At the top of the Three Border Peak — 2,366 meters, Kosovo behind you, Albania to the left, Montenegro ahead — you understand why this region is drawing backcountry skiers from across Europe. Below stretches the Dobërdol valley, trackless and white, with no lift towers, no crowds, and no noise except wind.
This is ski touring in the Accursed Mountains.
The winter of 2025/26 was one of the best in recent memory for the region, and the guests who experienced it with Balkan Natural Adventure (BNA) are already planning their return. Whether joining a fully guided multi-country ski tour or navigating a self-guided winter route independently, travelers consistently described a season that exceeded expectations — in terrain, in snow, and in the people looking after them.
BNA has a five-star rating across Google, TripAdvisor, and Facebook, and has been featured in The Financial Times, The Guardian, the BBC, and Süddeutsche Zeitung. What follows is the story of the 2025/26 winter season, told through the guests who lived it.
Although snow arrived slightly later than usual, when it finally came it transformed the Accursed Mountains completely. February brought stable conditions, abundant fresh powder, and long sunny days — creating ideal terrain for ski touring across Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro.
British adventurer Barnaby Parker, a verified Local Guide with extensive mountain experience, described the conditions after completing a guided multi-country ski tour with BNA:
“The mountains themselves are stunning, up to about 2,600m high — the snow was plentiful too. Thank you BNA!”
Key routes including the Dobërdol traverse, the Gacaferi playground above Deçan, and the Three Border Peak (Trekufiri) proved especially popular this season, offering challenging but accessible terrain for groups at a range of levels. The range reaches its highest point at Gjeravica — 2,656 meters, the highest peak in Kosovo — making this one of the most rewarding ski touring destinations in southeastern Europe and one that remains almost entirely unknown outside the adventure travel community.
One of the most consistent themes across all guest feedback this season was the exceptional level of organization provided by BNA. Whether travelers were joining a guided ski touring expedition in the Peaks of the Balkans or navigating a self-guided winter itinerary independently, every logistical detail was handled with precision and care — transfers, border permits, accommodation bookings, and luggage transport between guesthouses.
Manfred Haas, who completed a self-guided ski tour this winter, highlighted the team’s coordination:
“We had a perfectly organized trip. All transfers, accommodations, and permits were excellently organized. Many thanks to Anila and her team!”
Barnaby Parker similarly praised BNA’s approach from the very beginning of the planning process:
“The pre-tour communication and organisation was excellent, and the tour itself was exceptional with a knowledgeable guide and comfortable, well-located guest houses.”
Austrian traveler Christian Stoimaier echoed these sentiments, noting both the friendliness and the precision with which his travel requests were handled:
“Perfect organization and execution of the trip! Especially friendly communication and coordination of travel requests. Everything was excellent and I would book again anytime.”
Winter adventures in remote mountain terrain don’t always go to plan — weather shifts, conditions change, and the Balkans demand adaptability. What set BNA apart this season was how the team responded when challenges arose.
Ethie Reed completed the full 10-day self-guided Peaks of the Balkans trek this winter and encountered unexpected difficulties along the route. The BNA team’s response left a lasting impression:
“It was a phenomenal trip and BNA were excellent. Edmond was an incredible help when we ran into some misadventures along the way, and the logistical support provided by these guys was second to none. I would wholeheartedly recommend BNA if you are considering doing the Peaks of the Balkans trek.”
Reed gave BNA an unreserved recommendation for anyone considering the trail. The Peaks of the Balkans in winter is increasingly popular as a multi-day ski touring route, crossing three countries on a single journey — and BNA’s ground support makes it genuinely achievable for experienced tourers who want to explore the route independently.
What makes Balkan Natural Adventure stand out isn’t just logistics — it’s the people. Several guests this season specifically named individual team members whose dedication made their journeys exceptional.
Cony, who organized a last-minute Peaks of the Balkans trip through BNA, was particularly impressed by two members of the team. Coordinator Alba handled everything remotely with speed and care, while on the trail, guide Gzim proved equally memorable:
“Alba helped us and organized the trip brilliantly — always reliable, prompt, and friendly. And then we set off with Gzim. The man is simply fantastic — cheerful, confident, extremely organized, and very experienced. With him, you can overcome any mountain!”
Annette Kueser, a seasoned Local Guide with 20 reviews, found herself relying heavily on BNA’s real-time support when unexpected weather forced multiple itinerary changes mid-trek. Alba was always reachable and helped re-route the group daily as sections became impassable. Kueser also praised BNA’s handling of transfers and mountain hut bookings, and gave the team a 10 out of 10 rating:
“Cannot imagine having done this trek without the help of Alba and her team. Alba was always available, incredibly responsive, and helped us figure out what our routes would be daily.”
This level of on-the-ground support is built into every BNA itinerary — whether guests are on a guided ski tour in the Accursed Mountains or a fully self-guided winter traverse.
Balkan Natural Adventure offers two main formats for ski touring in the region, suited to different experience levels and preferences.
Ski Touring in the Accursed Mountains — 8 days.
This fully guided tour crosses Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro via some of the most remote winter terrain in Europe, reaching peaks above 2,300 meters including the Three Border Peak, Gacaferi, and the Dobërdol range. All transfers, luggage transport between guesthouses, full-board mountain meals, and certified local guides are included. Featured in The Guardian and Süddeutsche Zeitung. Departs from Prishtina Airport.
Ski Touring in Kosovo, Albania & Montenegro.
A broader multi-day expedition covering the Sharr Mountains as well as the Accursed Mountains — some of the most remote off-piste terrain in the Western Balkans, including areas rarely visited by outside skiers. Flexible itinerary, certified guides, and full logistical support.
Both tours depart from Prishtina Airport, accessible from most European capitals in under three hours. BNA also offers custom winter itineraries for private groups — contact the team to discuss dates, group size, and experience level.
The Accursed Mountains and the wider Peaks of the Balkans region are one of the last truly wild alpine landscapes on the continent. Unlike the crowded resorts of the Alps or Dolomites, this region offers something increasingly rare:
Untouched snow and uncrowded valleys — no lift queues, no groomed pistes, no tourist infrastructure getting in the way
Authentic Balkan hospitality — family-run mountain guesthouses, home-cooked meals, and genuine warmth from communities that rarely see outside visitors in winter
Cross-border adventure — a single journey through Kosovo, Albania, and Montenegro, crossing mountain frontiers that were closed to outsiders for decades
Terrain that rewards curiosity — open slopes, forest corridors, high ridgelines, and remote valleys that most European skiers have never seen and likely never will.
The Guardian called it skiing where you see more countries than other skiers. The Financial Times sent a journalist and a photographer. Süddeutsche Zeitung described it as a wild mountain range on the border of Kosovo and Albania waiting for discoverers.
As one guest put it simply: “Everything was excellent — I would book again anytime.”
BNA has been covered by some of the world’s most respected travel publications:
The Guardian “Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro converge in the Accursed Mountains, offering skiing days where you see more countries than you do other skiers.”
The Financial Times “The Accursed Mountains have been closed to outsiders for seven decades. Now they are opening up to hikers.”
BBC Travel “Coverage of BNA guide and Everest summiteer Nives Merlak.”
Travel + Leisure ” The Peaks of the Balkans: a glimpse of a fascinating, history-rich region.”
The 2026 winter season proved once again that this corner of the Balkans is one of Europe’s most underrated ski touring destinations — and that BNA is the right partner for anyone ready to discover it.
Book or enquire:
Ski Touring in the Accursed Mountains – 8 days.
Ski Touring in Kosovo, Albania & Montenegro.
Contact BNA for a custom itinerary — info@bnadventure.com · +383 49 66 11 05
Balkan Natural Aventure is leading tour oprator in the region. We were featured to major newspapers and hold a partner status with travelife certifier.
Links
Destinations
Locations
Balkan Natural Adventure Sh.P.K
Edit Durham, nr 7
30000 Peje, Republic of Kosovo
Balkan Natural Adventure Albania
Rr. Milto Tutulani nr 26/8
1010 Tirana, Albania
