Sports and leisure activities Slovakia

Budget & Tips

If you want to do some sport in Slovakia, the best plan is to go hiking. There are so many trails all over the country that you'll never get bored. In winter, cross-country skiing and ski touring are the most economical, natural and environmentally-friendly ways to enjoy sport and discover the country's riches. Then there are the classic ski resorts scattered across each of the country's mountain ranges. Large or small, ski passes are cheaper than in France. You can also try paragliding or climbing the country's highest peak, Gerlach, but these activities require the supervision and support of a professional.

For mountain rescue (Horská záchranná služba - www.hzs.sk - [email protected]), 18 300 is the number to remember and call in the event of a serious problem during your hikes. The home page of the website provides real-time information on the weather and snow conditions.

What's very local

Slovakia's national sport is ice hockey, and while not everyone knows how to play, skating is very local. If you venture to an ice rink in Slovakia, you'll notice that the proportions of people who can and can't skate are reversed compared to France. By this we mean that when you go to a skating rink in France, at most 20% of people know how to skate, as opposed to 80% who struggle... In Slovakia, 80% know how to skate and only 20% struggle! There's a lot of skating going on here, even in the parks in summer. Take advantage of your stay in Slovakia to attend an ice hockey match - it's an unforgettable experience that couldn't be more local.

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To be booked

If you want to attend an ice hockey match, it's advisable to make a reservation, especially for the big games. The same applies to adrenaline activities (skydiving, wind tunnel freefall, bungee jumping, etc.), golf or spa treatments and massages. As places are often limited, it is also advisable, if not essential, to make reservations for guided outdoor outings, such as bear sightings.

Main events

Sports events always revolve around field hockey or soccer. But given the results of the national team in recent years, soccer is losing ground. The Košice International Peace Marathon is the oldest on the continent and the second oldest in the world after the Boston Marathon. It has been held every October since 1924. Near Brezno, the center of Osrblie hosts an annual stage of the IBU Cup, a junior biathlon competition.