Pioana Brasov

The legend of Dracula looms large here in the Carpathian Mountains, but a visit to Bram Castle, the Count’s reputed home, is more challenging than the slopes. The legend of Dracula looms large here in the Carpathian Mountains, but a visit to Bram Castle, the Count’s reputed home, is more challenging than the slopes. The skiing, served by a clutch of lifts, including a couple of cable cars and a gondola, is really only good for learners, who benefit from easy slopes that come at a ridiculously low cost. There are beginner slopes in the village and on the mountain top plateau and it’s easy to progress to the main slopes and the long blue all the way down.

Tuition is friendly and reported to be good. It, along with equipment rental and lift passes, is cheap (particularly if you get a complete tour op package). Despite tourists coming here since 1895, the current resort is purpose-built, but in a haphazard eastern European way that’s good fun. A number of hotels have been refurbished and it’s more comfortable than you might imagine. There are traditional restaurants offering local cuisine, and plenty of cheap bars and a disco. You can also sample the delights of Brasov Citadel with music by members of the Brasov Philharmonic, or the Dacian Barn where gypsy musicians play as you eat barbecue and swill cheap brandy. Transfers are easy from Bucharest, 180km away.

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