STA, 8 January 2019 - Slovenian ski resorts are fairly happy with the way the season has been running so far despite what has been a serious lack of natural snow. Some have however been struggling, in particular the two high-altitude resorts Kanin and Vogel in the north-west, which do not have major artificial snow-making capabilities.
"Considering the conditions, we're relatively content," the head of the association of ski resort operators Ernest Kovač told the STA.
He explained that visitor numbers are comparable to last year's in most major skiing centres in the country owing to what was a relatively early activation of snow cannons.
The number of skiers is even up slightly at some of the resorts with artificial snow-making capabilities, but no centre has so far been able to open all the available ski lifts. Rogla in the north-east has come closest, having activated almost all of its slopes.
Things are more problematic at smaller centres as well as at Vogel, the ski resort above Lake Bohinj, and Kanin, Slovenia's highest-altitude ski resort.
Located on the Italian border and looking for a boost after it was reopened in late 2016, Kanin has seen a 25% to 30% drop compared to the 2017/2018 season. Situated at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, the centre has borrowed a snow cannon to start making artificial snow for the first time in its history.
Vogel has seen 32 skiing days this season, down almost 50% compared to last year. The Vogel cable car has transported 7,300 people this season, which compares to 27,000 at this point last year. The centre's representatives however remain optimistic, arguing some snow and a few sunny days could still turn things around completely.
Related: Opening Dates and What’s New at Slovenia’s Ski Resorts, 2018/19
