Winter Incentive Slovenia – 5 great ski resorts in Slovenia
Across Europe, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to ski resorts. While many head to the more popular resorts in the Swiss, Italian, Austrian and French Alps, Slovenia can often be overlooked. But for a winter incentive Slovenia is a much better choice. It lies at the far eastern edge of the Alps and you’d be surprised how many ski resorts are here.
Slovenia is a charming country, relatively small in size but packed with great ski resorts. With the Alps and the Adriatic Sea in such close proximity, there\’s a world of difference between summer and winter. In winter the alpine region freezes over, and in early spring this area is transformed into a world of colourful flora with glistening snow-covered mountains in the backdrop.
If you are planning a winter incentive, Slovenia may surprise you with its fairy-tale panoramic views, numerous spa resorts, short distances and many incentive possibilities like fancy fun night ski sledding, adventurous ice climbing, ski running, biathlon shooting, snow shoeing / night walks with torches to idyllic locations, Ziplining at the famous Planica ski jump, and games like Winter fun with Slovenian world ex champions in winter sports, Snowmen competitions, hilarious Winter Games, bicycle races on the snow and similar. All can be finished off with a BBQ on the slopes!
The great thing about being small is that in winter you can ski all day, and in early spring can ski in the morning and spend the afternoon sipping cocktails and beer in your tee-shirt on a deckchair in the afternoon.
Here is a list of top 5 popular ski resorts for the best winter incentive Slovenia has to offer:
1. Vogel Ski Centre – Vogel Mountain is located at the western end of Lake Bohinj, a large glacial lake framed by the Julian Alps. While advanced skiers may find the slopes here a little unchallenging, the glorious scenery more than makes amends for it. The entire resort is encircled by snow-covered mountain peaks. There is also a snowboard park here, so you can learn some snowboard stunts too.
A modern cable car whisks you 1,500 metres up to the resort, and the view back down to Lake Bohinj and the mountains is worth the ride itself. As Vogel Ski Resort lies in the heart of the Triglav National park, the snow is completely natural, because it is forbidden to make artificial snow in the national park.
Distance from the capital Ljubljana – 1h15 by car
Distance from the coast – 2h30 by car
2. Kranjska Gora – probably the most well-known resort, Kranjska Gora has 18 slopes at altitudes ranging from 800m to 1,215m. The difficulty ratings vary so there is something for everyone. The surrounding countryside also features some great cross country ski routes all backed by the rugged peaks of the Julian Alps. A good time to be there is in March, during the World Ski Jumping competition at nearby Planica.
3. Krvavec – This is the closest resort from Ljubljana. The runs here are more diverse, with demanding runs for professionals and easier runs for beginners and intermediates. While it doesn’t have the stunning mountain vistas that Vogel has, it still offers lovely views into the Ljubljana basin. There are around 30kms of runs at 1,450m to 1,971m above sea level. As Krvavec lies outside the national park, the season can run longer. When the temperatures are low enough, the resort makes artificial snow to get the slopes started, and also to extend the season as much as possible. Krvavec guarantees at least 100 days of skiing per season.
Distance from Ljubljana – 30 minutes by car
Distance to the coast – 90 minutes by car
4. Kobla – The little village called Bohinjska Bistrica, on the way to Lake Bohinj, is home to the Kobla Ski Resort. Situated on a hillside rather than on a mountaintop, it still commands some lovely views down into the Bohinj Valley and offers 23kms of slopes at elevations between 540m and 1,480m. The village of Bohinjska Bistrica also has a great hotel with a spa, sauna, wellness and aqua park, so you can soothe your aching muscles afterwards. If you are thinking of combining your winter incentive, Slovenia has many great hotels with congress centres for business meetings. At the 4* Bohinj Eco hotel in Bohinjska Bistrica there are numerous seminar halls equipped with everything you need to conduct your meetings quickly and efficiently, leaving you time for some after business leisure.
5. Kanin – Situated on the mountains bordering Slovenia and Italy, Kanin is the highest ski resort in Slovenia at an altitude of 2,293m. The amazing cable car ride takes you from deep in the Soca Valley up to 2,202m and provides breath-taking views over the Alps and the Adriatic Sea.
It’s also worth mentioning that the winter here is packed with festivities and events. It starts with many food and wine festivals in November, continues with traditional December events, and ends with the famous Pust carnival at the beginning of March. So for a winter incentive, Slovenia has more to offer than you might realise.
