Safe Winter Mountain Visits: Lower-Altitude Hiking Destinations Are Especially Inviting in Winter

Across Slovenia, numerous lower-altitude destinations offer diverse opportunities for winter outings. These can be enjoyed safely when approached with careful planning, gradual progression and a strong sense of responsibility, as emphasised by the Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS) at a press conference marking the start of the winter hiking season on 10 December at Dom pod Storžičem. In winter, a suitable hiking goal can already be a mountain hut – more than one hundred of them remain open across Slovenia. Visiting these huts also helps support their continued operation.

This winter has been marked by temperatures in the hills well above the December average. With unusually warm conditions for this time of year and ahead of International Mountain Day on 11 December – this year dedicated to glaciers – the impact of climate change on winter mountain visits and the operation of mountain huts is becoming increasingly evident. “The mountains are changing. In the context of climate change, we cannot overlook the disappearance of glaciers, rockfalls and falling stones, or extreme drought periods that dynamically alternate with intense precipitation events. All of this affects environmental change, damage, visitor safety and presents growing challenges in managing mountain infrastructure such as trails and huts,” explained Martin Šolar, Vice-President of the Alpine Association of Slovenia. He added that heavy rainfall, landslides and falling rocks accelerate changes in the bedrock and cause damage to trails, which must be maintained to ensure safety and long-term usability. Another key challenge is the increasing shortage of water required to operate mountain huts – an issue that calls for sustainable and effective solutions.

Winter activities in hilly and mountainous terrain are considerably more demanding than summer hiking, mountaineering or alpinism. Visitors need additional training, more experience, thorough preparation and a solid understanding of winter equipment and hazards. With thoughtful, gradual and responsible planning, however, suitable winter hiking destinations can certainly be found. Visitors also need to respect people and nature – which needs rest even in winter – and to park only in designated areas.

Proper equipment and the knowledge to use it correctly are essential for winter mountain visits and should never be underestimated, even on easier and shorter routes. For a lighter winter hike, appropriate footwear is essential – quality high hiking boots with a good sole – along with layered clothing. Trekking poles can be helpful, fitted with wide snow baskets when snow is present. A backpack should always include gloves, a hat, sunglasses, a first-aid kit, a map, a headlamp, spare clothing, a warm drink and an emergency food reserve. In deeper snow, gaiters are needed to prevent snow from entering boots, while icy trails require chains or crampons.

Lower-altitude mountain huts welcome visitors year-round, including in winter, when huts in high-mountain areas are mostly closed. Some huts – particularly those that are easily accessible – are open throughout the week, while many operate primarily on weekends. Slovenia has 159 mountain huts, of which 117 are currently open in winter, representing around 70 percent. Up-to-date information on hut operations is available on the Alpine Association of Slovenia website, which also features an interactive map of open and closed huts. 

In addition to technical equipment for snow-covered terrain, winter mountain visits require all standard gear used in snow-free conditions, as well as proper winter hiking boots and high-quality clothing that protects against wind, cold and moisture. Protection from strong sun is essential, as are spare clothes and sufficient warm fluids and food. A backpack should also contain a map, headlamp, fully charged mobile phone, first-aid kit and aluminium foil or a large emergency bivouac bag to prevent hypothermia. As reliable sources for trip preparation, the maPZS app, the ARSO website for weather and avalanche conditions, and the websites of the Alpine Association of Slovenia and the Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia were recommended.

Activities of the Slovenian Tourist Board in Promoting Mountain Safety

The Slovenian Tourist Board strives to provide mountain visitors with accurate and reliable information to support safe trip planning and ensure that mountain experiences remain enjoyable.

What you need to know before heading into the mountains is available under the title “Safely into the Slovenian Mountains,” offering a comprehensive set of essential information for planning hiking trips in the Slovenian Alps.

Visit the page

Tourism professionals – especially those in direct contact with guests and visitors – are encouraged to familiarise themselves with these safety guidelines and to include a link to this page in their communication channels, including websites and social media platforms.

Source: Manca Ogrin, Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS)

Cover photo: Manca Ogrin

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