By Nicolas Bard

About 42 kilometers from Grevena and perched at an altitude of 2,115 meters is one of the best ski resorts in Greece.

The reason, of course, for the ski resort of Vasilitsa located on an impressive mountain peak of Pindos (2,249 meters high), which steps with one foot in Macedonia, on the part of Grevena, and with the other in Epirus, in the prefecture of Ioannina.

This popular ski resort, which is flooded every winter by winter sports enthusiasts, has been operating as early as 1975. That year, the largest tusks in the world, which lived in Mastodonta, who lived millions of years ago in Grevena, were found in the area!

As we go up for the skiing the temperature drops and the road turns are increasing, but the alpine landscape will make you fully compensated. The snow as a sculptor covers the trees of the area and the hills look like white glaze. There are 22 total tracks today, which are distinguished in 4 categories, depending on the degree of difficulty and inclination. Two of them have been designated by the Federation Internationale de Ski as “Olympic standards”.

However, there are tracks for both beginners and experienced, while anyone who is not a fan of sports can enjoy a warm drink or a snack in the chalets of the ski resort.

In addition to the often -gathered races, the night ski skiing is also known as the “Sunset Ski”, which are organized when the weather allows, and the skiers are also the fact that in Vasilitsa the snow holds until spring, extending its session. Of course, the high altitude contributes to this, but also the distance of the ski resort from the sea. There, in the heart of mainland Greece, in the imposing mountain peaks of Pindos, snow is maintained for a long time.

At a distance of 15 kilometers from the ski resort is the tallest village in the Balkans, the graphic Samarina, emerging in the snowy landscape, with the backdrop of the magnificent Smolikas.

This famous Vlachochori, built at 1,450 to 1,500 meters altitude, is offered to stay, if you want to visit the ski resort, and has many accommodation and remarkable hostels. There you will see beautiful stone mansions, historical churches and monasteries, and you will have the opportunity to enjoy the local cuisine, famous for its excellent quality meats and traditional pies.

The slopes around the village are covered with firs, beech and black pine, and as soon as the first snow falls, the setting becomes really magical. However, there is no reason to worry, as snowmobiles go on to keep the road network open for both the village and the ski resort.

The name of the village comes from the Vlach word “in marina”, which means Agia Marina. Over the years it has evolved into a Samarina, so it was established. In many historical maps we find it as “Santa Maria de Praitoria”, and it is said that its first inhabitants were from Thessaly.

In the heart of the village lies the iconic church of the Virgin Mary, which is the largest Basilica of Pindos and dates back to 1818. It stands out for its special beauty, as an centuries -old pine is rooted in its sanctuary, protruding above the building. Wandering the village you will see many stone fountains and running waters, and if you are a hiking fan, from there the routes to Drakolimni of Smolikas and the devil’s valley with the impressive waterfall.

The virgin nature of the area, the wild beauty of the landscape, the fresh air and the hospitality of the locals will make you love this place, and promise to return!