May 30th 2024
Slovenia’s Julian Alps in Winter
Nestled in the heart of Europe, with Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Slovenia is truly one of Europe’s hidden gems. Since I first visited about 15 years ago, Slovenia’s infrastructure – especially for cross country skiing – has become one of the best in the world, as Slovenia’s Planica ski area hosted the 2023 Nordic Ski World Championships.
In winter, Slovenia’s Julian Alps transform into a cross-country skier’s paradise. During the snowy season, you can stay in a charming village surrounded by dramatic snow-dusted peaks and ski world-class trail networks.
On Lumi’s Sight-Skiing trip to Slovenia, that’s what it’s all about: staying in a quaint village near the Italian border where you can walk across the street from your accommodations and hop on a variety of trails.
Planica nordic center ski trails:
Pronounced like “pizza with a plan,” Planica is Slovenia’s largest Nordic ski area and the site of one of the world’s largest ski flying hills. There are not only ski jumping hills of all sizes, but an indoor vertical wind tunnel that simulates how it feels to fly like a ski jumper and a museum showcasing the history of ski jumping in Slovenia. The Planica Ski Center even has an indoor cross-country ski track in a parking garage, but it’s winter outside after all… Back out on the trail, it’s only a few more kilometers to reach one of our favorite trailside mountain huts where they serve hearty stews and strudel.
Skiing to Kranjska Gora:
How about a ski along a relatively flat trail that’s a bike path in the summer to explore the laid-back dining scene in neighboring Kranjska Gora?
Biathlon at Pokljuka:
Later in the week, try your hand at biathlon by taking a group lesson at this World Cup biathlon venue. Spend some time exploring the 30 km trail network through spruce forests and across flat pastures too. Keep an eye out on the trail for an architectural feature special to Slovenia — covered hay racks that farmers use for drying their freshly cut hay during the often rainy summer months.
Like all of Lumi’s new “Sight-Skiing” trips, this trip to Slovenia is perfect for skiers who simply want to enjoy skiing in one of the world’s most scenic areas (no racing ;) and discover Slovenia’s cultural heritage, with the bonus of skiing across the border into Italy, plus other activities like a boat ride on Lake Bled, a cooking class learning to make one of Slovenia’s local desserts and lots of tasty treats along the way.
Do you want to experience Slovenia’s laid-back winter charm? This is your last chance to save $100 per person on the 2025 Slovenia Sight-Skiing trip, or any other 2025 Lumi trips that still have availability. Reach out by May 31 to receive a detailed trip itinerary or to sign up!
See you on the trail,
Garrott