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Enjoy the winter landscape on touring skis

Ski touring is an unforgettable experience if practised in a safe and responsible way. Carefully plan your tour, choose a suitable place and time, and don’t forget to use the appropriate equipment.

Discover the joys of touring on skis

Imagine cream-peaked mountains inviting you into their virgin white embrace. Enjoy the feeling of skiing through unbroken snow cover. The feeling of endless freedom. And although adrenaline is rushing through your veins, you feel indescribable peace and a profound connection with pristine nature. This is the magic of ski touring. This is no place for recklessness and error because a great deal of responsibility and deep respect for mountains and the laws of nature are required. Before you go ski touring, make sure you take care of your own safety and the safety of others on the tour.

ABC of ski touring

Ski touring is a combination of Alpine skiing on wild natural ski slopes, cross-country skiing and winter hiking. It usually takes place on unmarked slopes that are not organised for skiing. The main difference between Alpine skiing and ski touring is the fact that ski lifts or other means of transportation are not used to ascend the slope or hill and in ski touring the descent takes place off-piste. You can climb the hill on foot or use skis with climbing skins attached for an easier ascent. Ski touring is intended for excellent skiers who also have the appropriate ski touring and safety equipment. The best time for ski touring is winter or spring, depending on snow conditions and air temperature.

What do you prefer?

Ski touring has several disciplines, depending on the type of equipment you choose and the kind of touring you wish to do.

Splitboarding is a combination of snowboarding on unmarked natural ski slopes and winter hiking. A boarder attaches the board onto the ski backpack, climbs the hill on foot and then descends into the valley by riding the deep snow.

Ski touring is a combination of mountaineering and skiing. Prerequisites for such skiing include a tremendous will for tackling challenging ascents and a desire to exercise amidst pristine nature. This type of skiing requires special equipment.

In Alpine skiing, skiers ascend and ski along the same route. These are most frequently difficult terrains, e.g. cliffs, ravines, gullies and even waterfalls. Anyone attempting this sports discipline requires additional mountaineering equipment.

Safety comes first!

Ski touring is much more dangerous than classic Alpine skiing. As skiers descend along unbroken snowy slopes, they can be exposed to the possibility of avalanches and depressions and crevasses covered with snow where they can injure themselves. It is important that several things are taken into consideration when planning a tour.

Check and observe the weather and snow conditions. Do not go ski touring during periods of heightened avalanche risk.

Make sure you have the right safety equipment and check beforehand that it works and that you know how to use it properly. Also make sure you have equipment and clothing that is suitable for winter conditions.

Only go ski touring if you are a good skier/boarder, very fit and know how to react in extraordinary conditions in the mountains.

Never go ski touring alone. Always go in pairs or a small group. For safety reasons, keep distance between group members.

Plan your tour carefully and find out about the characteristics of the terrain and the current conditions in the area you are visiting. Pay attention to orientation when on tour.

Food, (hot) drinks and stops are essential to maintain concentration and avoid fatigue.

Safely into the mountains in winter. With or without skis.

Winter idyll in the mountains is truly beautiful, but do not be deceived. Conditions in the mountains are much more challenging and you need to be well prepared. The snow-covered landscape looks completely different than in dry season, with paths and some trail markers obscured by snow. Lower temperatures, wind, shorter days, much less constant conditions and double the time for each tour are the facts that you need to take into account. Ensure your own safety and the safety of others, do not disturb the calm of nature and respect each other – mountaineers use broken trails and do not walk on skiing tracks.

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Make sure you have suitable equipment

You will need special equipment for ski touring:

  • touring skis with suitable touring bindings
  • skins to make the ascent easier
  • ski touring boots

To prevent slipping on steeper or icy terrain, it is also advisable to use crampons, which can be mounted on the bindings to increase friction.

oprema za turno smucanje

 

Winter conditions in the mountains are different from those in the summer. The temperature is lower, the days are shorter and the huts are mostly closed. So take with you the following:

  • protective warm and spare clothing
  • hats
  • gloves
  • a helmet
  • sunglasses / ski goggles
  • sunscreen with SPF
  • a first aid kit, aluminium foil, a headlamp, a whistle
  • charged mobile phone with spare (portable) battery
uporaba plazovnega trojčka
Source: PZS, Photo: Peter Vrčkovnik

 

Of course, that is not all you should take with you when you are heading for the pristine white slopes. Suitable safety equipment is useful in any situation in which you find yourself in the mountains. Do not forget the following:

  • an avalanche beacon or transceiver, worn under the outer layer of clothing, which must be switched on at all times so that other skiers and rescuers can find you in the aftermath of an avalanche
  • an avalanche probe to enable an accurate search of a victim’s location and depth following an avalanche
  • an avalanche shovel
  • We also recommend an avalanche airbag backpack.

However, this equipment will be of no use to you if you are not familiar with using it. So please see the information on how to use the avalanche rescue kit.

Rules for using avalanche safety gear

Ski touring with a guide

Mountain slopes may be quite unpredictable and the risks they present must be taken seriously. So do not venture onto undisturbed white slopes on your own. It is best to go ski touring with an experienced certified guide, especially if you don’t have much experience and are unfamiliar with the terrain on which you wish to ski. Mountain guides have expert knowledge of the terrain and weather conditions. Furthermore, a good guide will help you improve your skills on icy terrain and attain a higher level of ski touring knowledge.

Mountain guides

Top locations for ski touring in Slovenia

Now that you’ve chosen the ideal day and perfect snow conditions, and have all the necessary equipment prepared, the only question remains is where to go ski touring. Check out some of the most popular tours in Slovenia.

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Juliana SkiTour – crossing the Julian Alps on touring skis

The Julian Alps are magnificent in all seasons. In winter, when the peaks are covered in snow, they are a true magnet for those pursuing ski touring joys. If you are one of them, you will certainly be glad to try a ski touring journey called Juliana SkiTour, which takes you across the Julian Alps from Kranjska Gora to Tolmin.

More on: Juliana SkiTour – crossing the Julian Alps on touring skis

Juliana SkiTour – crossing the Julian Alps on touring skis

Juliana SkiTour – crossing the Julian Alps on touring skis

The Julian Alps are magnificent in all seasons. In winter, when the peaks are covered in snow, they are a true magnet for those pursuing ski touring joys. If you are one of them, you will certainly be glad to try a ski touring journey called Juliana SkiTour, which takes you across the Julian Alps from Kranjska Gora to Tolmin.

More on: Juliana SkiTour – crossing the Julian Alps on touring skis

The Triglav Ski Touring Traverse

The Triglav Ski Touring Traverse

Ski touring on the Triglav Traverse is an experience every true ski tourer should experience at least once in their lives. You cross the snowy area between Mt Vogel and Mt Komna in 3 to 4 days on skis.

More on: The Triglav Ski Touring Traverse

Peaks above the Pokljuka Plateau

Peaks above the Pokljuka Plateau

The Alpine plateau of Pokljuka is an excellent starting point for ski touring adventures on the neighbouring peaks. The most popular among ski tourers are Mrežce, Debela peč, Viševnik, and Mali and Veliki Draški vrh.

More on: Peaks above the Pokljuka Plateau

Juliana SkiTour – crossing the Julian Alps on touring skis

Juliana SkiTour – crossing the Julian Alps on touring skis

The Julian Alps are magnificent in all seasons. In winter, when the peaks are covered in snow, they are a true magnet for those pursuing ski touring joys. If you are one of them, you will certainly be glad to try a ski touring journey called Juliana SkiTour, which takes you across the Julian Alps from Kranjska Gora to Tolmin.

More on: Juliana SkiTour – crossing the Julian Alps on touring skis

Kanin for touring skiers

Kanin for touring skiers

The Kanin mountains have always attracted both touring and freestyle skiers. One of the most popular tours is Rombonski podi plateau. It is a moderate tour with an elevation gain of 520 metres.

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A good ski tourer chooses trails that do not disturb the animals

Ski touring may be pleasurable for you, but for the animals living in mountainous areas it brings stress and disturbance, making them use up precious energy that is needed for their successful winter survival. The most popular ski touring trails in the broader area of the Pokljuka Plateau are found in the vicinity of quiet areas for ptarmigan, capercaillie, black grouse and chamois. To allow them to spend the winter as quietly as possible, check out the map of recommended ski touring trails in Pokljuka on which the animals will be ensured more peace and quiet.

turno smucanje_pokljuka_zemljevid poti

Destinations where you can find your own ski touring paradise

In the Alpine world, you will find a number of locations suitable for ski touring. Check out some of the destinations where you can find enjoyment on the pristine white slopes you prefer.

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Pohorje

Pohorje

Explore the snow-covered Pohorje on touring skis. Head to Lake Črno jezero, Lovrenc Lakes or the peaks Jezerski vrh and Črni vrh. You can also enjoy the ski touring at Mariborsko Pohorje.

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Bohinj

Bohinj

Bohinj is certainly one of the top destinations for ski tourers as the mountains surrounding the vast valley enable short ski touring adventures or ones that last several days.

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Krvavec

Krvavec

Although it is better known as one of the largest winter sports centres in Slovenia, it is possible to ascend Krvavec without the aid of ski lifts and then ski down its pristine white slopes. Even at night.

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The Soča River Valley

The Soča River Valley

The majestic peaks of the Julian Alps enable diverse possibilities for ski touring – from tours for beginners to those for more experienced ski tourers.

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The Upper Savinja Valley

The Upper Savinja Valley

Skiing down a snow-covered extinct volcano or above one of the most beautiful Alpine valleys in Europe? Discover your favourite location in the Upper Savinja Valley.

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Tržič

Tržič

It is said that the best powdery snow can be found in Tržič. Perhaps you can see it for yourself and choose the peaks in the Tržič Valley, such as Zelenica, Stol, Košuta and Kriška gora, for your next ski touring challenge.

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Jezersko

Jezersko

The primal mountain landscape of Jezersko is a perfect starting point for ski tourers venturing on tours in the western part of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.

Kranjska Gora

Kranjska Gora

You can descend the slopes of the Karavanke and Julian Alps on touring skis in Kranjska Gora and its surrounding area. To begin with, descend from Mt Dovška Baba and then ski down Mt Mojstrovka to provide a grand climax to your adventure.

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Koroška

Koroška

The snowy fairy-tale plains and unique winter vistas are a delight for ski tourers who will find their satisfaction in Koroška. Among the most popular experiences is a descent of the slopes of Mt Peca.

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