Among the most appreciated and extensive ski areas in Romania, Straja occupies a special place, the resort here developing permanently in the last 3 decades and becoming one of the most offering and modern in the country. In addition to the large number and appreciable length of ski slopes, many equipped with artificial and nocturnal snow, tourists can also enjoy the various existing services, but they can also admire the exceptional landscapes of the Jiu Valley and the Retezat Mountains.
Location
The Straja ski area and mountain resort are located in the southwestern part of Hunedoara County, near (8 kilometers) the town of Lupeni in the Jiu Valley. Situated at an altitude of 1400-1500 meters, the resort is located on the northern slope of Straja Mountain in the Vâlcan Mountains, having one of the largest ski areas in the country.
Getting to Straja Ski Resort
The access to the Straja winter sports resort is quite good, with several options for tourists. First, to reach the town of Lupeni, follow the national road 66A, which branches off from DN66 south of the Petroșani municipality, located 20 kilometers (30 minutes) from Lupeni. From here, you can continue on the local access road to the resort, but access is only allowed until the last public parking lot arranged a few minutes uphill to the first chalets.
Alternatively, tourists can leave their cars in the parking lot arranged near the gondola departure station and continue with it to the center of the resort (the gondola is closed on Tuesdays for maintenance). The last gondola descent is at 5 p.m. (may vary). From Bucharest to Lupeni is approximately 360 kilometers (6 hours), while the distance from Timișoara is 240 kilometers (4 hours). Cluj-Napoca is 250 kilometers (4 hours), and Craiova is 170 kilometers (3 hours). To reach Lupeni by public transport, you must change buses or trains in Petroșani, and from the city you can continue by gondola, there are also locals who provide private minibus rides.
Overview of the Ski Domain
One of the most appreciated and developed winter sports resorts in Romania, Straja benefits from an extensive ski area, totaling approximately 26 kilometers of ski slopes, most of which are equipped with cable transport facilities and artificial snow. Benefiting from all the necessary tourist services and freed from car traffic in recent years, the resort has developed permanently and has become an extremely popular destination.
The ski area includes 12 ski and snowboard slopes, some of which are of considerable length. The Straja slope was completely recently developed, with a total length of approximately 8 kilometers and including sections of other smaller slopes. It has a difference in elevation of over 1,100 meters and a medium to difficult difficulty level (red with black sections), starting from Straja Peak (1,868 meters) and descending to the center of the resort, then continuing under the gondola route (depending on the amount and quality of snow). It is served by several sectors of transport facilities (Constantinescu chairlift and ski lift, Straja Peak chairlift).
The Straja Peak slope connects the peak of the same name with Mutu Peak, with a length of 1,000 meters and a medium difficulty level (red). The Mutu (1,270 meters) and Constantinescu (1,100 meters) slopes roughly follow the middle route of the Straja slope, with several variants and degrees of difficulty between easy and medium (blue and red). The Sfântu Gheorghe (700 meters long) and Telegondola (3,200 meters long) slopes represent the lower sectors of the Straja slope, descending below the gondola and being served by the ski lift. There is also a small slope for beginners and a toboggan run here.
The Platoul Soarelui slope is 400 meters long (easy difficulty – blue), being connected to the Constantinescu slope. The Lupului slope has two variants (500-700 meters), one being of medium difficulty (red) and the other having a difficult level (black), and transport is provided by the ski lift. Similarly, the Canal slope has two variants (1200 and 1400 meters long) with different degrees of difficulty (red and black), being served by a chairlift to the Mutu peak. In addition to these, there are several intermediate connecting slopes. The Mutu, Constantinescu, Lupului, Platoul Soarelui and Sf. Gheorghe slopes have night lighting systems.
Other Tourist Services
In the Straja mountain resort there are over 200 accommodation units (hotels, chalets, villas, guesthouses), approximately half of which are approved. Thus, tourists who want to stay several days in the resort have numerous options available, to which are added the private accommodation offers in the town of Lupeni. In the resort there are several winter sports equipment rental centers, public catering points and other services. Tourists arriving with their own cars can leave them either in the parking lot (paid) next to the gondola parking station (closed on Tuesdays), or in the upper parking lot located a few hundred meters from the entrance to the resort (free but limited spaces).
Schedule and Prices
*2025-2026 season
The Straja ski area is open during the winter season, depending on the amount and quality of the snow cover and the slopes (usually December – March). The cable cars are usually open between 9 am and 4 pm, and 9 pm for the night slopes. These hours may vary during the season and depending on the weather. The price for a 1-day ski pass is 160 lei (includes all transport facilities, except for the Platoul Soarelui slope). The 2-day pass is 290 lei, for 3 days 420 lei, and for 5 days the price is 600 lei, and the days included do not have to be consecutive.
There is a separate night pass (4 hours), which has a price of 100 lei. There are also separate points-based passes, with prices between 50 lei (10 points) and 450 lei (100 points). A gondola ride is 5 points, a chairlift ride is 3 points, and a ski lift ride is 2 points. The Platoul Soarelui slope is operated by another company and has a separate transportation system (chairlift and ski lift), prices ranging from 6 lei (5 points – 1 ride), 35 lei (30 points) and 110 lei (100 points). Prices for renting ski/snowboard equipment vary between 50-120 lei per day.
Lodging Recommendations in Straja Resort
Rating 9.3 from 35 reviews!
Located in the eastern part of Straja resort, right next to chairlift 2, Edelweiss chalet offers accommodation in modern rooms and a restaurant with Romanian specialties!
Rating 9.0 from 7 reviews!
Located near the gondola station and the chairlift departure points, this guesthouse offers accommodation in standard rooms with all amenities, a restaurant and bar!
Rating 8.7 from 53 reviews!
One of the most appreciated accommodation units in Straja, it is located right at the base of the ski slopes and near the gondola, offering comfortable accommodation and a restaurant!