Love on ⛷ Two Skis

On some cold winter weekend afternoons, Slovenian streets are usually quite quiet, as almost the only ones who aren't in front of screens cheering for their favourite ski jumper or skier are those who are at the venue themselves, too.

Skiing has long been a fixture of the Slovenian way of life, born not as a recreational sport but for functionality when farmers and villagers needed an efficient way to travel through steep, snowy terrain. 

Today, skiing remains a popular participant and spectator sport in Slovenia. The season runs from November to March, and sometimes later into spring when Slovenians and visitors alike head to the ski runs and jumps of the Julian Alps.

The Bloke Plateau, in the country’s Notranjska region, lays claim to inventing skiing in Slovenia around the year 800 CE. 

The earliest skis in the region were handmade of old pieces of beechwood, though birch, cherry, and elm were also used.

Although skiing was primarily a way to travel and make remote areas more accessible, it later grew into an extremely popular form of winter recreation. 

Slovenia particularly attracts ski jump enthusiasts, both as spectators and well-trained participants.

The world’s second-highest ski jump is in Planica, an Alpine valley in the country’s northwest. The Planica Nordic Centre first opened in the 1930s; for some time, it was home to the world’s biggest ski jump. 

Many world records happened at this venue. Here, man jumped over 100 meters for the first time. It was in 1936, and the name of the courageous Austrian was Sepp Bradl. It was then that the era of ski flying started.

Planica hosts several FIS (International Ski Federation) World Cup ski jumping events each year. Many Slovenian ski jumpers have also gone on to win Olympic medals. 

Some of the most famous Slovenian ski jump athletes of recent years include Peter Prevc, Damjan Fras, and Primož Peterka. 

Not only ski jumping and flying, ski touring can also cause quite an adrenaline rush. 

The vast Slovenian mountains are a perfect place to climb challenging mountains, explore unspoiled nature, and leave marks on the untouched snowy blanket.

It’s no wonder that some fall in love with this rush. The late  Davo Karničar has made over 1700 mountaineering ascents and descents. He was the first skier in the world to make a continuous ski descent from Mount Everest.

He skied from the seven highest mountains in the world and with that “connected all the continents in some kind of skiing wreath”, as he said.

From November through March, visitors to Slovenia will find a range of ski resorts suitable for beginners, as well as advanced skiers.

The most popular ski resorts in Slovenia include Kranjska Gora, Krvavec, Vogel, and Maribor Pohorje. 

Slovenia is not one of Europe’s best-known ski destinations, in part because the country’s Julian Alps are of lower elevation than those in other Alpine countries like Switzerland, Italy, and France.

Yet it remains popular with families, beginners, cross-country skiers, and slalom skiers, especially those who are looking for less-crowded slopes.

From the lift, there’s usually an amazing view of beautiful nature. 

The diversity of landscapes in this small country is so rich that you can ski in the mountains and swim in the sea on the same day. So check out the amazing views of Slovenia!