There are two options for skiers close to Sibiu, both in the small resort of Paltinis, 17km from the city centre.
The first is what is now known as the Old Slope, or Partia Oncesti. served by a chair-lift located at the entrance the older part of Paltinis, while the second is the newer Arena Platos complex five kilometres back down the road to Sibiu.
A small resort, Arena Platos nevertheless does what it does very well indeed. There are five short slopes, five drag lifts and while no piste is longer than a few hundred metres, for absolute beginners and improvers it is a very good choice. All slopes are covered by snow-making, all are floodlit and all are open until 10pm.
There is a good ski school and ski and snowboard hire is cheap (40 lei adults, 30 lei children) and available right at the foot of the slopes. One-day lift passes cost 55 lei (children 35 lei); 65 lei (children 45 lei) Sat, Sun.
The Old Slope (Partia Veche/Partia Oncesti) is, at 2km, the longest of the pistes at Paltinis. It is served by a chairlift, is floodlit and the height of the slope means that it is one of the most snow-sure in the country. Pay as you go, 6 lei for each ride on the chairlift.
Paltinis itself is a small place, made up up mainly of private villas (many still owned by writers, for whom the resort has long been a refuge) and one big hotel, the Cindrel. A gaggle of newer, smaller pensions and hotels has recently sprung up close to the Arena Platos. The best are probably the Perla Paltinisului and the Casa Turistilor whose excellent restaurants are the only real dining options in the resort.
You can get to Paltinis and Arena Platos from Sibiu on the Tursib bus, which departs from the train station at 07:00, 11:00 and 16:00. Return buses from Paltinis leave for Sibiu at 09:00, 13:30 and 17:30. All you need is a standard Sibiu bus ticket. There is also the resort’s own skibus, which runs from Sibiu (outside the BRD at the station) at 09:00 every day, with extra buses at 13:00 on Saturday and Sunday, and 18:00 on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Buses back to Sibiu leave Arena Platos at 18:00 every day, with extra buses at 12:00 on Saturday and Sunday and 22:00 on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The skibus bus also stops at the Ibis and Golden Tulip hotels. The skibus costs 10 lei each way, 12 lei for the night buses. A taxi from Sibiu up to Paltinis will cost from 60-80 lei.
Ski Sibiu: Paltinis
