According to a Mastercard study, Croatians take an average of five vacations a year. Winter holidays are especially popular, with one in four planning a ski trip. However, skiing is a luxury not everyone can afford, particularly for last-minute planners, reports T-Portal

Top Ski Destinations for Croatians

Given the unpredictability of snow due to climate change, Croatian skiers seek high-altitude resorts. Italy and Austria top the list, with Kronplatz—aptly nicknamed "Croplatz"—being a favorite. Ski resorts in Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and France also attract their fair share of Croatian visitors.

For more budget-conscious travelers, Eastern Europe offers fantastic skiing at lower costs. Resorts like Jahorina and Kranjska Gora are increasingly popular for their affordability and quality.

How Much Does a Last-Minute Ski Trip Cost?

Skiing enthusiasts are notorious for their dedication, but costs have skyrocketed. While early booking is a money-saver, many still plan at the last minute. Using a case study by kompare.hr, let’s break down the costs for a Zagreb couple planning a ski trip from December 30 to January 5, 2025.

1. Ski Passes
   A must-have for any skier, ski passes grant access to lifts and slopes. Prices vary widely. Kronplatz and Nassfeld have the highest costs for seven-day passes, while Jahorina and Les Orres are more affordable.

2. Equipment Rentals
   For those who don’t own ski gear, rentals can quickly add to the budget. According to rental listings, Nassfeld’s equipment is the most expensive, while Kronplatz offers better deals.

3. Accommodation
   Last-minute bookings mean limited options and higher prices. Jahorina is the most economical, while Les Orres tops the list as the priciest option due to near-full bookings.

4. Travel Costs
   Driving remains a popular choice for Croatian skiers. A petrol car with a 7L/100km consumption rate using Eurosuper 95 (€1.45/L) adds up. According to the Europe Toll Calculator, the cheapest option is Kranjska Gora, while Les Orres is the most expensive.

Bottom Line: Jahorina emerges as the most budget-friendly destination for this couple, totaling €1,434.38. In contrast, Les Orres demands nearly €1,000 more.

Don’t Forget the Extras

Ski trips come with additional expenses:

• Travel Insurance: It’s essential for covering medical emergencies, accidents, or urgent repatriation costs.
• Equipment Maintenance: For those using their own gear, servicing skis costs between €25 and €35.
• Food and Drinks: Resort dining is notoriously pricey. Plan meals ahead to cut costs.

Plan Smart, Save Big

Though skiing can be expensive, early planning unlocks substantial savings. Many agencies offer competitive package deals for those who book months in advance. The earlier you plan, the more affordable and stress-free your trip will be.

So whether you’re heading to "Croplatz" or exploring lesser-known gems like Jahorina, preparation is key to enjoying the slopes without breaking the bank.

The bura wind is causing traffic disruptions this morning as well. According to the Croatian Auto Club (HAK), traffic is restricted on the Dr. Franjo Tuđman Bridge for double-decker buses, vehicles with trailers, and motorcycles (Category I).

Additionally, the Ploče-Trpanj ferry line 633 is suspended but is expected to resume at 10:30 AM. In terms of air traffic, this morning's flight from Rijeka to Dubrovnik has been canceled.

South Korean low-cost airline T’Way Air is set to resume its seasonal flights between Seoul and Zagreb on June 10, marking the second year of this route, reports EX-YU Aviation. 

The service will operate three times a week, with outbound flights making a technical stop in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, due to the Airbus A330-300’s range limitations.

Passengers will need to disembark during the stopover.

Return flights, however, will operate nonstop. Ahead of the regular schedule, T’Way Air plans a one-off flight to the Croatian capital on April 24.

The Croatian government agreed last year to sell 30 M-84 tanks and 30 M-80 armored vehicles to the German government, which would then donate them to Ukraine. The funds received for these 60 military vehicles will be partially used by Croatia to purchase new German Leopard 2A8 tanks, with a significant additional payment required, reports N1. 

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced last week that Germany had already delivered the tanks and armored vehicles acquired from Croatia to Ukraine by the end of last year. This was part of last year’s agreement tied to Croatia's purchase of Leopard 2A8 tanks from Germany. Pistorius made the announcement while unveiling another donation of German military equipment to Ukraine.

“We are contributing to the protection of the largest logistical hub supporting Ukraine. To this end, we will deploy two Patriot missile units and a total of 200 soldiers to Poland in the coming weeks,” Pistorius said, adding, “This is not all.” According to Večernji list, he also mentioned the provision of 50 guided missiles for Iris-T air defense systems.

At the end of last year, Germany delivered 30 M-84A4 tanks and 30 M-80 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, which it had purchased from Croatia. These vehicles, originally developed in the former Yugoslavia as counterparts to Soviet designs, include the M-84, a Yugoslav version of the T-72 tank, and the M-80, modeled after the Soviet BMP-1.

Ukraine’s armed forces, already familiar with Soviet versions of these vehicles, are expected to integrate the Croatian models seamlessly and put them into use quickly. The 60 vehicles will be sufficient to equip two battalions, or half a brigade.

While Ukraine has some capacity to produce and refurbish military vehicles, most are sourced from international allies. Since the war began, Kyiv’s allies have pledged and delivered nearly 1,000 tanks and 1,500 armored vehicles. However, battlefield losses remain high, necessitating a continuous supply.

Croatia previously had around 70 M-84 tanks, and the plan is to replace them all with modern Western models. The acquisition of up to 50 new Leopard 2A8 tanks from Germany marks the beginning of this modernization effort.

The Dubrovnik Tourist Board has released a report on nautical tourism for December 2024, for the Dubrovnik region.

The data shows that December recorded 21 yacht arrivals, three times more than in 2023, with slightly fewer overnight stays, totaling 93. Most visitors were from France and Croatia, followed by Germany, Belgium, Slovenia, and Italy.

Throughout 2024, there were 41,651 arrivals (an increase of 5%) and 286,875 overnight stays (up 4%). The majority of nautical tourists came from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Croatia, Germany, France, Poland, Belgium, Canada, and Austria.

The State Election Commission has announced the results of the second round of the presidential election. The incumbent and newly re-elected President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanović (SDP), secured 74.68% of the vote, while his opponent, Dragan Primorac (HDZ), garnered 25.32%. Nearly all polling stations have been processed.

In the southernmost county, voter turnout reached 43.48% (95.20% valid votes and 4.8% invalid), representing just over 44,000 voters (slightly fewer than the 47,000 who participated in the first round). The results show Milanović taking a commanding lead with 27,487 votes, while Primorac received 14,734 votes in the Dubrovnik-Neretva County.

Breakdown by Cities and Municipalities

Milanović received the most votes in Dubrovnik, Metković, Opuzen, Korčula, Ploče, Dubrovnik Primorje, Mljet, Blato, Janjina, Konavle, Kula Norinska, Lastovo, Lumbarda, Orebić, Smokvica, Ston, Trpanj, Vela Luka, and Župa dubrovačka.

Primorac dominated in just two municipalities: Pojezerje and Slivno. Interestingly, in the municipality of Zažablje, both candidates received exactly the same number of votes—120!

Biljana Borzan, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), expressed her delight at Zoran Milanović’s overwhelming success in the second round of the presidential election against Dragan Primorac (HDZ). 

“Dragan Primorac, despite all the mobilization, managed to increase his vote share by just three percent, while Milanović raised his by 30 percent. I’d say that’s well deserved,” Borzan told Index.

She also reflected on how the election results might be perceived in Europe:

“We account for less than one percent of Europe’s population, but we like to think we’re more important than we are,” she remarked. “The reality is that we don’t have nearly the influence of countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, or any slightly larger country than ours.

“Of course, there will be commentary,” she continued. “I was surprised to see Politico, a reputable media outlet, publishing such unusual news about Zoran Milanović. It’s clear that propaganda and machinery have extended their reach as far as Brussels.”

Croatia held the second round of presidential elections on Sunday, featuring candidates Zoran Milanović (SDP and partners) and Dragan Primorac (HDZ and partners). According to exit polls, Milanović secured a decisive victory, winning nearly 78% of the vote.

This marks the largest margin and the highest result in the second round of presidential elections in Croatia's recent history. Given the first-round results, where the discrepancy between exit polls and official results from the State Election Commission was minimal, it is expected that the official tally will confirm Zoran Milanović’s overwhelming victory.

“These results clearly convey what we already knew – that the message would be strong. Voters want Milanović as president, but they’ve also shown they no longer want HDZ. This is also a signal that people value Milanović,” said Ivica Puljak, leader of the Centre party and mayor of Split.