Telemarking in Balea Lac in Fagaras mountains

My name is Conny Linusson and I am from Sweden. For some years now I have been travelling to Romania in business and have been thinking about skiing in the Carpathians. Finally it come to a reality. Me and my girlfriend Marie decided to go skiing in February 2006. Since we both enjoy the adventure running in less crowded areas using seal skins the choice fell on Balea Lac. However, in such areas it is good to have an educated mountain guide that knows the area. When searching on the internet we got in contact with Iulian Cozma. After some mails and phone calls we picked up Iulian in Brasov and headed for a three days visit to Balea Lac. In Balea Iulian had made all the arrangements at the lodge which turned out to be very nice. First evening we started with some warm up runs close to the lodge. Clear blue sky and quite cold it was (-18 degree C). Next morning we climbed up the ridge again and headed down the Lady Valley. Clear blue sky again and some nice fresh powder snow that always gives nice energy into your body and mind. This morning it was even colder (-25degreeC), but it didn’t stop us to have a nice run. Climbing back to the lodge took some 2,5 hours and it was rather freezing in the end. Brrrr. It was good to be back inside with a nice warm soup and a cold beer. Unfortunately the second day turned out to be very cloudy and the weather forecast wasn’t promising any change for the next couple of days. Hence, we decided to go back to Brasov. Me and Marie enjoyed the stay at Balea Lac a lot as well as Iulians personal qualities (friendly, helpful and warm) and his mountain guide skills and experience. We can gladly recommend Iulian as a mountain guide in order to have the best out of a visit to the beautiful Fagaras Mountain in Romania.

Conny & Marie, Sweden, February 2006