Malinô Brdo (Ružomberok): ski resort in the Veľká Fatra

Malinô Brdo is a ski resort on the northern slopes of the Veľká Fatra directly above the town of Ružomberok. An 8-seat gondola climbs from the Hrabovo valley (545 m) to the Malinô Brdo plateau, and from there a chairlift continues to the summit of Malinné (1209 m). The resort presents itself as a family resort with wide, long slopes and activities for every member of the family; in summer it runs a bike park. Nearby lies the village of Vlkolínec, a UNESCO site.

Slopes and lifts

The official 2025/26 map shows 10 slopes. The main slope No. 1a from the summit is 1200 m long with 275 m of vertical, and its continuation No. 1b, "Main – valley station", runs 2500 m down to the gondola with 432 m of vertical. The red Výhliadková (1250 m), Malá Mulda (900 m) and Pretekárska (1200 m), the black Majstrovská (800 m) and the red-black Vlkolínska (900 m) lie on the slopes below the summit; the blue Malinová and two Detská runs (190–210 m) are for the youngest. Most slopes have snowmaking. The resort's English page advertises a safe 3.9 km slope.

There are eight lifts: the Hrabovo – Malinô Brdo gondola (1770 m, 415 m of vertical, 1500 people per hour), a 4-seat chairlift to the summit (1120 m, 275 m, 2200 people per hour), the H 210 Zalomená poma (900 m) and H 130 (700 m) surface lifts, and four children's lifts. Next to the chairlift's top station is a snow park with boxes and a tube for beginners and experienced riders; there is also a freeride zone and a marked ski-touring route (with a paid ski-touring season ticket including two gondola rides a day). With enough natural snow a 1.5 km cross-country loop with 70 m of climbing opens, and the gondola also takes you up for sledging.

Season and ski passes

The resort is preparing the 2026/27 season; the timetable and opening date have not been announced. Day passes are sold in the resort's online shop, and there is no static price list on the website. The 2026/27 Magic Season Pass is already on sale: daily skiing in winter, a sightseeing pass for summer 2027, restaurant discounts and 30% off next season's pass if the season lasts fewer than 70 days. Skiers over 70 can buy a season pass for €69 (cash desk only). Children under 6 accompanied by an adult ski free. Parking by the gondola is free: the upper car park has 300 spaces, the lower 200, plus 100 spaces by the stadium. Prices as of October 2026 — check the official website.

Who it suits

Malinô Brdo suits families well: children's lifts and slopes, a long run down to the valley, the Malinô Brdo Academy and Lilly Sport ski schools, and rental and service at the gondola's bottom station. Experienced skiers will find the black Majstrovská, the Vlkolínska and the freeride zone, and freestylers the snow park.

Getting there from Ukraine

From the Uzhhorod – Vyšné Nemecké border crossing the road leads via Michalovce to Košice, then along the D1 motorway via Prešov, Poprad and Liptovský Mikuláš to Ružomberok — roughly 270 km. Trains from Košice stop in Ružomberok: it is 1.5 km from Rybárpole station to the gondola and 2.5 km from the main station. City bus No. 5 (station – Rybárpole – Hrabovo) and the resort's ski bus run there.

Nearby: trails and peaks

In summer the route Ružomberok, Námestie A Hlinku – Malinô Brdo leads from the town centre to the plateau. A few kilometres away is the wooden village of Vlkolínec. Other resorts in this series nearby are Donovaly and Kubínska hoľa.

Official website: skipark.sk

Photos: Branork, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; Adam Chamczyk, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons; Pudelek (Marcin Szala), CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.