Ski Touring in Slovenia: Exploring the Julian Alps

Why choose Slovenia for your next ski touring holiday?

Slovenia might not be the first destination that comes to mind when planning a touring trip, but the Julian Alps offer an excellent setting for exploring the backcountry. With varied mountain terrain, access to neighbouring Austria and Italy, and fewer crowds than many established Alpine destinations, it's an interesting alternative for experienced ski tourers looking to explore somewhere different.

We spoke to Klemen, our IFMGA mountain guide who has been guiding in the region for Mountain Tracks for over 20 years, to find out what makes ski touring in Slovenia worth considering.

Three countries, one ski touring base

Based in Kranjska Gora, in the north-west of Slovenia, the Julian Alps provide access to a surprisingly wide range of ski touring terrain. The location is particularly well suited to exploring beyond Slovenia itself, with the Austrian border around an hour away and parts of the Italian Alps accessible in as little as 25–45 minutes by car. He considers it, a Chamonix in the east.  

On the tour, we use a private vehicle each day, this gives Klemen plenty of flexibility when planning each day's skiing. Rather than following a fixed itinerary, he chooses where to go according to the weather, snow conditions and the group's experience and ambitions. At breakfast each day, Klemen sits with the group to run through the plan for the day.

As Klemen explains, the best skiing isn't necessarily found in the same place every day. His local knowledge allows him to adapt the programme, selecting suitable terrain across Slovenia, Austria and Italy to make the most of the conditions.

The Julian Alps offer a mixture of open mountain terrain, steeper sections, gullies and tree skiing. There is scope for some more challenging descents, including steep and narrow couloirs, while other itineraries offer more open skiing with manageable gradients.

Some routes also involve a mountaineering element. Depending on the objective and conditions, this might mean carrying skis on your backpack and using boot crampons and an ice axe to reach a summit before skiing back down. One example is the ascent of Cima del Cacciatore, where a short climb using crampons and an ice axe can provide access to a rewarding descent.

Not every day requires technical equipment, however, and the trip can be done without these. Klemen adjusts the objectives to suit the group, choosing alternative routes where necessary.

The emphasis is on finding enjoyable skiing while making sensible decisions about the conditions and the abilities of the group.

Local knowledge makes the difference

Having lived and worked in Kranjska Gora with his family for most of his adult life, Klemen knows the surrounding mountains as well as anyone could. That also means he knows the best places to stop for lunch and the local restaurants worth visiting after a day in the mountains.

That local knowledge is particularly valuable in a region where conditions can vary considerably. The Julian Alps are not as high as some of the major Alpine ranges, so snow cover can be more variable. Using lifts to access higher ground is sometimes the best option, helping the group reach more reliable snow without spending too much time carrying skis.

More than just the skiing

Kranjska Gora makes a convenient base for the week, with a traditional local guesthouse providing accommodation, breakfast and evening meals.

Slovenian food is another part of the experience. Local dishes include potica, a traditional walnut cake, and štruklji, a type of rolled dumpling, and for those with a sweet tooth, Bled cream cake. Travelling into Italy also provides the opportunity to try regional specialities such as frico, a traditional dish of cheese and polenta from Friuli.

Compared with some of the better-known Alpine resorts, eating out is also relatively affordable. A good evening meal, including dessert and a drink, might cost around €25–30.

Is ski touring in Slovenia right for you?

The trip is best suited to confident off-piste skiers with previous ski touring experience. Participants should be comfortable with kick turns and have a good level of fitness for consecutive days in the mountains.

Some routes involve the use of crampons, an ice axe and a harness, although previous experience with this equipment is helpful rather than essential. Klemen can provide guidance on using the equipment and adapt the objectives to suit the group.

The variety of terrain means there is plenty of scope to make the most of the week, whether that involves open descents, tree skiing or more technical mountain routes.

Explore the Julian Alps with Mountain Tracks

For ski tourers who have already explored the more familiar Alpine destinations, Slovenia offers an opportunity to experience a different corner of the Alps. With the flexibility to ski across Slovenia, Italy and Austria, and an experienced local IFMGA guide choosing the best terrain each day, it's a rewarding way to discover the region.

Find out more about our Slovenia Julian Alps Day Ski Tours and join us for a week of guided ski touring in Slovenia.