small and larger snacks, good food, nice staff. This was the favourite hang out for Finns in the early evenings or on those evenings when you just wanted to “take it easy” (yeah right…knowing the drinking habits of our natives). By the way, “Peklo” means “Hell” in Slovak; no wonder this was the place for the Finns!

For even more options head for the town Liptovsky Mikulas down the valley. Busses will commute regurarly through the day between Jasna resort and the town. Also, taking a cab won’t drive you into a bankcrupt…

The night clubs of the Hotels are where to go in the evenings. Back in 2003 and 2004 Junior Hotel and Hotel Grand had the best crowds and even some nice dj’s and theme parties now and then. The town of Liptovsky Mikulas is also a place to check out, and a good place to meet locals the vibe there is more mellow and not typical “ski-resort” at all. In Jasna you could basically be anywhere…well, almost…there are a few minor details like strippers in Hotel’s night clubs that make a difference.

Oh, and how could I forgot: the local beer is good and cheap. Some say Czech beer is alot better but I couldn’t complain. Be ware of the local poisons - Borovicka and Slivovica…hangovers can be furious!

To be continued in the next (4th) part of the series…