Skiing Slovenia is not like skiing in most Alpine areas. Even the biggest resort is not large by Alpine standards. That, of course, is an intrinsic part of its appeal. Slovenia is perfect for families and beginners, and for skiers looking for a less daunting, cosier ski experience, without the pressure to rack up high mileage.
On the other hand, if racking up high mileage is absolutely your thing, Slovenia probably isn't for you. At Kranjska Gora, a popular family resort in the north-west corner of Slovenia near the borders with Italy and Austria, for example, you'll find just 11km of runs spread over 18 ski slopes ranging from nursery to black runs. A system of 6 chairlifts and 13 lifts will take you to your chosen run. Kranjska Gora is the largest town in the Zgornjesavska valley, one of the most breathtaking alpine valleys.
The valley has developed into a major tourist and sports region, famed primarily for its World Cup competitions in Alpine skiing and ski flights on the giant ski-jump in Planica - one of the largest ski jumps in the world. The cable cars and ski runs are strung along the slopes of the Vitranc Mountain from the town of Kranjska Gora to Planica at altitudes ranging from 800m to 1215m. This lack of altitude does mean that early/late season skiing is a gamble, however.
Experienced skiers will likely find the runs too short and not too difficult, while beginners will find it the perfect place to learn. But if you get too hung up on the mileage, you will miss out on what is a very different Alpine experience. Slovenia's ski resorts may be smaller than most other European Alpine ski resorts, but the welcome they offer and the nature surrounding them are unforgettable. And with the distances between each resort mostly fairly short, it's possible to ski-hop from one to the other, and all on one single country-wide ski-pass.
Kranjska Gora - Ski Map & Pistes:
Kranjska Gora is a world-renowned winter sports centre - and a popular year-round holiday destination. You can reach the slopes by simply taking a few steps from your hotel room, across the ‘snow beach’ between the hotel and the slopes, which will sometimes seduce you into enjoying the winter sun instead of skiing.
The skiing on the slopes of Vitranc offers something for everyone from ski beginners to more experienced skiers and boarders. The difficulty of the ski runs varies from the very easy and suitable for children to the steep World Cup competition runs in Podkoren. To prolong the winter fun most slopes have snow cannons to ensure they have good coverage from artificial snow.
There is a snow park which is a reasonable size, but best-suited to the learner rather than experienced freestyler. there are also opportunities to try cross-country skiing on the six routes in the area.
Kranjska Gora - Off-Piste, Backcountry & Ski Touring:
Off piste skiing and ski touring are also available ranging from a gentle downhill from the Karavanke summits to extreme skiing down the ridge of the Julian Alps accompanied by an experienced guide, a member of the Association of Slovenian Alpine Guides. The possibilities for off piste depend to a large extent on the snow conditions and the danger of avalanches. If you find decent snow quality, the most interesting run is from the Karavanke summit of Dovska Baba, Bavhe and Vosca, while in the Julian Alps there is an excellent classic downhill from Mojstrovka, Kotovo sedlo and from under the face of the Kriska mountain.
The most popular ski touring destinations in Slovenia can be found in this area, such as the slopes from Mojstrovka, Kotovo sedlo or behind Cmir. You can also have a crack at the Juliana Ski Tour - a four-day ski touring expedition in the Julian Alps combining four different ski tours, from Kranjska Gora in the north to Tolmin in the south.
Kranjska Gora - Restaurants, Bars & The Town:
Families are especially well catered for with easy to intermediate ski slopes the most common; a good choice of family-friendly, good-value places to eat and a good choice of off-slope facilities the whole family can enjoy - such as tobogganing, ice skating, snowshoeing or indoor swimming pools.
Numerous hotels and private accommodation are available in Kranjska Gora and its surrounding area, including the Hotel Kompas, the largest in the town, and the Jasna Chalet Resort, overlooking Lake Jasna.
Kranjska Gora boasts a varied culinary offer, ranging from traditional home-style cooking to haute cuisine. The valley’s gastronomic offer is complemented by good restaurants that, with their family tradition of home-cooked dishes, preserve the authentic flavours of homeliness and a connection with nature.
Some restaurants in Kranjska Gora boast international accolades such as Michelin stars, Gault & Millau caps, chefs of international repute, and, at Pino Alpina, the winner of the Masterchef Slovenia show! Restaurant Milka combines Nordic & Alpine, modern & classic, and was awarded its second Michelin star in 2023, placing it at the very top of Slovenian cuisine.
Apres-ski is on the quiet side, but the Tochka Beach Bar and the Vopa pub are a couple of good places to enjoy a few beers.
In addition to the toboggan run at the Kranjska Gora ski resort, you can also go night sledding on well-maintained and floodlit sledding slopes. In Gozd Martuljek you can find the first illuminated floodlit sledding slope in Slovenia, a 2,500-metre long slope that is also suitable for families.
Kranjska Gora - Ski Hire:
Kranjska Gora has several reliable outlets where you can hire ski equipment, such as Intersport and Kofler Sport. Some also offer lessons.
Kranjska Gora - Ski School:
There are several good ski schools in Krannjska Gora, most of which also offer ski hire. These include Kekec, the Slovenia Ski School and the Orel Ski School. Ski instructors teach your children how to ski in a snow kindergarten, with the help of a baby lift and a variety of fun obstacles.
Courses are also available for adults. If you don’t know how to ski, but you’d like to learn, you’ll be provided with a patient ski instructor and you can rent ski equipment, so that you can ski down an easy run the very first day.
