Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area
About Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area
Harghita Mădăraș (Madarasi Hargita in Hungarian) is the ski area below the peak of the same name, the highest in the Harghita Mountains (1,801 m), in Harghita county, between Odorheiu Secuiesc and Miercurea Ciuc. The runs come down through spruce forest on the rim of the Harghita's old volcanic crater, and the resort's guesthouses and chalets sit on a plateau at about 1,600 m, at the end of forest mountain roads.
The ski area was revived in 2003, when the company that has run it ever since leased the land and built the first drag lifts, Nagy Mihály and Súgó. The land belongs to the commons association of Căpâlnița, and the runs lie within a Natura 2000 site. The Székelys call the peak above the resort their "holy mountain": crosses, carved wooden memorial posts (kopjafa) and wooden statues have been raised on it, and it is a place of pilgrimage for the Székely and Hungarian communities.
What you can see
The ski area has 4.5 km of runs: a 300 m nursery slope, blue and red sections of 1.5 km each and a 700 m black run, served by four drag lifts. The steepest is Nagy Mihály, whose first ~100 m have a 46% gradient; Súgó starts gentle and very wide, good for first steps, and gradually turns red, and its upper part is floodlit for evening skiing. The runs have snow cannons and are groomed with piste bashers.
In summer, waymarked trails start from the resort: to the summit of Harghita Mădăraș, a ~3.6 km walk (~1.5 hours) with views of the Ciuc Mountains, the Ghimeș Mountains and Hășmașul Mare, and along the ridge to Harghita-Băi (~11 km, ~3.5 hours). On the Kecskevész rock there has been a via ferrata since 2012, open to all and free of charge.
Good to know
In winter the access roads are forest roads with steep gradients: winter tyres plus chains or four-wheel drive are compulsory, and a road fee is charged for snow clearing. To keep the narrow road from getting blocked, traffic goes up between 9:00 and 14:00 and down between 14:00 and 17:30.
Whether the lifts will run in winter 2026–2027 is uncertain: the current operator's lease expires in December 2026, the landowner wants a different operator from 2027, and the dispute is in court. Check the operator's website to see whether the runs are open before you set off.
Information verified on 3 November 2026.
- The Nagy Mihály run, whose first ~100 m have a 46% gradient, for advanced skiers.
- Evening skiing on Fridays and Saturdays, on the floodlit section of the Súgó run.
- The climb to the summit of Harghita Mădăraș (1,801 m), with crosses, carved posts and views across the Eastern Carpathians.
- The via ferrata on the Kecskevész rock, in summer.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: from Odorheiu Secuiesc take the DN13A to Brădești, then the DJ138 through Zetea to Sub Cetate, where a local road leads to Ivó; the last ~10 km climb the forest road up the Filió valley to the resort: ~37 km in all (~1 hour). From Miercurea Ciuc (~40 km) the road via Vlăhița is shorter: the DN13A to the town, then ~15 km of forest road up the Vârghiș valley, with potholed gravel sections and a steep hairpin climb over the last 3 km. In winter, chains or four-wheel drive are compulsory on both roads; in summer the road from Ivó is recommended. At Ivó there is also a paid off-road vehicle transfer for those who prefer not to drive up in their own car.
- Where to park
In winter a road fee for snow clearing is paid on arrival at the resort: 20 lei for cars, 40 lei for minibuses and 80 lei for vehicles over 5 t. Those using the off-road transfer leave their car down in the valley at Ivó, in a guarded car park that is free for passengers.
- Fees & discounts
Entry to the resort is free. An adult ski pass costs 106 lei for 2 hours, 150 lei for 4 hours and 166 lei for a day; multi-day passes range from 310 lei (2 days) to 845 lei (6 days). Children aged 6–14 and pensioners (over 61) pay a reduced rate, for example 118 lei a day, and children under 6 ski free with a Baby ski pass requested at the ticket office. Evening skiing costs 104 lei for 2 hours and 134 lei for 3 hours, and a season pass 1,819 lei. The ski pass card carries a 20 lei deposit, payable in cash only and refunded when the undamaged card is returned; everything else can be paid by card. Prices may change from one season to the next.
- Rules
On the slopes, keep to the markings and safety rules. In the mountains, stay on waymarked trails, with warm clothes and suitable footwear, as the weather changes quickly. The via ferrata is climbed at your own risk, with a helmet, harness and via ferrata set; it is not recommended for children under 14 or under 150 cm without the supervision of an experienced adult. On the forest roads, vehicles going uphill have priority. The area is a Natura 2000 site and bears live in the surrounding forests: do not leave rubbish behind and do not feed the animals.
- Facilities
Accommodation in guesthouses and chalets at the resort · ski equipment hire · ski school · Salvamont mountain rescue post · webcams on the operator's website
Frequently asked questions about Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area
How much is a ticket to Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area?
Admission to Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area is free (1-day ski pass: 166 lei). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area?
Opening hours at Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area take?
A visit to Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area takes about 4½ – 5 hours (a day's skiing or a hike).
Can you visit Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area with kids?
Yes, Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area is suitable for children (nursery slope, free under 6).
How do I get to Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area?
Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area is located at The resort plateau, at the end of the forest road up the Filió valley, from Ivó, Căpâlnița, Harghita County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area?
The best season for Harghita Mădăraș Ski Area: All year round (skiing in winter, hiking in summer).
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