Children's joys
As winter slowly wakes up and spring approaches, the Šariš region creates an ideal environment for unforgettable experiences for the whole family. Let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere of Šariš and discover what this region has to offer for every member of the family. Sledding and building snowmen simply belong to winter. Relive memories of your childhood and create new shared experiences with your family. A guarantee of great fun during the cold months is surroundings of the Dark Forest in the village of Zlatá Baňa. Another popular place is the nearby Sigord recreation area, where you can swap your winter hiking boots for skates or cross-country skis. Ice rink on Sigord after freezing will please not only skaters but also hockey players. Skaters can also be found on winter area near the bowling alley in Veľký Šariš, but skating is subject to favourable conditions. Visit the region's ice rinks, which allow public skating at the ice rink in Sabinov and Prešov, or at the multifunctional ice rink in Lipany.
Winter hiking for families with children
Views of the snowy panorama of the Šariš region are revealed by the lookout tower above Sabinov on a wooded hill called Šanec. There are many routes leading to the lookout tower, known as „Švablovské trails“. Below the lookout tower is another resting place nicknamed as „Crosses on Chance“, which are part of the Švabľovka Forest Park. Even small children can manage this easy walk.
In the vicinity of the unique Slovak opal mines in Zlata Bana you will find another one. If you like to listen to the sounds of the forest, the singing of birds or the rustling of trees, sit in the 4-meter wooden megaphone, where the sounds of the surrounding nature will be multiplied. The megaphone is unrivalled in Central and Western Europe, but you will only find a similar megaphone in Estonia. This 2.5-tonne structure is shaped like a nine-sided icicle, which concentrates the rays and waves bouncing off its walls into a single point. This unique structure can be found just 200 metres from the gazebo and fire pit in the Dark Forest.
Wooden Megaphone Golden Mine
Winter hiking for more demanding hikers
Majestic top Stráž is one of the most distinctive natural landmarks of the Prešov area, which rises between Fintice and Veľký Šariš. At the very top there is a radio transmitter, under which there is a statue of the patron saint of firefighters - St. Florian. The peak is wooded and does not provide views. However, in winter there is an opportunity for partial views not only from the top but also from the hiking trail itself. On the way to the summit itself, stop at the imitation weather station where you will learn to determine the current state of the weather. The path is also accompanied by stops along the Way of the Cross. Not far from the crossroads of Bodas is the Uhliska spring, which springs up in three places close to each other. The blue hiking trail accompanies you on a moderately difficult ascent from the village of Fintice or from Prešov (Šídlovec) by following the green trail.
Skialp possibilities
If you are a skialp enthusiast, we recommend your hike on Lysá on marked ski slopes, cross-country skiing trails or on the peaks of the Cerkhov Mountains. The surroundings of Lysá offer 4 circuits of different difficulty levels:- Besná saddle circuit - 8 km
- The Big Javorina Circuit - 19 km
- Salt Flats Circuit - 26 km
- Minčol circuit - 46 km
Overview of ski resorts in the Šariš region
1. Ski resort SKI Drienica- Ideal for family skiing
- It has four downhill tracks with a total length of almost 2.5 km
- One large lift and 2x small lifts
- Day and night skiing available (currently only on weekends)
- Ideal ski training centre
- There are two rental rooms for skiing and snowboarding equipment, even gliders
- Accommodation options: chalet Drienica, Mountain chalet Sport Lysá, Hotel Šomka and others
- Resort with 5 ski lifts with a total length of 4 km
- 16 December 2023 - start of the ski season
- Characteristics of slopes: A - Under the golden rock - 1 005 m, moderate B - Lipovská - 920 m, easy C - Lesná - 1,025 m, intermediate D - Ski School - 215 m, easy E - Lachnovská - 590 m, difficult F - Lamesácka - 620 m, difficult
- There is also a ski school, children's rope tow
- In the resort there is a mountain chalet Bukvica with catering facilities
- It offers skiers and snowboarders a chairlift, ski lifts and groomed slopes
- Over six kilometres of track with beautiful views of the valley
- 16 December 2023 - open seat
- 22 December - opening of the ski season
- The ski resort is located in the cadastre of the picturesque village of Medvedie
- Ideal for family skiing
- Ski lifts Tatrapoma ,,P,, with a length of 400 m and a ski lift ,,S,, for beginners with a length of 200 m and lift Tatrapoma H100 with a length of 600 m and an elevation of 130 m
- The ski slopes are groomed, there is a large, groomed and free car park
- Refreshments are also available in the buffet
- 20 January 2024 - start of the ski season
- Ski resort in the village Nižná Polianka
- Long slope 950 m
- Slope also suitable for tobogganing
- 19 January 2024 - opening of the ski season
Magical Christmas atmosphere
The Šariš region also brings extremely attractive Christmas markets. The most spectacular Christmas markets are just in Prešov, which will take place this year from St. Catherine's Day to New Year's Eve on two dates: from 25 November to 22 December 2023 and from 26 to 31 December 2023. It will be the longest-lasting Christmas market in the Prešov Region and the second longest in the regional towns in Slovakia. However, they will surprise with several novelties.
In the centre of South Park you will find a Christmas corner away from the busy pedestrian zone. Take a photo by the light installations in the newly created rest area. New features include a children's market with a children's zone, which will delight the little ones in particular. Among the 65 stalls you will find a brand new attraction in the form of a carousel with hand-powered wicker baskets. The guarantee of a true Christmas experience is also a more varied programme with well-known bands and performers such as Richard Autner, Fragile, Robo Opatovský, Tomáš Bezdeda, DJ EKG and others. That is why the new location of the stage in front of the St. Nicholas Cathedral is also new. The enlarged zone will connect you directly with the gastronomic section. So you can enjoy Christmas drinks or food in all weathers, in comfort and warmth under a large illuminated tent. The Christmas market in Prešov will be rounded off by a light and laser show, which will replace the classic fireworks display as a greener and more tolerant version of the New Year celebrations.
Equally interesting will be Christmas markets in Lipany (14.-15.12.) with a fashion show and performances by the bands Ružový Panter, Bonanza and Medium. Hanus market (9.12.) will be refreshed by the Christmas concert of Veronika Rabada, who will also sing at Christmas markets in Sabinov (18. - 20.12.). Come to the Veľký Šariš St. Nicholas Day and Christmas markets (9.12.).
