Winter Tourist Season in Vlasic Begins with Ski Pass Launch and Popular “Sankanje” Event

Published on December 13, 2025

The winter tourist season in Vlasic, one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s premier ski destinations, officially began yesterday with a ceremonial program at Babanovac. The event marked the opening of the ski season and featured the popular “Sankanje” event, an exciting activity for visitors of all ages. This year, the Central Bosnia Canton (CBC) has made substantial preparations to welcome tourists with a range of activities, new services, and special events designed to make this winter season one of the best yet.

During the opening ceremony, the CBC Tourist Board unveiled a fresh logo and slogan for the Central Bosnia tourist destination, along with the launch of the new official website for winter centers in the region . In addition, new ski passes for the Vlasic Sports and Recreation Center were presented, signaling the beginning of a well-organized winter season in the region. Although there was no snow during the ceremony, the enthusiasm of the organizers and visitors set a positive tone for the season ahead.

Tourism as a Key Sector for the Central Bosnia Canton Economy

The Prime Minister of CBC, Tahir Lendo, addressed the importance of tourism to the local economy, highlighting the sector’s growing role in providing jobs and boosting local businesses. He emphasized that the CBC government has allocated funds to support the region’s winter centers, with specific incentives designed to aid in preparations for the winter season.

“This year, our Ministry of Economy has also prepared certain incentives for the winter centers. It’s not a large sum, but it’s important because it can cover some costs or help with preparations for the tourist season. Analyses show that the year was extremely good when it comes to tourism, with an increase in overnight stays and visits, and we hope that this trend will continue and intensify,” Lendo said.

The positive outlook on winter tourism reflects the rising popularity of Vlasic and its surrounding areas, with more visitors flocking to the region each year for both leisure and sports tourism.

High Demand for Accommodation and Record-Breaking Overnight Stays

According to Miroslav Matosevic, director of the CBC Tourist Board, the demand for accommodation on Vlasic is expected to reach new heights this season. With more than 2,500 registered beds in accommodation facilities on the mountain, the demand has already exceeded expectations, with bookings filling up quickly.

Matosevic shared that, based on current bookings, the region is poised to surpass 10,000 overnight stays just over the weekend. This shows a remarkable growth in visitor numbers for the region, reflecting both the increasing appeal of the destination and the rising reputation of Vlasic as a top winter retreat in the Balkans.

“On Vlasic, an extra bed is in demand; there are just over 2,500 beds in registered accommodation facilities on the mountain. If we consider that this is only one quarter of the total capacity and that these are fully booked, that means 5,000 realized overnight stays, plus overnight stays in other facilities. We hope that just on Vlasic mountain this weekend we will have more than 10,000 overnight stays,” Matosevic explained.

Vlasic: A Popular and Affordable Winter Destination

Kenan Dautovic, the mayor of Travnik, emphasized the accessibility and appeal of Vlasic as a “people’s winter center.” He noted that Travnik is a popular destination, with prices remaining affordable despite the increasing demand.

“Travnik is a popular destination compared with other winter centers. In a way, we have remained a people’s winter center, with prices that people can afford,” Dautovic said. He also pointed to the continuing investments in Vlasic by private investors, who see the potential for growth in the region despite existing challenges with infrastructure.

Snow Production Ready for the Season

The success of any ski season depends significantly on the snow conditions, and Goran Saric, owner of a company responsible for vertical transport on Vlasic, assured visitors that the snowmaking system was fully operational. As soon as temperatures drop below zero, artificial snow production will begin, ensuring that the ski slopes are ready for use.

“We are used to being patient; the snowmaking system has been repaired and is ready. We are just waiting for sub-zero temperatures, and we will start making snow at the first opportunity. It’s not the first time, but it’s not too late – ideally, we start the season between December 20th and 25th,” Saric said.

This preparation for artificial snowmaking underscores the region’s commitment to providing a consistent and enjoyable ski experience, even when natural snowfall is not enough to cover the slopes.

A Promising Winter Season Ahead

Samer Dolovac, director of the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Travnik, welcomed the guests and invited them to enjoy the benefits of the region’s fresh air and scenic beauty. He expressed hope for a successful and enjoyable winter season, with ample activities to cater to visitors’ needs.

“Today, at the opening of the season, guests had the opportunity to come out of the fog and breathe freely, just as we are doing on this beautiful mountain of ours. They should relax, rest, and enjoy the benefits and good entertainment programs, whether daytime or nighttime,” Dolovac stated.

As the winter season progresses, Vlasic and the surrounding areas of Central Bosnia Canton are expected to continue to attract thousands of tourists, boosting both the local economy and the region’s reputation as a top winter destination.