Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope
About Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope
The Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope is the ski area of the town of Nucet, in the Vârtop holiday village, on the Bihor side of the Vârtop Pass, right on the border between Bihor and Alba counties. The slope is served by a four-seater detachable chairlift, opened in 2011, which climbs from the edge of the holiday village through the spruce forest. The lifts are run by the Nucet town hall, through its company Universal Prestări Servicii Nucet Vârtop.
For skiers, Piatra Grăitoare complements the drag-lift slopes on the Arieșeni side, a few hundred metres away. In summer the chairlift also runs for scenic rides, and waymarked trails set off from the Vârtop saddle along the ridge of the Bihor Mountains.
What you can see
The slope is 1,880 m long and runs down from 1,445 m, where the top chairlift station stands, to 1,189 m, at the base in the holiday village. Near the top the descent splits into a red variant, for intermediate skiers, and a steeper black one for advanced skiers; lower down they join on a wide corridor lined with spruces. At the top, a short drag lift has been set up for children and beginners.
From the chairlift and the upper part of the slope you can see the Vârtop holiday village, with guesthouses and chalets among the spruces, and on clear days the snowy crests of the Apuseni. In the evening the slope is floodlit for night skiing.
Good to know
The slope depends on natural snow and the weather: in strong wind or blizzards the chairlift stops for safety reasons. The car park at the foot of the slope is paid, by the hour.
Information verified on 3 November 2026.
- The ride on the four-seater chairlift through the spruce forest, from the holiday village to the top station.
- The descent on the black variant, the steepest stretch of the slope, for advanced skiers.
- Night skiing in the evening on the floodlit slope.
- First steps on skis at the drag lift for children and beginners at the top of the slope.
- The view over the Vârtop holiday village and the Apuseni crests from the chairlift.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: the slope is next to the DN75, in the Vârtop holiday village, below the Vârtop Pass. From Oradea (~114 km, ~2 hours 20 minutes) take the DN76 via Beiuș to Ștei, then the DN75 via Nucet; from Beiuș it is ~49 km (~1 hour 5 minutes) and from Nucet ~20 km (~30 minutes), with hairpins climbing towards the pass. From Alba county, from Câmpeni climb the DN75 up the Arieș valley, via Arieșeni, ~49 km (~1 hour 10 minutes). From Cluj-Napoca it is ~118 km (~2 hours 40 minutes). In winter the road to the pass is often covered in snow: drive on winter tyres and carry chains in the boot.
- Where to park
The car park at the foot of the slope is paid by the hour: take a ticket at the barrier at the entrance and pay at the machine next to the toilets. On snowy winter weekends the car park and the holiday village get crowded.
- Fees & discounts
Entry to the area is free; rides on the chairlift and the drag lift are paid with a magnetic card, with a 20 lei deposit refunded when you return the card. On the chairlift, one ride costs 20 lei for adults and 15 lei for children, and a day card 140 lei for adults and 100 lei for children (with at least 5 minutes between two rides). There are also cards for 6, 12, 18, 24 or 30 rides, valid all season (from 85 lei for 6 rides, for adults), a Monday–Thursday card (300 lei) and a weekend card, Friday–Sunday (350 lei). A return ride on the chairlift without ski equipment costs 30 lei for adults and 20 lei for children. On the beginners' drag lift, one ride costs 8 lei and a day 120 lei for adults, and 5 lei and 100 lei for children up to 12. Unused rides are not refunded, and prices may change from one season to the next.
- Rules
Everyone skis at their own risk: adapt your speed to your level, the visibility and the snow conditions, and follow the signs on the slope and the staff's instructions. Access to the slope outside operating hours is forbidden, and the card must be shown at checks. In the mountains, stay on waymarked trails, with warm clothes, as the weather changes quickly. Bears live in the surrounding forests: do not leave food or rubbish behind.
- Facilities
Paid car park and toilets at the foot of the slope · tickets also online · floodlit skiing · Salvamont mountain rescue base in the holiday village · accommodation, restaurants and ski hire in the Vârtop holiday village
Frequently asked questions about Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope
How much is a ticket to Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope?
Admission to Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope is free (1-day ski pass: 140 lei). More under “Fees & discounts”
What are the opening hours of Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope?
Opening hours at Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope: daily open 24 hours. More under “Opening hours”
How long does a visit to Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope take?
A visit to Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope takes about 3½ – 4 hours (a day's skiing or a ride).
Can you visit Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope with kids?
Yes, Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope is suitable for children (drag lift for beginners).
Where can I park at Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope?
There is paid parking at Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope (at the foot of the slope, paid by the hour). More under “Where to park”
How do I get to Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope?
Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope is located at DN75, Vârtop holiday village, at the foot of the chairlift, Nucet, Bihor County. More under “Getting there”
When is the best time to visit Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope?
The best season for Piatra Grăitoare Ski Slope: All year round (skiing in winter, rides in summer).
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