Catskiing & Catboarding · Shar Mountains · North Macedonia
UNTRACKED
POWDER
No lift queues. No mass tourism. Just untouched nature, decades of local expertise, and over 4,000 vertical meters of raw Balkan wilderness daily, waiting for your first tracks.
all-inclusive · Catskiing / Catboarding
The Destination
WHY NORTH
MACEDONIA
In the Shar Mountains above Popova Šapka, at 2,700 meters, our partner runs Europe’s very first catskiing & catboarding operation since the early 1990s. Over 30 years of on-mountain expertise, built by a local team that knows every line, every bowl and every hidden snow pocket of these mountains, and that insider knowledge is baked into every day of your trip. RAW.MOUNTAIN has been there every season since 2018!
Not part of a ski resort. Pure backcountry. The snowcat accesses terrain no lift system ever could. From steep 50° bowls to mellow tree runs. No ski resort politics. No crowded pistes. No compromises.
What makes RAW.MOUNTAIN the better choice: comparable catski operators in Europe charge €2.700–3.300 for just 5 days, often with larger groups and less personal service. With us you get a weekly package of 6 full days of catskiing & catboarding from €1.990, all-inclusive, in small groups with a dedicated guide! One extra day alone is already worth the difference. The price isn’t lower because we cut corners, it’s lower because North Macedonia simply isn’t Chamonix or the Arlberg.
Getting here is straightforward: the easiest connections to Skopje run via Zurich, Frankfurt or Istanbul. From many European cities, WizzAir flies direct to Skopje at very affordable prices. Once you land, we take care of everything.
Your hotel sits at around 1,700m, giving you nearly 1,000 vertical meters of guaranteed fun right from the door, before the snowcat even starts climbing.
4,000 vertical meters per day is guaranteed, and regularly topped. That’s significantly more than most heliboarding or heliskiing operations can deliver.
Our partner on the ground has been running catboarding since the early 1990s, true pioneers of the sport, long before it became fashionable anywhere else in Europe.
Nearly a decade of personal presence on this mountain. We accompany our guests from first contact to final run. Your maximum fun is our only mission.
In Action
RAW FOOTAGE
What Awaits You
CATSKIING &
CATBOARDING
Steep Bowls
40–50° sustained pitches with consistent snow coverage. The kind of line you’ll be talking about for years. We start at the top and decide the descent based on the snow of the day.
Tree Runs
Tight, playful lines through old-growth forest. Perfect for afternoon laps when the open bowls have had enough sun. Protected from wind, always good snow.
Couloirs
Natural couloirs channeled between rock bands, from confidence-builders to committing lines. Your guide selects based on your ability and the day’s stability.
Natural Features
Wind-sculpted gullies, pillows, and natural hits that turn every run into a creative session. No two days are the same, the mountain rearranges itself with every storm.
Powder Days
Unlike the manicured Alps, this mountain delivers genuine powder conditions throughout the season. When it storms overnight, you’re first in line, no crowds, no tracked-out slopes.
The Snowcat
Your shuttle, your base camp, your heated refuge between runs. No lift queues, no waiting. The cat drops you at the top, you ride to the bottom, repeat. Maximum time on snow.
What’s Included
THE PACKAGE
- ✓6 full days of catskiing & catboarding
- ✓7 nights accommodation (3-star mountain hotel + 1 night 4-star Skopje)
- ✓7× breakfast, 6× dinner at the hotel
- ✓Daily mountain lunch & snacks on the cat
- ✓Airport transfers Skopje ↔ Popova Šapka
- ✓Professional guide, 30+ years local operator experience
- ✓Wax station access – your board tuned every evening
- ✓Hotel SPA access (pool, sauna)
- ✓Dinner in Skopje on departure
- ✓Full on-site logistics managed for you
- ✓Avalanche safety equipment available on request (rental fee applies)
- ✓All national park fees included
Not included: Flights · Alcoholic beverages at dinner · Optional massages · Avalanche equipment (LVS, shovel, probe, airbag, available to rent on site)
Why RAW.MOUNTAIN Wins on Value
The math is simple: €700–1.300 less per person, smaller groups, and a guide who knows this mountain inside out. We want adventure to be affordable for you!
Flexible Options
- → Individual Dates, book your own week, late December to mid-April
- → Solo or Group, come alone, with friends, or as a crew
- → Single Rooms, available on request (small supplement)
- → Shorter Trips, 4–5 day versions available, price on request
- → Mixed Ski & Snowboard, catskiing and catboarding, all terrain
Getting to Skopje
The easiest connections to Skopje run via Zurich, Frankfurt or Istanbul. From many European cities, WizzAir flies direct to Skopje at very competitive prices. For North American riders: comparable catskiing & catboarding trips in Canada or Alaska start at $4.000–6.000 USD, before transatlantic flights. North Macedonia delivers world-class terrain at a fraction of the cost.
Why is the price so fair?
FREERIDE
SHOULD STAY
AFFORDABLE.
Catskiing has a reputation for being expensive.
One reason is the structure behind many offerings: agencies, middlemen, and multiple layers between the guest and the local operator.
We work differently.
Since 2018, we have worked directly with the same team on the ground — people who have been operating in this region for over 30 years. We know each other, we trust each other, and we work without detours.
That means fewer layers between you and the actual experience — and a fairer price as a result.
Add to that the lower operating costs on location compared to well-known freeride destinations like the Alps. That allows us to price fairly — without compromising on safety, organisation, or the experience on the mountain.
We believe catskiing does not have to be an exclusive luxury product. Above all, it should be one thing: a great experience in the mountains.
When To Go
SEASON
OVERVIEW
December
Season opens late December. Early powder, fewer people, shorter days. Perfect for those who want the mountain entirely to themselves.
January
Prime conditions. Cold temps lock in the snowpack. Deep powder frequent. Peak season for catskiing & catboarding, book early.
February
The sweet spot. Maximum snowpack, longer days, stable conditions. Statistically the best month for consecutive powder days.
March
Unlike the Alps, fresh snowfall remains frequent well into March. Powder alerts are a regular occurrence, not a lucky bonus. Bluebird mornings, surprise storm cycles, and still-cold temps make for exceptional catskiing & catboarding.
April
Don’t be fooled by the calendar. New snow hits regularly in April here, spring sun by day, fresh powder by night. Often delivers some of the best riding of the entire season. A hidden gem for late-season powder hunters.
Custom
You choose the dates. We handle the rest. Individual catskiing & catboarding trips available throughout the season, reach out to discuss your ideal week.
The Process
HOW IT
WORKS
Get in Touch
Send us your preferred dates and group size. We’ll confirm availability and answer any questions.
Book Your Spot
Secure your place with a 20% deposit. We handle all accommodation, guide, and snowcat bookings.
Book Your Flight
Fly to Skopje via Zurich, Frankfurt or Istanbul, or direct from many European cities with WizzAir. We’ll send routing tips once booked.
Arrive & Ride
We pick you up at Skopje airport. From there, everything is taken care of. Just bring your board.
Best Week of Your Life
6 days of catskiing & catboarding on untracked powder, great food, good company, and memories that don’t fade.
Most Popular Package
Sample
Itinerary
Saturday to Saturday — our recommended 8-day programme in the Shar Mountains
Want to stay shorter or longer? We tailor every trip individually.
Book Your TripMore from the Mountain
LIFE AT BASE CAMP
Got Questions?
FAQ
The Person Behind RAW.MOUNTAIN
MEET
FERDI
Ferdi ChristPartner:
Lib TechBent MetalThirtyTwoOakleySnowboarderMBMMy name is Ferdi Christ and I was born in the heart of the Allgäu Alps. Snowboarding has been part of my life for over 20 years – and from the very start, it was the feeling of freedom in freeride that got me hooked. Deep powder slopes, untouched lines and the feeling of absolute freedom with every single turn.
For many years I worked in the snowboard industry, exploring all kinds of mountains and freeride destinations on trips around the world. But over time, overcrowded ski resorts just became too much – I kept searching for the real, original adventure away from the mainstream. That’s exactly why I ended up staying in North Macedonia – for me, the perfect definition of freeride. Breathtaking mountains, untouched nature, limitless possibilities, and one of the few truly affordable adventures left in the world.
With RAW.MOUNTAIN I combine my German thoroughness ;-) and professional organisation with excellent personal service and the unique Balkan vibe that you simply can’t put into words – you have to experience it yourself.
My team and I are here for you 24/7 to give you a trip like no other – authentic, extraordinary and unforgettable.
I’m looking forward to welcoming you at RAW.MOUNTAIN!
BY FAR THE BEST CHOICE FOR
CATBOARDING IN EUROPE
We don’t say this lightly. Over the years, RAW.MOUNTAIN has brought hundreds of riders to the Shar Mountains, skiers, snowboarders, first-timers and seasoned freeriders alike. Every single one has come home with a smile on their face and powder on their mind. This mountain, this operator, and this setup is simply in a league of its own in Europe. There is nowhere else on the continent where you get this combination of terrain quality, snowcat access, operator experience, and value, all in one place.
Ready to Ride?
LET’S MAKE
IT HAPPEN
Spots are limited and fill up fast. Whether you have questions or you’re ready to book your catskiing & catboarding week, get in touch and we’ll sort out the details together.
Or reach us directly: booking@raw-mountain.com
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