Gleaming whiteness of the Julian Alps

The beautiful white blanket has finally descended over the peaks and valleys of the Julian Alps, bathing them in a winter idyll. And because the Julian Alps are such a wide and varied area, you can go from completely snow-covered valleys to, say, Brda, where there is virtually no snow, in a very short time, so that even in the middle of the worst of winter you can enjoy cycling or walking with wonderful views of the colour contrasts. These contrasts are also reflected in the activities you can enjoy.

Of course, the number one winter sport is alpine skiing and the Julian Alps have some excellent ski resorts. The Vogel is the most famous, of course, but don’t miss the ski resorts of Kranjska Gora, Soriška planina, Zatrnik, Kozji hrbet and Pokljuka. If you like to look uphill on your skis and not just downhill, you also like cross-country skiing and touring. Soriška Planina, Pokljuka, Bohinj and Kranjska Gora boast the biggest cross-country skiing areas, but when the snow falls, local enthusiasts also make cross-country ski trails in Radovljica, Žirovnica and the Soča Valley.

In winter, you can also take advantage of the regular winter shuttle bus.

Cross-country skiing is extremely popular because the Julian Alps offer a wealth of terrain, from the more exposed to the well protected when conditions are more dangerous. Of course, touring can be dangerous, so it requires a serious and responsible approach. Reading the snow and weather conditions in the mountains is even more important, and mistakes are more quickly punished, so it’s worth investing in knowledge and going on a tour with a guide with years of experience, because it’s with practice that you learn the most. The most famous tour, or rather network of ski tours, is called the Juliana SkiTour. It offers 4 days to experience the best terrain in the Julian Alps.

Of course, snow cover doesn’t mean that the peaks become inaccessible, it just means that you’ll be treated to a whole new set of views and vistas. As with touring, however, extra care is needed when planning your trip, and also when it comes to the equipment you take into the mountains. The crampons should definitely find a place in your rucksack. If you’re looking for an easy but still extremely beautiful tour, we recommend a hike on Tromeja.

Winter also means low temperatures, but when these drop sufficiently, the liquid water of the waterfalls turns solid. Which means you can stick your ice pick and ice crampons in them and start ice climbing. Super waterfalls are formed in the Mlačca Gorge, Martuljek Falls, Log pod Mangartom, Trenta and under the Krn Mountains.

But it’s not just waterfalls that offer the pleasures of frozen water. The ice is also an attraction at outdoor ice rinks, such as the ice rink overlooking Lake Bled and the ice rink in Radovljica, as well as the Podmežakla sports hall in Jesenice and the Ice Hall in Bled.

One of the most sociable activities you can do in the Julian Alps, especially with the family, is sledgging. There’s nothing better than going up a hill with laughter and stories, and sledging down it while squealing and flushed cheeks. The good thing about sledgging is that you can find suitable terrain practically anywhere in the Julian Alps, but perhaps the most popular is a trip to the Tamar Valley.