The Olympic mountains: the back story

About The Olympic mountains: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Sarajevo Editorial Team

Within an hour of the bazaar, you can be skiing an Olympic run. The mountains around Sarajevo gave the 1984 Games their alpine events, and in summer they are just as rewarding for hiking, mountain biking and highland villages.

Jahorina

Jahorina, about 30 km south-east of the city, hosted the women’s alpine events in 1984. It is the largest ski area in the country, with a modern gondola, chairlifts, wide runs through the forest and many hotels. The season usually runs from December to early April, snow permitting.

Bjelašnica

Bjelašnica, about 30 km south-west, hosted the men’s alpine events, and its steep runs and night skiing make it popular with Sarajevans. Its high plateau leads to the old shepherd villages of Lukomir and Umoljani.

Ski in the morning, ćevapi in the bazaar by evening.

Igman

Igman, next to Bjelašnica, hosted the ski jumping and Nordic events. The ski jumps and the medal podium still stand in the forest, an atmospheric walk.

Summer in the mountains

From June to September, the mountains are green and full of wildflowers. Hike to Lukomir, the highest village in the country at about 1,500 metres, walk the edge of the Rakitnica canyon, or ride Jahorina’s gondola for the views.

Before you go

Ski passes and lift times change each season, and opening depends on snow. Roads need winter tyres or chains in winter. Check the resorts’ official sites for the current season.

Our advice: in winter, choose Jahorina for the biggest ski area and Bjelašnica for a day trip with night skiing; in summer, drive across the Bjelašnica plateau to Lukomir. Either way, combine it with a cable-car ride up Trebević in the city.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The Olympic mountains: the back story before you go.