Travel Guide Popova Sapka

Founded in 1947, North Macedonia's largest and oldest ski resort attracts few Western tourists. It's true that most of the facilities are ageing, and the cable car, which used to climb here directly from Tetovo, has been out of action since the 2001 war. But things are looking up, with snow cannons and a 6-seater chairlift due to go into service in 2019. The "Priest's Hat" (Popova Šapka) resort, also known as "Sunny Hill" (Kodra e Diellit) in Albanian, was the first in Europe to offer cat skiing: since 2005, visitors have been able to board tracked machines for off-piste skiing. Above all, you can take advantage of the grandiose landscapes in the heart of the Šar mountains, which make for some great hiking, such as to Tito's Peak, the highest point in the massif, at 2,747 m above sea level. However, Popova Šapka is not always a family-friendly place, due to the unfriendly behavior of local skiers and the presence of numerous wild dogs.