Season: ski touring season is between December 15 and April 30
Ideal conditions are between: December and April
This is a pleasant, short and easy trek accessible to beginners (less physically able people) or novices who are just warming up to the sport of ski touring and would like to experience off-piste skiing. As it only takes a few hours to complete, and can be done within one morning or afternoon, the tour is also a perfect option for those who are short of time. It is not technically demanding, with no need for climbing crampons and an ice axe.
Lajštroch (1,602 m.a.s.l), the destination of the route, is a distinctive domed peak of the main ridge of the Low Tatras, located north-west of Čertovica.
The view of the north and the west is obscured by higher peaks, but the view of the south and the east is open and unobstructed, allowing you to fully enjoy the scenery of Čierny Váh stretching from Veľký Bok and Veľká Vápenica to Kráľova Hoľa.
The route starts in the Čertovica saddle and follows the red-blazed trail. You have the most vertical meters to overcome right at the beginning, when the route takes you up along the ski lift. Once you get above the ski lift, the route continues along the ridge and becomes less steep, offering stunning views over both sides of the ridge.
Since the descent is done in the off-piste terrain, you will need to master basic off-piste ski techniques. The descent itself is, however, not demanding and you will have enough opportunities to stop and take a rest on the way down. The terrain is not dangerous when it comes to avalanches. That is why this tour along with the descent is ideal even after heavy snowfalls.
In the past, the presence of various ore deposits led to intense mining activity on the top of Lajštroch as well as in the whole area.
By bus: Buses stop practically at the very beginning of the tour (bus route Liptovský Mikuláš – Brezno)
By car: In Čertovica, you will find the paid parking lots with limited capacity near the ski centre.
Motorest SKI Čertovica
House HS in Čertovica Motorest SKI Čertovica
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the tour is ideal for beginners or for those who are short of time
if the sky is clear at night, try to ascend Lajštroch right after the sunset,
the views from there as well as the tranquillity are worthwhile
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parking, when there are no more vacant parking spaces