Semenic

Infobox ski area
name= Semenic

picture=
caption=
location= Romania
nearest_city= Reşiţa
lat_degrees= 45
lat_minutes= 5
lat_seconds= 0
lat_direction= N
long_degrees= 22
long_minutes= 3
long_seconds= 0
long_direction= E
top_elevation= 1,410 m
base_elevation=
skiable_area=
number_trails= 3 (alpine)
longest_run= 1.5 km (combined)
liftsystem= 1 chair lift
terrainparks=
snowfall=
external_link= [http://www.skiresorts.ro/index.php?pn=show_resort&res=31&lang=eng Semenic on skiresorts.ro] |

Semenic is a national park and ski resort in the region of Banat, Romania.

Etymology

The "semenic" is actually a rare flower growing in the wilderness of the mountains. Therefore, this western Romanian ski resort was named after it, as a similarity to the rareness of the beauty that one can discover within this unique location.

Geography

The resort is located on the mountain with the same name, which is a part of the Banat Mountains in Caraş-Severin County. It is situated on top of Mount Semenic at an altitude of 1,400m at about 36 km away from the county capital Reşiţa. It is a fact that on Mount Semenic, in comparison with the other ski resorts of Romania, the snow gets the thickest throughout the year, frequently reaching a layer thickness above 2 m, that stretches the ski season up to the end of April, and sometimes even May.

kiing

There are 3 main slopes you can go on: "Idioţilor" ("Idiots'") slope, which is the cheapest, but the easiest and shortest (about 200m), Goznuta, which is very expensive, has about 500m, not very hard, and the new built slope, on the western side of the mountain, just under Piatra Goznei peak. This slope is further away from the resort (about 600m, which in winter is quite a distance, considering the thick layer of snow and strong winds), it has 1800m, the ski lift is brand-new, it costs 3 RON (about one USD). Be careful in the winter, as the road is not always cleaned properly, so get everything you need!

Wolfsberg

As you go down-slope from the Semenic resort you will find an old German village that stands out with its specific architecture and its multiple possibilities of housing. The name of this authentic Bohemian village is Wolfsberg, also known as Garana - situated at an altitude of 935 m, it is surrounded by a landscape that is dominated by the grand silhouette of the Semenic Mountain. Every year, in the month of August, the Wolfsberg village is the host community of "The International Jazz Festival". Also, there is a sculpture exhibition that goes year-round.

Proposed extermination of the wildlife

The Romanian Parlament is currently (September 2008) discussing a bill aiming to open 13 National Parks to commercial hunting, in order to eliminate the wildlife from these areas. It is the first step toward the dismantling the National Parks in Romania and them transformation into human settled areas.

External links

*ro icon [http://semenic.online.ro Semenic National Park]