Wintertime Entertainment in Sinaia

We invite you on a trip to Sinaia, at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains, about 120 kilometers north of Bucharest.

Ana-Maria Cononovici, 07.02.2013, 13:28

Sinaia was first mentioned in documents in 1690, when a group of peasants in the service of local boyars came to settle around the Sinaia monastery.It has long since been known and appreciated by winter sports aficionados, and vintage snapshots featuring bobsleigh or ski contests from early 20thcentury stand proof of that.

The mayor of Sinaia, Vlad Oprea, has told us why this place is worth visiting: “There are plenty of reasons for coming here, one of these can be the extremely rich offer Sinaia has for tourists. Boasting over 20 kilometers of ski slopes, the place is a real heaven for winter sports lovers. There is a brand new slope, fitted with snow cannons, that goes down into the resort. At its foot there lies a fun-park with a trampoline for extreme sports enthusiasts; there are also nursery slopes and snow tubing facilities. The resort has also a skating rink, very much appreciated by tourists.”

Sinaia has more than 20 slopes with various degrees of difficulty, from those for expert skiers (such as Carp, Zade, Tarle, Papagal, Valea Mioritei), for advanced skiers(such as Furnica, Drumul de Vara, Scandurar, Valea Dorului) or nursery slopes, like those in Valea Soarelui. Most of these slopes are fitted with cable transportation facilities. Radu Miscuci, owner of an ATV center in Sinaia, has mentioned some of the ski slopes he likes the most here.

“Valea Dorului is a very beautiful place and my favourite slope. There are also other good slopes starting at 2,000 meters or at 14 hundred meters, like the Carp Slope, which is destined for advanced skiers. The Summer Way is a less difficult ski track, then there is another one also located in Valea Dorului; each of these are fitted with chairlifts, offering excellent conditions for skiers.”

In recent years tourists have indulged another form of entertainment in Sinaia: ATV rides. Here is Radu Miscuci with more on the resort’s ATV entertainment.

”Sinaia is a very beautiful setting with breathtaking landscapes. And if the weather is fine, tourists can really enjoy this winter wonderland with snow-loaded trees and outstanding views. However, in winter, snow is limiting ATV access, as these vehicles mainly take on forest roads. In winter, only three roads offer good conditions for ATV rides; one is the national road winding up to an altitude of 1,400 meters, and unless blocked by the snow, one can also take the old road. Then there is another route leading up to Poiana Stanii and one going right behind the Peles Castle, which doubles the DN1 motorway to Busteni. In winter, there are one hour and a half walks, but more routes like these become available in summer, and they can take up to six-seven hours.”

If you want to rent an ATV, or quad bike, as you like to call it, you need to hold a B-category driving license, and to have basic knowledge of how to drive a quad bike. Quite often, rental firms may have an accompanying guide on offer, apart from the specific equipment: helmets, gloves and overall.

You can also use snowboards in Sinaia. If you do not have your own equipment, you can rent snowboards in Sinaia, at the foot of the telegondola. The routes are rather scarce and you need ski slopes, which are well covered in snow.

If winter sports do not appeal to you, you can visit Sinaia for its cultural temptations it has on offer. Speaking again is the mayor of Sinaia, Vlad Oprea :

”Those who do not come for sports, can also come for culture, since here they can find the Peles Castle (the Romanian royal family’s former summer residence), the Sinaia monastery, the Casino which is the venue for lots of activities, ranging from the staging of plays to temporary or permanent exhibitions, as well as the George Enescu Memorial House.”

Sinaia is ready to welcome its guests, irrespective of the season. It also comes up with a rich offer of hotels and guesthouses as well as with a diversified cuisine, ranging from the traditional Romanian one to Mexican Swiss or Italian food.