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SLOVENIA

by Ted Heck

A skier hunting for a bargain should move his sights several clicks to the east and consider the small country of Slovenia on the far end of the Alps.

Slovenia? Well, its resorts are not exactly on the tip of a namedropper’s tongue, with names like Kranjska Gora, Kanin, Kobla, Rogla and Vogel. But they are real, they’re good and the costs of a skiing vacation can be significantly lower than those in other alpine countries.

Few Americans can place Slovenia on a map, unless their ancestors were among turn-of-the-century immigrants. It is a tiny nation, only in existence since 1991, when it broke away from the old Yugoslavia. Half the size of Switzerland, it is tucked away in the northwest corner of the region where it meets Italy and Austria.

Slovenia has alpine charm of its own and fun-loving citizens who hold winter sports in esteem. Half of the mountainous country’s two million people are skiers. We have selected only seven major resorts for detailed description here, but there are 47 ski centers in all.

The Slovenians were disappointed when the 2002 Winter Olympics were awarded to Salt Lake City. Their resort of Kranjska Gora has long been a major stop on the World Cup circuit. It was part of a troika, a unique three-country bid to host those Games. Nearby Tarvisio in Italy and Villach in Austria were the other ski centers who felt they offered adequate venues. A successful bid would have greatly increased awareness of Slovenia.

Skiing in Slovenia does not approach the proportions of, say France, which hosted the Olympics in 1992. The mountains are spectacular, but lower. Runs are shorter and lifts are not always state-of-the art.

But the upside is the price. A package deal in a four-star hotel in Kranjska Gora, for example, costs under $65 in January for bed, breakfast and dinner (under $80 in February). Lift tickets here average out to $25 a day; some resorts cost as little as $20. Rental skis can be had for $15. Lunch in a typical village inn is $13 for sausage, beer and dessert.

Other benefits include sightseeing attractions in the capital city of Ljubljana, a thriving commercial and cultural center. Slovenia is a country of big cities and little villages, of caves and castles, forests and mountains—and also a coastline. The western end of the country borders on the Adriatic Sea, not far from Trieste. On a non-skiing day, a day trip to Venice is possible.

As one comes down from the mountains and gets nearer the coast, vegetation becomes semi-topical. In picturesque villages such as Piran or the health resort of Portoroz, people stroll along the seawall in shirtsleeves.

Another benefit travelers notice quickly is the friendliness of the Slovenians. English is the second language they learn in school and many of them are comfortable conversing in it. Especially with Americans who have just discovered their country.

For more information, such as the winter sports brochure and package details, contact the Slovenian Tourist Office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

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