One thing did change this autumn. Since 1 October 2026 a new bypass takes the DN1, the main road from Bucharest to the slopes, around the town of Comarnic. It helps there, but the rest of the Prahova Valley (Sinaia, Bușteni, Azuga, Predeal) stays a single lane each way.
When the slopes open
Slopes open when there's enough snow, natural or artificial, so there's no fixed start date. Last season Poiana Brașov opened officially on 2 January 2026, and the deputy mayor said wind and temperatures had made snowmaking hard. The winter before was colder and snowier, and skiing at Poiana Brașov and Sinaia lasted until about 1 April 2025.
So check each resort's announcements before you book, and don't plan an early-December ski trip assuming the slopes will be open.
Where to ski near Bucharest
The Prahova Valley resorts, Sinaia, Bușteni, Azuga and Predeal, all sit on the DN1; Sinaia is about 123 km from Bucharest.
Poiana Brașov is above Brașov, which is about 170 km from Bucharest.
Transalpina Ski Resort is at Voineasa, in Vâlcea county. In winter you reach it via the DN7 at Brezoi, then Malaia, Voineasa and Obârșia Lotrului; the access road is kept cleared. A gondola of about 2.9 km climbs from 1,350 m to 1,800 m, a drag lift goes up to 2,000 m, and there are 7 slopes for all levels. It isn't the Transalpina high road (DN67C), which is closed in winter.
Arena Platoș, at Păltiniș near Sibiu, is a newer ski area.
What a lift pass costs
| Resort | Adult, one day | Child | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sinaia | 210 lei weekdays · 230 lei weekends | 135 / 150 lei (ages 5–12) | 2025–2026 |
| Poiana Brașov | 240 lei | 140 lei (ages 6–12) | 2025–2026 |
In Sinaia, under-5s ski free with a paying adult, and the weekend price applies during holidays and school-holiday weeks. Prices for 2026–2027 are announced before the season.
The drive: the DN1, the Comarnic bypass and the alternatives
For most of the way through the Prahova Valley the DN1 has one lane in each direction, and at weekends or in winter conditions long queues build between Comarnic, Sinaia, Bușteni, Azuga and Predeal.
The Comarnic bypass opened at 14:00 on Thursday 1 October 2026. It's almost 6 km long, one lane each way, and passes Comarnic on the west side, joining the DN1 at two roundabouts, with a 380 m bridge-viaduct over the Prahova river and the Ploiești–Brașov railway. It cost 516 million lei, according to Prahova County Council. It takes through traffic out of Comarnic town, but cars rejoin the DN1 at its end, so the stretch from Sinaia to Predeal stays as it was.
When the DN1 is blocked, the alternatives are the DN71 from Bucharest through Târgoviște to Sinaia, the DN1A from Ploiești over Cheia to Brașov, and, for Poiana Brașov, the DN73 from Pitești through Câmpulung, Bran and Râșnov. Check live traffic on the Romanian Police's Infotrafic before you leave, and aim for Friday evening or early Saturday out and a return before Sunday afternoon. The new speed displays along the way are explained in our post on DN1 speed cameras.
In the mountains in winter
- Winter tyres are required when the road is covered in snow, ice or frost; the rule depends on road conditions, not on a date. Chains can be required where signposted. More in our winter driving guide.
- Keep the tank full, the phone charged and warm clothes in the car: a blocked queue on a mountain road can last hours.
- Romania has zero tolerance for alcohol. After the slopes, the driver doesn't drink at all, mulled wine included.
School holidays: winter break and the 2027 "ski week"
The school winter break runs from 23 December 2026 to 10 January 2027. The mobile mid-year holiday, which Romanians call the ski holiday, is one week set by each county between 15 February and 7 March 2027, so check which week your county has. Holiday weeks fill up first, so book early. Coming for Christmas? Our guide to Romania's Christmas markets 2026 pairs well with a few days on the slopes.
Renting a car for a ski trip
We meet you at the Otopeni or Băneasa airport terminal (€20 / €15 each way), or you collect the car from our base in Bucharest. Outside working hours there's an extra €10 per trip, and public holidays (25–26 December, 1–2 January) count as Sundays.
Mileage is unlimited, accident & theft cover and the road vignette are included, and the security deposit is €50 on most cars. The first additional driver is free, which helps when you share the DN1 queues, and so is the child seat. Longer rentals cost less per day.
For a ski trip, look at the Ford Kuga or the Renault Arkana, both SUVs, or the Ford Focus Estate, an estate with more room for boots and bags.
From November, our cars run on winter or all-season tyres.
Details on meeting you at the airport are on our Otopeni airport pickup page.
FAQ
When does Romania's 2026–2027 ski season start?
When there's enough snow, natural or artificial. There's no fixed date; last season Poiana Brașov opened on 2 January 2026.
How much is a lift pass in Sinaia?
Last season (2025–2026) an adult one-day pass cost 210 lei on weekdays and 230 lei at weekends. The 2026–2027 prices hadn't been announced by the end of September 2026.
How much is a lift pass in Poiana Brașov?
Last season an adult one-day pass cost 240 lei and a child's (6–12) 140 lei. New prices come before the season.
When did the Comarnic bypass open?
At 14:00 on Thursday 1 October 2026. It takes traffic out of Comarnic, but the rest of the Prahova Valley stays single-lane.
When is Romania's ski holiday in 2027?
The mobile mid-year school holiday is one week, set by each county, between 15 February and 7 March 2027.
Do I need winter tyres to drive to the mountains?
Yes, whenever the road is covered in snow, ice or frost. The rule depends on the road, not on a date.
In short
- The season starts when there's snow; last winter Poiana Brașov opened on 2 January 2026.
- Last season's adult day pass: 210–230 lei in Sinaia, 240 lei in Poiana Brașov.
- The Comarnic bypass opened on 1 October 2026, but the Prahova Valley is still single-lane.
- Winter tyres are required on snow and ice; carry a full tank and warm clothes.
- School holidays: 23 December–10 January, plus a county-set ski week between 15 February and 7 March 2027.
Heading to the slopes? See our cars.
Sources: Poiana Brașov season opening, 2 January 2026 (HotNews) · Sinaia lift-pass prices · Poiana Brașov lift-pass prices · Comarnic bypass opening on 1 October (Observatorul Prahovean) · Transalpina ski area (Vâlcea Turistică).
