Poiana Brașov
Poiana Brașov is a ski resort village in the Transylvania region of Romania.
Get in
The resort is only 10 km from Brașov and transport is almost always via that city. With your own car, follow the winding Highway DN1E west.
The closest airport is Bucharest Otopeni OTP, with direct buses to Brașov. The closest railway station is Brașov, with direct trains from Bucharest, Budapest, and other major cities in Romania. RATBv Bus #20 runs from Livada Poştei at the north edge of the old city, fare 5 lei (see Brasov page for how to reach old city from the railway & bus stations, some 3 km north.) This bus terminates in a large parking lot near the resort centre. From there the main hotels are walking distance.
Get around
Poiana Brașov is a small village so walking is often the best option. Car parks near the ski lifts (if available) are chaotic and difficult to find. There is a large parking lot next to the bus station. Some hotels offer shuttle buses to the ski slopes.
See
The Orthodox church of St John the Baptist (Biserica Sfantul Ioan Botezatarul) is on the main street through the village.
Do
Skiing is the main attraction in Poiana Brașov, with a ski season of around 3-4 months from December to March. There are 13.7 km of piste between 1021 m and the top of Cristianu Mare at 1799 m elevation. The runs are good for beginners and intermediates, but with only 5 km of "black run", advanced skiers will soon get bored. There are ten lifts: two cable-cars, one gondola, two chairlifts, and 5 towbars. An adult day ticket is 145 lei, about 30 euros; children approx half price
Ski rentals can be organised through hotels or at the base of the slopes. For ski lessons, particularly in languages other than Romanian, it can be tricky to organise an instructor. Try approaching one of the Scoala de Ski buildings located at the Bradul cable car or asking at a ski hire shop. Some hotels offer learn-to-ski packages including ski hire. Ski hire including boots is from 20 lei per day. Private ski lessons are very reasonably priced starting at 70 lei per hour.
Many hiking trails start from Poiana Brașov, with easy to medium difficulty. You can walk up to the summit of Postăvaru, to Brașov, to Predeal, to Râșnov, or to Cheile Râșnoavei.
There are also several horse riding schools and camps.
Eat
Several small restaurants in town.
- Şura Dacilor, Strada Valea Lunga (On main rd thru the resort), ☎ +40 268 262 327. Daily 11AM-10:30PM. Upmarket place decked out in furs, traditional food.
- Coliba Haiducilor, Strada Drumul Sulinar (up hill S side of town), ☎ +40 268 262 137. Daily noon-1AM. Very filling traditional food. Place gets crowded in season.
Drink
Stalinskaya vodka from the local shop at the foot of the road leading down from the ANA hotel complex. There is also a pizza place and nightclub, Capra Neagră, which translates as "The Chamois". It plays euro-pop and dance music into the early hours. This club also serves a wide selection of alcohol including many Western alcopops such as Bacardi Breezers.
Sleep
- Hotel Poiana, Valea Dragă (in a complex with the Hotel Sport and Bradul). relatively inexpensive hotel owned by the ANA group. Rooms are cleaned daily and there is a self service restaurant available. There is also a bar (ask for the barman Serge, he is lovely!) Expect to see many Western tourists, mainly British, in the winter as they go to Poiana Brașov to ski.
Stay safe
- There have been several reports of fake ski instructors. If you sign up for a course, make sure the instructor is qualified and certified. Going to a fake instructor is not only wasted money, but you can get hurt if you learn skiing the wrong way.
- Hikers may encounter bears, especially on the forest trails that lead towards southwest from Poiana Brașov (trails marked with red dot and blue dot towards Vanga, Groapa Lungă, Groapa de Aur valleys). See Dealing with bear encounters.
- Both hikers and skiers should avoid the southeastern slopes of Postăvaru mountains in the winter as there is a high risk of avalanches.
Go next
- Brașov has an extensive medieval city, as well as being the regional transport hub.
- Râșnov has a hilltop fortress. So has Bran, but it's a bit tourist-trappy.