The Ministry of Public Works in Montenegro has initiated three procurement procedures totaling €8.08 million excluding VAT aimed at improving sewage and snowmaking infrastructure at the Kolašin 1450 and Kolašin 1600 ski resorts. These tenders are part of efforts to address significant limitations in northern Montenegro’s tourism sector, specifically inadequate wastewater management and reliance on natural snowfall.
Bids for the projects are expected to be submitted by 14 August 2026. The proposed improvements include the design and construction of foul-water and stormwater drainage systems at Kolašin 1600, with an estimated contract value of €1.165 million excluding VAT, or approximately €1.41 million including tax.
At Kolašin 1450, plans include the installation of a central sewage collector estimated at €710,000 excluding VAT, or around €859,100 including tax. The combined value of these wastewater projects is projected to be €1.875 million before VAT, not accounting for additional costs related to design review and construction oversight.
The primary focus of the investment is on developing reservoirs and pipelines for artificial snow production at Kolašin 1600. This contract will follow a design-and-build approach, assigning full responsibility for both design and construction to a single contractor.
As climate change impacts winter conditions, snowmaking is evolving from a luxury feature to a critical economic requirement for ski resorts. The ski centers in Montenegro face challenges from warmer winters, unpredictable precipitation, and shorter operational periods. The success of hotels, restaurants, ski equipment vendors, and property investors hinges on maintaining a reliable number of operational days to manage financial obligations.
While artificial snowmaking cannot entirely mitigate weather-related risks due to its dependence on appropriate temperature and humidity levels, it can help minimize delays in opening ski slopes and protect certain areas of the resort during periods of inadequate natural snowfall.
This investment also serves as a case study in project sequencing. Development of hotels and apartments in Kolašin has progressed more quickly than the necessary supporting municipal infrastructure. Without effective wastewater management systems, the increase in capacity poses environmental challenges for Bjelasica and could lead to heightened permitting, reputational, and operational risks.
The announced tender value reflects only the preliminary budget for infrastructure development; final expenses may escalate due to design modifications, challenging mountain terrain, access issues, supervision needs, electrical connections, and the eventual integration of sewage systems with treatment facilities.
For developers and lenders, this public investment enhances the feasibility of existing tourism ventures but does not eliminate inherent demand risks. Kolašin must still work towards extending visitor seasons, boosting summer tourism activities, and improving transport links to maintain occupancy levels beyond the winter peak season.
