Let’s be honest — when you think of ski holidays, Romania probably isn’t top of the list. But after a week in Poiana Brașov, we’re here to tell you it definitely should be.

This charming little resort tucked away in the Carpathian Mountains is the perfect pick for beginner or intermediate skiers, especially if you're looking to ski without selling a kidney.

✈️ Getting There: A Surprisingly Easy Snow Escape

You can fly direct from Liverpool or Manchester to Bucharest, making this a super convenient winter getaway. From Bucharest, it's around 2.5 to 3 hours by train to Brașov, with tickets costing just £4–£7 if you book in advance.

Once you're in Brașov, it's an easy bus ride (about 45 mins) or a 30-minute taxi to Poiana Brașov. A taxi will set you back around £15–£20, which is worth it if you're lugging skis and winter gear.

Bonus travel tip: Brașov recently opened its own airport, but at the moment, flights are limited and mainly run from London. Hopefully, that opens up soon — because direct flights there would make this place even easier to hack!

💸 Snowy Slopes, Not-So-Scary Prices

🛷 Ski Hire & Lift Pass Costs: The Numbers You Need

Ski Hire:

In Poiana Brașov, ski rental prices are refreshingly affordable. Here's what you can expect:

Complete ski set (skis, boots, poles): Around 100–130 RON/day (£17–£22) for adults
Children's ski set: Around 80–110 RON/day (£14–£19)
Premium or race-level equipment: Around 190–270 RON/day (£33–£47)
Helmet rental: Approximately 30–60 RON/day (£5–£10)

Lift Passes:

1-day pass: 220 RON (£38) for adults, 130 RON (£22) for children
Half-day pass: From 90 RON (£15) for adults, 55 RON (£9) for children
3-day pass: 510 RON (£88) for adults, 265 RON (£46) for children

These prices make Poiana Brașov an excellent choice for a cost-effective ski holiday.

🏔️ Slopes for Days (and Some Chaos Too)

If you're a first-timer, Poiana Brașov has gentle, forgiving runs near town that are ideal for finding your ski legs. Once you're more confident (or just fancy a challenge), head up the mountain for longer, more scenic routes.

Be warned though — the lifts can get hectic at peak times. Think: elbows out, queues, and a bit of friendly chaos. But once you're at the top, it's worth it. Snowy forests, mountain views, and lots of whooshing down the slopes. Bliss.

🛷 Snow Fun Without Skis: Season Hill, Poiana

Not skiing? No problem. Or maybe you just want a break from the boots? Season Hill in Poiana is a brilliant shout. It’s a dedicated snow fun zone with sledging, tubing, and a conveyor-belt lift to save your legs.

Prices are refreshingly reasonable:

Tubing or sledging session (90 mins): around 50–60 RON (£8–£10)
Helmet hire: approx 20 RON (£3.50)

It’s great fun for kids and adults alike, and perfect for those après-ski afternoons when you want to stay outdoors but take it a little easier. We spent an afternoon there and it was a total highlight — lots of laughs, lots of snow, and no ski skills required!

🛏️ Where to Stay in Poiana Brașov

When it comes to accommodation, you’ve got two solid options: stay in Poiana Brașov itself for slope-side convenience, or stay in Brașov city for a more budget-friendly option, with buses running regularly between the two.

We’ve stayed in Poiana both times, and staying there means you're right next to the slopes. It's perfect if you want to avoid the hassle of carrying ski gear every day. You can easily roll out of bed and be at the lifts first thing — and there's no need to queue for ski equipment hire each day.

We've tried **two different accommodations** in Poiana. The first time, we stayed in a **self-catering Airbnb**. It was comfy, but we quickly realised that **Poiana doesn’t have big supermarkets**, so it wasn’t as easy to cook all our meals.The second time, we stayed at the **New Belvedere Hotel**, which is right on the beginner slope and a stone’s throw from the cable car station. We’d definitely recommend the hotel, as it was super convenient, and honestly, **eating out in Poiana is reasonably priced**. If you want to be close to the slopes and not worry about cooking, the hotel is a great choice.

If you decide to stay in Brașov city, you'll find cheaper options, but you'll need to take the regular buses between Brașov and Poiana (they run all day and night). It’s a bit more travel, but you’ll save a little cash and get to explore the charming city too!

🍷 Après-Ski, Bear Alerts & Dracula’s Castle

Off the slopes, the town itself is *seriously cute*. Think **snow globe vibes**, twinkly lights, steaming cups of mulled wine, and plenty of cosy bars.
One night, we got a bear alert on our phones. Yep, a real one. A bear was spotted outside the hotel — wild, right? We stayed indoors (obvs), but it added a little extra excitement to the evening.

Food-wise, there's loads of choice, but maybe skip the fine dining Romanian spots unless you're really into pork fat cubes. Stick with the casual eateries – they're cheaper, tastier, and come with less… gelatinous mystery meat.

One of our highlights was a trip to Bran Castle, a short drive away. It's the inspiration for Dracula's home and absolutely worth a visit. It's spooky, interesting, and full of bite-sized (literally) history. Bonus: the street food nearby is 👌

💡 Holiday Hackers Tips for Poiana Brașov

❄️ Go when there's guaranteed snow – it makes all the difference
🧑‍🏫 Book a ski lesson if you're new – they're cheap and genuinely helpful
🛷 Try snow tubing – it's hilarious and a good break from skiing
🐻 Bear alerts are real. Don't wander off into the woods after dark
🍽️ Be brave with food… or don’t. Traditional Romanian cuisine is an adventure on its own

🧳 Final Thoughts

Poiana Brașov is the perfect ski hack — especially for anyone wanting a snowy escape without blowing the budget. Great skiing, fairy tale vibes, unexpected bear sightings, and even a bit of Dracula lore? Yes please.

If you're planning a winter adventure with a twist, Romania's snowy secret might just be your new fave.

🎿 Hacking the Slopes: A Budget Ski Week in Poiana Brasov, Romania