SKI TRAIN IN THE SLOVAK HIGH TATRAS MOUNTAINS (ENGLISH VERSION)

At the end of the 19th century, a railway line was built to serve the Slovak High Tatras. So it is possible to cross the base of the Vysoké Tratry (High Tatras) by train! Several ski resorts are accessible by rail, but it is also a possibility to enter the massif and reach the mountain huts and high valleys. This mountainous region of Slovakia shares with Switzerland the fact that it is served by two meter-gauge lines, using Swiss-made equipment... A touch of Switzerland in the High Tatras! This high-end stay aims to take a new approach to ski travel. It involves traveling on skis, of course, but also by train. Like a high road, we will alternate ski stages with nights in mountain refuges and hotels, joining our guiding thread: the rails with their central rack.
In 2016 we had this wonderful experience in Graubünden using the Bernina Express train, in 2025 we used the Glacier Express train, this winter 2026 it will be the Tatranská elektrická železnica (TEŽ) . The journey to Slovakia will also be by rail from Zurich via Bratislava. The plan is to cross the High Tatras from west to east. These mountains between Poland and Slovakia are the highest in the Carpathian chain – sometimes called the “miniature Alps” – they are steep and renowned for being technical. But our itinerary will take the easiest route, allowing a high route accessible to many ski tourers. This is an original way to discover Slovakia, a unique itinerary in the mountains of Eastern Europe.

Published on october 13th

HAUTES TATRAS

Slovaquie
Vos guides : JEAN-MARC PIC & JEAN-RENE MINELLI
Activité : Ski de randonnée
Nombre de participants : 4 min - 10 max
Dates :
Du 19-03-2026 au 29-03-2026
Durée : 11 jours
3500 €

Ski touring trip – 11 days of travel (7 days of skiing) 

DAY 1 - TRIP TO BRATISLAVA

Meet at Zurich train station in the evening at 9:00 p.m. Night train to Vienne then regional train to meet Bratislava. 
Arrival the day after.

DAY 2 - BRASTISLAVA - POPRAD

Arrival in Bratislava Nove Mesto station early in the morning
Train Bratislava Hlavná Stanica > Poprad
Arrival in Poprad in the afternoon
Night in Poprad Europa hotel

DAY 3 - MOUNTAIN TRAIN : from POPRAD to PODRADSKE

Mountain train, High Tatras
Ascent to the Propraské Pleso refuge 1500m on the shores of the lake of the same name
Three-night stay
Vysné Koprovské Seldo 2180m round trip (optional)
Ascent: 920m
Descent: 680m
Night at the mended Propraské Pleso refuge

DAY 4 - MENGUSOVSKA DOLINA - PROPASKI PLESO HUT

Loop via two passes in the Mengusovska Dolina
Zlomiskova Strbina 2287m
Dradie Sedlo 2223m
Low point at Lake Ladové Pleso 1927m
Ascent: 1100m
Descent: 1100m
Night at the mended Propraské Pleso mountain hut

DAY 5 - MENGUSOVSKA DOLINA - PROPASKI PLESO HUT

Skiing in the Mengusovska Dolina
Mount Rysy (2499m) round trip via Sedlo Vaha (2337m)
End in crampons
Ascent: 1000m
Descent: 1000m
Night at the mended Propraské Pleso mountain hut

DAY 6 - CROSSING TO THE MLYNIC DOLINA

Descent to Tigan (1420m)
Ascent to the Patria summit (2209m)
Descent to the Strbské Pleso resort (1370m)
Ascent to the Chata pod Soliskom refuge (1820m) by chairlift
Ascent: 800m
Descent: 1050m
Overnight stay at the mended Chata pod Soliskom refuge

DAY 7 - BYSTRE SELDO CROSSING

Bystré Seldo 2313 m crossing
Descent into the Mlynicka Dolina to Strbské Pleso station 1322 m
Ascent: 500 m
Descent: 1000 m
Train to Stary Somoveck line 183 journey 0h45
Ascent to the historic Bilikovacha inn 1271 m by Hrebienok funicular
Overnight at the guarded Bilikovatchata

DAY 8  - ASCENT OF THE MALA STUDENA DOLINA - BARABU SEKDI 

Ascent of the Mala Studena Dolina
Traverse of Barani Seldo (2393 m)
Descent to the Chata pri Zelenom Plese refuge (1549 m)
Ascent: 1100 m
Descent: 850 m
Overnight at the manded Zelenom refuge

DAY 9 - TATRANSKI MATLIARE - PROPAD

Descent to Tatranské Matliare 900m
Ascent: 0m
Descent: 650m
Taxi to Tatranska Lomnica train station
Train to Propad
Overnight at Propad Hotel Europa

DAY 10 - TRAIN POPRAD-BRATISLAVA et RETOUR PARIS ou ZURICH

Train to Bratislava
Free time in Bratislava
Train to Bratislava Petrzalka Station
Train from Bratislava Petrzalka to Zurich or Paris

JOUR  11 - ARRIVAL IN PARIS OR ZURICH

The itininerary will be adapted according to weather conditions, mountain conditions and participants . Ultimately, Jean-René and Jean-Marc remain the sole judges of the programme to be adopted based on safety requirements

Train times and ticket prices from Zurich are to be confirmed, but the two-day round-trip train journey cannot be compressed.

Highlights
The "ski train" is an innovative, environmentally friendly concept that allows for a historical, sporting, and cultural experience.
Four stars for this stay: *unique skiing in the heart of the Tatras, *quality hotels and mountain huts, *exceptional natural sites, *original logistics
Accessible tour with stops in mended mountain huts and mountain inns
Beautiful skiing excursions in a beautiful environment with moderate difficulty
Characterful mountains protected by the Tatra National Park on the Slovak and Polish sides
Unique and remarkable "Transtatras" electric railway, sometimes with racks
Train journey from Zurich included.
Plan B by train possible in case of bad weather

Level required
A well-balanced and undemanding raid, with a maximum ascent of 1,100 meters, non-glaciated terrain, and some mountain passes can be crossed with crampons depending on the conditions. Plan B, including a train stopover, is possible in case of bad weather. Small backpacks are available as the accommodation is comfortable, and picnics are provided at the lodges. However, experience in ski touring is essential.
Make sure you have the ability to participate to this type of ski trip. if you have any doubt or if you need any further information about the trip, feel free to contact Jean-Marc Pic : 06 80 42 59 47 (picjeanmarc@gmail.com).

The Price Includes
Guidance by Jean René Minelli en Jean-Marc Pic, Mountain Guides / full board accommodation / snacks during the hike / train travel from Zurich (base at €500) and transports during the stay, group equipment, avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe.

The price does not include
Repatriation assistance insurance, rescue costs and/or cancellation insurance / transport to the meeting point, drinks, ski equipment, and any taxis.

Accommodation
5 nights in a hut with staff in a room or dormitory, 3 nights in a hotel in a double room, and two nights on the night train (round trip).
Food
Full board with lunchbox.

Meeting point : Meet on Thursday, March 19th at Zurich train station at the end of the day at 9:00 p.m.
Access :

How to participate
Fill in the registration form via the ‘s’inscrire à ce voyage ’ button at the top of this page and send us a 30% deposit. The balance is due 30 days before departure. For credit card payments, please contact us by phone. If you have a premium credit card (such as Visa Premier or Mastercard Gold), please note that it may provide you for cancelation insurance only if you pay with it.
Please feel free to contact SERAC on +33 (0)476 864 684 for any information regarding your registration, insurance or formalities.

Formalities :
You must have a valid passport :
-  ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago.
- have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area (the expiry date does not need to be within 10 years of the date of issue).
Repatriation assistance insurance, rescue costs insurance are mandatory

Equipment : crampons, ice axe, harness, 30/40 liter pack, ski touring gear, warm clothing, avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe (please let us know if you would like to borrow this equipment).
Maps: 1:50,000 Hohe Tatras N°113 VKU Ski und Wanderkarte Vojensky Kartograficky

Quelques photos comme un avant goût du voyage...

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