January the 11th, 2026 – There’s a beautiful Croatian ski resort which offers panoramic Adriatic Sea views, joining a short list of the very few in the world which do.
As Putni kofer/Lana Mindoljevic writes, imagine being able to combine the most beautiful things nature has to offer in one shot: dense forests, dramatic mountains, snow and the sea. Such places do exist and one of them is located in Croatia, a mere stone’s throw from Rijeka. The beautiful Platak ski resort is one of the most unique ski resorts in all of Europe, located at the crossroads between Kvarner and Gorski Kotar. It’s precisely this location that allows this Croatian ski resort that offers sweeping Adriatic Sea views, Kvarner Bay and the islands while you’re descending the snowy slopes.
Platak has a rich history of winter sports that dates back to the first half of the 20th century. The first ski competitions were held here as early as the 1930s, and the Adriatic Slalom, one of the oldest ski competitions in this part of Europe, particularly stands out. Skiing in Platak developed in parallel with the development of Rijeka itself, meaning that this ski resort was the first place for generations of Rijeka’s residents to encounter snow, skis and sleds, all while gazing down at the sparkling sea below.
Famous skiers, including Ante Kostelić, have also trained and competed in Platak. Ante Kostelić won 4th place in the Adriatic Slalom back in 1969, and Janica and Ivica competed in the renewed edition of that race later on in 2006.
Now that a thick white blanket of snow has covered Croatia, the Platak ski resort shines in its most beautiful winter colours. According to current information, on Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, the Baby track and the Baby lift, or conveyor belt, were opened, and more and more of the tracks and facilities are opening every day. The ski resort is open from 09:00 to 16:00, and the ticket office opens at 08:00.
The gradual opening of the main tracks has also been announced on the Sports and Recreation Centre’s Facebook page: on Thursday, January the 8th, the Radeševo track and the lower part of the Radeševo 1 track were put into operation, while on Saturday, January the 10th, the Radeševo 1 track should be opened in full, which would officially start the real ski season on Platak, weather permitting.
What makes Platak truly special is not only the fact that it is a Croatian ski resort with gorgeous Adriatic Sea views, it is its microlocation. Just a thirty-minute drive from the sea and the hustle and bustle of the city of Rijeka, you enter a completely different world. The highest peak, Radeševo, is located at a whopping 1,363 metres above sea level. It’s precisely because of this proximity to the city and the sea that Platak is often described as a ski resort where you can ski in the morning and drink coffee down by the sea in the afternoon.
Platak is primarily oriented towards recreational skiers, families with children and beginners, although it also has slopes that will satisfy more experienced skiers. “Platak has 1 four-seater chairlift and 1 two-seater chairlift for the Radeševo 1, Radeševo 2, Turistička staza and Zavoj 19 slopes. There are also two ski lifts on the Tešnje and Pribeniš slopes, as well as 3 moving walkways located at the bottom of the Radeševo and Pribeniš slopes, and along the Baby slope.
The slopes in the Radeševo zone, the Pribeniš slope and the Baby slope are covered by a snowmaking system, while the Tešanj and Turistička slopes depend on the amount of natural snow,” explains Platak.hr. When conditions allow, magical night skiing is sometimes organised on the Radeševo slope, and the Baby slope and the Tourist slope are ideal for first steps to be taken in skiing and carefree sledding.
Although for many it is synonymous with skiing, beautiful Platak is also a place where you can enjoy sledding, winter walks and other snow-related activities throughout the winter. Platak also has well-maintained trails for cross-country skiing and winter walking. When the snow itself finally melts, Platak is a popular destination for hiking, excursions and nature walks all year round. A hot drink and lunch await you at the Platak Mountain Lodge, and after a day on the snow you can go down to Kvarner and have a warm coffee with a view of the glorious Croatian sea.
