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An investment of 44 million euros: the european destination is on the way to a skiing revolution
A tourism project of unprecedented scale in Romania is being built in the Semenic Mountains in the west of the country. With a planned investment of about 44 million euros, the small ski area is expected to expand and become an active leisure complex throughout the year.
The Semenic and Crivaia tourism area currently offers about 3.4 kilometers of groomed trails and a limited number of lifts. Upon completion of the works, the length of the trails is expected to increase to about 15 kilometers, more than four times the current situation.
One of the central components of the plan is a modern gondola manufactured by Leitner, which will include 101 cabins. The planned ride to the summit of the site will take about 11 minutes and will allow easier access to the expanded trail system.
Work on the ground has already begun, and alongside the construction of the transport facilities, the snow production system is also being upgraded. The site will install 98 energy-efficient snow cannons of the Virga model, manufactured by Supersnow. The system is designed to enhance the natural snow cover and improve the reliability of the trails, especially outside the peak winter season.
Teams are working to transform the Semenic tourism area into an expanded complex. Photo: Supersnow's Instagram page
The investment is not limited to the ski season. The plan also includes a circular biking trail, a park with a zip line, and community events and outdoor activities during the summer months. The goal is to reduce dependence on snow and make Semenic a tourist destination that attracts visitors year-round.
According to the mayor of Resita, Ioan Popa, the total cost of the change is expected to reach about 44 million euros, an amount equivalent to about 47.5 million dollars. This is the most expensive ski resort expansion project ever undertaken in Romania.
Installation of Virga model snow cannons in Semenic. Photo: Supersnow's Instagram page
Semenic is located in the western part of the Transylvanian Alps, which stretch over more than 250 kilometers to the Serbian border and form the southern edge of the Carpathian Mountains. The peaks of the range rise to over 2,500 meters.
Although Romania is not usually considered one of the top ski destinations that come to mind for skiers in Europe, several prominent resorts operate in the area. The largest of these is Straja, which includes 26 kilometers of trails and a vertical drop of over 700 meters. The summit of the site is at an altitude of nearly 1,900 meters, and in the middle of winter, the snow base depth can sometimes reach about 120 centimeters.
Pipes of the snow production system are installed in Semenic. Photo: Supersnow's Instagram page
The initial stages of the project, including the upgraded snow production system, are planned to be completed by the end of 2026. Further works will continue afterward. Upon completion of the initiative, Semenic may strengthen the status of the Transylvanian Alps as a lesser-known alternative to the major ski resorts in Europe.
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