Slovenia Ski Resorts
Skiing has been popular since the 17th century when, in 1689 the Slovenian writer Valvasor, used skis on the Bloke plateau close to Ljubljana. Today skiing is the country’s most popular sport and the ski slopes of Slovenia are a very popular with overseas visitors who come not just for the great skiing but also due to the fact the cost is far less than in other major skiing destinations in Europe.
If you are an experienced or a complete beginner and want to learn to ski there is no better place to learn than in Slovenia. Below, we look at the most popular skiing resorts.
Kranjska Gora
This resort has a classic “Alpine” layout – a small village and hotel accommodation adjoining the resort. Kranjska Gora is the most well known, of all the Slovenia ski resorts. This is due to the fact,it hosts one of the classic annual World Cup ski races on the slalom course in the linked area of Podkoren. The resort also has the world’s highest jumping centre at Planica, the location when Slovenia gets its turn to the international ski jumping tour every March. A new visitor centre is an added attraction which houses a museum dedicated to the history of the sport in Slovenia.
The World Cup run is a long, steep, wide swooping run downwards which passes through thick alpine trees from a height of just over 1200m, down to the 800m valley and is a challenging run. Most of the other slopes though are easy and are an excellent place to start learning to ski or for those just starting to get confident in their technique. There is easy access to the nursery slopes and blue runs which are only a couple of minutes walk from the resort. For the higher slopes, a chairlift gives access to the steep Podkoren pistes.
Kranjska Gora village is pretty and has a central square with an old church and there are a number of restaurants, shops, bars and other sports facilities to enjoy when not skiing the slops. In terms of natural beauty, lake Jasna is 10 minutes walk away and is a popular local attraction. In addition, the village of Ratece is where many visitors go, for the cross-country skiing centre as well as the famous world-cup Planica ski jump.
With 8 resorts in Slovenia, Austria and Italy, just under an hour from Kranjska Gora, the resort is a great base, for exploring not just the Slovenian slopes but also going to Italy and Austria on day passes.
Vogel & Kobla
About 25km west of the the Bohinj valley, there are the ski centres of Kobla and Mount Vogel. Vogel has slope side hotel at the top. The resort is accessed via a gondola which runs up from valley. This is a very popular place to ski and Kobla is popular with both local Slovenians and visitors from overseas.
Kobla’s 1,480m peak and Vogel peak is 1,800m. There both beautiful locations overlooking Lake Bohinj and the slopes are easy enough for beginners to practice on.
The resort of Vogel can be accessed via gondola from Lake Bohinj. Kobla is only 5 minutes from Lake Bohinj in the town of Bohinjska Bistrica. The town of Bohinjska Bistrica is a small town packed with attractions including a water park, plus a wide variety of restaurants bars and shops shops, bars.
Krvavec
Krvavec is close to Ljubljana airport which actually makes it, the closest ski resort to an international airport anywhere in the world. The resort is accessed via gondola, from the valley and has a wide range of slopes suitable for beginners and pro skiers.
Krvavec has artificial snow-making but the snow rate is generally good and the skiing season runs from mid-December to late April. Continual improvements are being carried out to the resort to accommodate more visitors. The centre is popular with all levels of skiers from beginners to experts. A visit to the centre seen as a great family day out, for many of the residents of Ljubljana. The runs come down from a 2,000 meter height and most are suitable for beginners.
Bovec-Kanin
At a height of 2200m Bovec-Kanin is Slovenia’s highest ski resort and is located above the above the Soca Valley, boasting great views across Triglav National Park and the Julian Alps. Though mostly intermediate level skiing, it also offers the opportunity for ski touring as well as superb off-piste skiing, in one of the best off-piste valleys in Slovenia; Krnica.
Guides are a must for off-piste due to the terrain. Connected in 2009-2010 to the Italian resort of Sella Nevea, it added a wider range of extra pistes, both intermediate and advanced level, making it one of the best all round ski destinations in the Julian Alps. Kanin’s altitude and geographic position allow for good snowfall, despite the occasional high winds which can cause the gondola to be unreliable. The charming resort town of Bovec has a good selection of dining and drinking options, plus numerous companies offering outdoor adventures from kayaking to ski-touring.
Rogla
The Rogla Ski Olympic centre is 1517 meters above sea level. The centre has, approximately ninety hectares of natural and artificial snow to enjoy. The ski slopes are suitable for beginners and more experienced skiers and snow boarders.
For the last 10 years Rogla has hosted both FIS and European Cup competitions. Since 1997, Rogla has been an all year-round Olympic centre as well and offers state of the art sports facilities for training and preparation for professional skiers. The Zreče Health Resort. Here are swimming pools with thermal spring water and a wide range of sports facilities.
Top skiers come to Rogla perfect their skills and gain fitness but beginners, can also enjoy the skiing and benefit from the professional instruction on offer.
Mariborsko Pohorje
This is the biggest ski centre in Slovenia. The centre offers ski slopes, which are suitable for both beginners and more seasoned skiers. The resort also boasts, a wellness and fitness centre which is set in beautiful natural surroundings. The centre is within easy access of Maribor, the second largest city in Slovenia. Finally, it has longest night skiing trail in Slovenia.
There are around 43 km of ski slopes, at an altitude of 325 to 132 meters in height and the resort has cross-country skiing which stretches for around 27km. The centre also hosts the Golden Fox Trophy, FIS Ski World Cup and numerous other competitions. The centre is a great family day out and has, a ski and snowboarding school with qualified instruction.
Kanin – Canin (Sella Nevea)
This ski resort is the only international ski resort in Slovenia and connects, Kanin in Slovenija with the Sella Nevea resort in Italy. Both Kanin and Sella Nevea, are accessed from both sides of mountain of Kanin so there is access from both the Slovenian and the Italian side. The same ski pass is used, to ski on either side of the border in Italy and Slovenia.
There is an annual Free-ride competition. This is a competition of free ride skiers and snowboarders and takes place in Karin. Emaus is another annual event which is held each year on the Easter Monday at the Kanin ski resort. The competition is one which takes skiing back to a bygone age, as skiers use antique equipment and compete to win a prestigious competition.
The Starivrh Ski Centre
This skiing centre is situated between the Poljanska and Selška valleys. The centre boasts Fifty hectares of ski slopes, at altitudes which range from – a height of 1,200 down to just 580 meters.
The centre caters for experienced skiers, beginners, families, and snowboarders. The ski-center also offers night skiing, a sled run and a children’s activity area. The ski trails are used both for for recreational skiing and competitions. The ski centre is popular and has a range of activities for people of all ages and there are, plenty of instructors on hand to help beginners learn to ski or to snow board.
Skiing in Slovenia
The skiing in Slovenia offers challenges for experienced skiers but also is known as a great place to learn to ski. Even better, the resorts have great facilities which are set in stunning scenery and this all comes at a great price. In conclusion, Slovenia is one of the best countries to ski in – in terms of both enjoyment and cost.
