About Cavnic
Cavnic is a small town in Maramureș, stretched along the upper valley of the Cavnic river at the foot of the Gutâi Mountains, about 33 km east of Baia Mare. For centuries it was a mining town, working lead, zinc, copper, gold and silver; after the mines closed in the early 2000s it turned to tourism, and the slopes became the main reason visitors come. The Icoana ski area opened in 2001 and the Roata ski area in 2003. In 2020 the Government recognised the town as a tourist resort of local interest.
The two ski areas sit next to each other in the upper part of town, towards the Neteda Pass and the road to Ocna Șugatag, but they are run separately: Roata by SuperSki Cavnic, Icoana by Pârtiile Icoana Cavnic. In winter Cavnic is a ski destination for families, with slopes for beginners but also difficult runs; in summer the Roata chairlift takes visitors up to the summer bobsleigh track, 272 m long.
What you can see
At Roata the slopes run down from Roata Peak, at 1,280 m, to about 950 m through spruce forest, and are served by chairlifts: Roata 1 is intermediate, Roata 2 is easy, Rainer 1 is difficult, and the Blue Slope (Pârtia Albastră), the longest, is easy to intermediate. On days with fresh snow Rainer 2, an ungroomed freeride route, also opens. There is also a sledging park with its own chairlift.
At Icoana, on the edge of town towards Ocna Șugatag, there are three slopes: Icoana 1 for more advanced skiers, Icoana 2 and Icoana 3 suited to beginners. A new, fast three-seater chairlift climbs to Roata Peak. Next to it is a leisure park with a beginners' area with a moving carpet, snow-tubing runs, a sledging area and a snowpark with its own drag lift; guided snowmobile routes also start here. Both ski areas have floodlights for night skiing.
From the town you can see the Creasta Cocoșului ridge to the north, climbed by waymarked hiking trails.
Good to know
Roata and Icoana have different operators and separate ski passes. A new chairlift has been installed at Icoana, and its prices are being updated after the upgrade. At Roata the lifts start with a minimum of 20 people per lift, and the schedule may change because of weather or technical conditions; the freeride route opens only on announced days, when there is enough natural snow. The Salvamont Cavnic mountain rescue team is stationed at the foot of the slopes during skiing hours, evenings included.
Information verified on 3 November 2026.
- The run down the Blue Slope, the longest slope in the Roata ski area, from Roata Peak.
- Evening skiing under the floodlights on the Roata and Icoana slopes.
- The Icoana leisure park, with snow-tubing runs and a snowpark with its own drag lift.
- The Roata summer bobsleigh track, reached by chairlift.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Baia Mare, take the DN18 to Baia Sprie, then the DJ184 through Șișești, Dănești and Șurdești to Cavnic, ~32 km (~45 minutes). From Sighetu Marmației, take the DN18 and then the DJ109F through Ocna Șugatag, ~38 km (~45 minutes). From Cluj-Napoca it is ~140 km (~2 hours 40 minutes), via Dej and Târgu Lăpuș; the road through Strâmbu-Băiuț is closed in winter. In town, signs point to the slopes; the bases of the Roata and Icoana ski areas are ~2 km apart. In winter, check the road conditions before you set off and carry winter equipment.
- Where to park
There are car parks at the foot of both ski areas, with over 1,200 spaces in total, including at the tubing park.
- Fees & discounts
Entry to the resort is free; the Roata and Icoana slopes have separate ski passes. At Roata, an hourly pass costs 40 lei for one hour, 70 lei for 2 hours, 100 lei for 3 hours, 120 lei for 4 hours and 140 lei for 6 hours (children 5–14: 40, 60, 70, 90, 110 lei). The one-day pass, until 17:00, costs 150 lei (children 110 lei); passes for 2–6 days include night skiing and cost between 330 and 790 lei. Points cards valid for the season are also sold (10 points 90 lei), with a 10 lei card deposit paid in cash. Children up to 4 years old and up to 110 cm tall ride free. The sledging park costs 30 lei for 2 runs (children 20 lei), sledge included. The summer bobsleigh costs 40 lei for 2 runs and 70 lei for 5 runs (children 5–13: 30 and 50 lei), chairlift ride included. At Icoana, prices are being updated after the new chairlift was installed. Prices may change from one season to the next.
- Rules
On the slopes, keep to the markings, the chairlift boarding rules and the rules of conduct. Hourly and day passes are personal. Sledges brought from outside are not allowed in the Roata sledging park, and children under 3 cannot ride the summer bobsleigh. The freeride route is not groomed and may be used only on announced days, following the instructions of the slope staff. In the mountains, stay on waymarked trails, with warm clothes and suitable footwear.
- Facilities
Accommodation and restaurants at the foot of the slopes · equipment hire · ski and snowboard schools · sledging park with its own chairlift · snow-tubing and snowpark at Icoana · snowmobile routes · live webcams at Roata · Salvamont at the foot of the slopes
Frequently asked questions about Cavnic
How much is a ticket to Cavnic?
Admission to Cavnic is free (1-day ski pass at Roata: 150 lei). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Cavnic?
Opening hours at Cavnic: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Cavnic take?
A visit to Cavnic takes about 4½ – 5 hours (a day's skiing).
Can you visit Cavnic with kids?
Yes, Cavnic is suitable for children (sledging, tubing, easy slopes).
How do I get to Cavnic?
Cavnic is located at Strada Maramureșului 22 (base of the Roata slopes); Icoana slopes: Strada Icoanei 1, Cavnic, Maramureș County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Cavnic?
The best season for Cavnic: All year round (skiing in winter, bobsleigh in summer).
Reviews
Other attractions nearby
The closest attractions to Cavnic, sorted by distance.
10 km from Cavnic
11 km from Cavnic
11 km from Cavnic