Cross-country skiing is becoming increasingly popular from year to year. This popular winter activity has its roots in Nordic countries, where it originated as a technique for travelling cross-country over snow on skis. If you are looking for a good way to explore the snow-covered countryside, cross-country skiing is a great choice.

Cross-country skiing is not a difficult winter discipline. With a little effort and the help of an experienced instructor, you will quickly master the techniques of cross-country skiing.

Some good reasons to try cross-country skiing:

• It’s good for your health, because it takes place in the fresh air and natural surroundings;
• It’s a simple activity that is also suitable for beginners;
• It’s an excellent way of spending time with friends and family;
• It’s suitable both for recreational athletes and for elite competitors;
• It’s affordable, because you don’t need ski passes for lifts.

Tempted to give it a try? Take advantage of the positive effects of an intense winter activity, improve your physical fitness and boost your feelings of well-being.

Which cross-country skiing technique should you choose? Skate or classic?

There are two main cross-country skiing techniques. One is the classic technique and the other is the skate (or freestyle) technique.  Both techniques also include a number of other elements. Good motor skills, good fitness and good balance are a precondition for mastering both techniques.

Every beginner starts off by wondering which technique to choose and what gear to buy. You can start with either the skate technique or the classic technique, depending on preference.

Classic technique

The classic technique is the basis of cross-country skiing. Ideally every beginner should learn the classic technique first and then build on it by adding the skate technique and other individual elements of cross-country skiing. The classic technique is essentially walking on skis. This technique is used for cross-country skiing on groomed tracks. The skis glide along the trail in the direction of movement. The classic technique is based on a double diagonal stride. This means that the right arm and left leg move forward together – just like in walking. The classic technique can be divided into separate phases: preparing for push-off (aka kick), push-off and return to starting position. Slightly longer skis (+10 to +15 cm) are used for the classic technique.

Skate technique

The skate technique is more suitable for flat terrain. It is important that the ground offers a good surface for sliding. The skate technique can be divided into four phases: starting position, preparing for push-off, push-off and return to starting position. Slightly shorter skis are used for the skate technique. The skate technique requires a wide trail. It can be used on all types of packed and frozen terrain. As the skier alternates from leg to leg, they describe a “V” in the snow, while using their arms to thrust powerfully with the poles. The skate technique is faster than the classic technique.

Top cross-country skiing destinations in Slovenia

For the benefit of all cross-country skiing enthusiasts, we have looked at all the cross-country skiing trails in Slovenia to find the best ones. Below we offer you some destinations where cross-country skiing trails are groomed throughout the winter.

Areh is a flat area of the Ruško Pohorje with a small ski resort and 7 km of well-maintained cross-country trails. The trails are not difficult and mainly follow forest tracks. There are five marked and well maintained cross-country loop trails in Areh. These vary in length from 1.3 to 6 km. Each trail is equipped with information panels showing the length, elevation profile and position. The terrain is mainly gently rising and the occasional inclines are not difficult. More details on the cross-country trails.

Bloke lies at the edge of the Notranjska region, between Cerkniško Polje and the valleys of Loška Dolina and Ribniška Dolina. It lies at an elevation of between 720 and 800 m above sea level. In winter it is a popular destination for cross-country skiers. It is also considered the cradle of cross-country skiing in Slovenia.  The Bloke plateau boasts a number of well-groomed cross-country skiing trails. When winter conditions are good, the Bloke Cross-Country Marathon is held here. The marathon course is 21 km long. The trail is prepared for both techniques: classic and skate. At the time of the marathon, the track is groomed for its entire length. The Resje and Piškovec competition trails are approximately 2.5 km long and groomed for cross-country skiing using both techniques. More details on the cross-country trails.

Bohinj is without a doubt the best known Alpine basin in Slovenia and lies at the heart of the Triglav National Park. As well as Lake Bohinj you can admire the South Bohinj Range and the towering peaks of the Julian Alps. Cross-country skiing has a long tradition in Bohinj. Trails run across the whole of the valley. For the most part, they are flat, well-groomed and marked.

Trails:

• ROUTE 1: Upper Bohinj Valley: Stara Fužina–Srednja Vas| length 9.6 km | height above sea level 545–590 m | difficulty 1|
• ROUTE 2: Upper Bohinj Valley: Srednja Vas–Jereka | length 4 km | height above sea level 585–615 m | difficulty 1–2 |
• ROUTE 3: Lower Bohinj Valley: Laški Rovt–Žlan | length 4.5 km | height above sea level 520–545 m | difficulty 1–2 |
• ROUTE 4: Lower Bohinj Valley: Bistrica–Dobrava–Žlan | length 8.7 km | height above sea level 505–595 m | difficulty 2–3 |

Cross-country trails in Gorjuše and Goreljek run between Bohinj and Pokljuka.

Črna na Koroškem is famous as the home of top Alpine skier Tina Maze and is known for its beautifully groomed cross-country skiing trails. Cross-country skiing has a very long tradition in the Koroška region. There are two well-groomed trails in Črna:

• ROUTE 1: Bistra (snow-making equipment available) | length 2 km | height above sea level 600–630 m| difficulty 2 |
• ROUTE 2: Loge (depending on the winter and the quantity of natural snow) | length 3 km | height above sea level 815–840 m| difficulty 2–3 |

Črni Vrh nad Idrijo lies at the eastern end of the high karst plateau of Trnovski Gozd, on the edge of a karst polje. The locality is known for its cross-country skiing marathon (Trnovski maraton), which takes place on a 20.7 km trail below the slopes of Špik (1,068 m above sea level).

Information on the trail:

• Marathon course: length 20.7 km | height above sea level 685–755 m) | difficulty 2–3

Jelovica is a forested plateau in the Alpine foothills that extends above the Sava Bohinjka river between the settlements of Kropa and Kamna Gorica and south as far as the Selška Sora river. A number of groomed cross-country skiing trails cross this forested karst plateau. More details on the cross-country trails.

Jezersko is an Alpine valley at the foot of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and a true paradise for cross-country skiers.  Cross-country skiing has a very long tradition here, with cross-country skiing competitions held in the area in the past. Thanks to the wide, flat valley bottom, the terrain is very suitable for cross-country skiing. The section known as Ravenska Kočna offers 15 km of carefully groomed cross-country trails. The trails are suitable for cross-country skiers of all abilities.

The trails are made up of five separate sections or loops. Four loops measure between 1.8 and 3.1 km with a maximum elevation difference of 30 m, while the fifth loop is 4.6 km long with an elevation difference of 111 m. When there is not enough natural snow, the trails are covered with artificial snow.

Information on the trails:

• Route 1: Šenk–Jenk–Kropivnik | length 6.7 km | height above sea level 895–925 m | difficulty 2 |
• Route 2: Anclovo–Ravenska Koča | length 6.2 km | height above sea level 950–1,070 m | difficulty 3 |

Kranjska Gora is one of the best known ski resorts in Slovenia. It is located in the Upper Sava Valley. As well as the numerous ski runs on the slopes, you will find several beautifully groomed cross-country skiing trails down in the valley. The longest group of trails runs from the centre of Kranjska Gora to Rateče, past Planica to the mountain hut in the Tamar Valley (Planinski dom Tamar). The total length of all the trails is 30 km. Shorter cross-country trails can be found in Gozd Martuljek, Mojstrana and Radovna. Some of the trails are prepared using artificial snow and floodlit for night skiing.

Information on the trails:

• • Route 1: Kranjska Gora loop| length 1.8 km | height above sea level 800 m | difficulty 1|
  • Route 2: Kranjska Gora connecting trail – Rateče/Planica fork | length 11 km | height above sea level 800–880 m | difficulty 1–2|
  • Route 3: Rateče loop along the old railway line (partly in Italy) | length 11.7 km | height above sea level 845–870 m | difficulty 2 |
  • Route 4a: Planica loop – recreational trail| length 4.5 km | height above sea level 880–955 m | difficulty 3 |
  • Route 4b: Planica loop – FIS trail | length 5 km | height above sea level 900–990 m | difficulty 1–2 |
  • Route 5: NC Planica–Tamar trail | length 8.3 km | height above sea level 950–1,115 m | difficulty 2–3 |
  • Route 6: Gozd Martuljek loop | length 2.5 km | height above sea level 740–755 m | difficulty 1 |
  • Route 7: Mojstrana loop | length 2 km | height above sea level 635–645 m | difficulty 1 |
  • Route 8: Radovna loop | length 1.5 km | height above sea level 750–770 m | difficulty 1–2 |

Logarska Dolina, the most beautiful Alpine Valley in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, is popular in the summer both as a starting point for mountain expeditions and as a destination for cyclists. In winter, however, it becomes a true paradise for cross-country skiers. When winter conditions are favourable, a 16 km cross-country trail (suitable for both classic and skate techniques) loops through the valley. If there is a shortage of snow in the valley, smaller cross-country training trails are prepared using artificial snow.

Information on the trails:

• Route 1: Kapela–Juvanija–Plesnik
• Route 2: Plesnik (during the Logarska Dolina Cross-Country Marathon the trails are linked together to form a whole)
• Route 3: Rinka: length 6.1 km, difficulty 2–3

Pokljuka is a forested high karst plateau in the Julian Alps. It is a popular starting point for a variety of hikes and climbs into the high mountains. Pokljuka is best known for its modern biathlon centre, where international biathlon competitions are held annually. In winter Pokljuka is a real paradise for cross-country skiers. The trails run along forest paths among the pines. There are two sports centres on the plateau with groomed cross-country skiing trails: one at Rudno Polje and the other at Goreljek. When snow is in short supply, sections of trail are covered with artificial snow.

Information on the trails:

• ROUTE 1: Center Triglav–Uskovnica–Center Triglav (two-way trail)| length 5.6 km | height above sea level 1,305–1,345 m | difficulty 1–2 |
• ROUTE 2: Nad Vojašnico loop | length 7.1 km | height above sea level 1,320–1,430 m | difficulty 2–3 |
• ROUTE 3: IBU loop – a competition trail used for international biathlon competitions | length 3.6 km | height above sea level 1,335–1,375 m | difficulty 3–T |
• ROUTE 4: Javorniška Planina loop. Route over the Javornik section of the Pokljuka plateau | length 2.5 km | height above sea level 1,290–1,315 m | difficulty 2–3 |
• ROUTE 5: Goreljek loop | length 6 km | height above sea level 1,210–1,295 m | difficulty 3 |

The Ribniško Pohorje is a very popular excursion destination. In winter it is a paradise both for downhill skiing and for cross-country skiing. The cross-country trails here traverse the varied terrain of the Pohorje and enchant visitors with the beauty of the landscape.

Information on the trails:

• ROUTE 1: Ribniška Koča–Črni Vrh–Ribniška Koča loop | length 7 km | height above sea level 1,475–1,540 | difficulty 3 |
• ROUTE 2: Ribniška Koča–Pungart (Kope) trail – difficult climb to the summit of Črni Vrh | length 5 km | height above sea level 390–1,540 m| difficulty 3 |

Rogla is a popular sports, recreation and ski centre in the Pohorje. It is the ideal choice for families and individuals who want to spend their free time actively in the midst of unspoilt nature. Rogla has been a well-known cross-country skiing centre since serving as an FIS Cross-Country World Cup venue in the 2009 and 2011 seasons.

Trail map

Information on the trails:

• The cross-country trails are made up of seven loops measuring 1.5 km, 2.5 km, 3.75 km, 5 km, 7.5 km and 10 km.

The Jakec Recreation and Tourism Centre is located in the Trije Kralji ski resort in the Pohorje, 18 km from Slovenska Bistrica, at a height of 1,200 m above sea level. The ski resort prepares a cross-country skiing trail every year.

Information on the trail:

• Route 1: Two-way 6.8 km trail | height above sea level 1,050–1,190 m | difficulty 1–2

Velika Planina, a high karst plateau in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, lies at an elevation of 1,500 m above sea level. Its highest point is Gradišče (1,666 m). Velika Planina is extremely popular with cross-country skiers and ski touring enthusiasts. In summer it is popular with hikers and cyclists.

Map

Information on the trails:

• The cross-country trail runs from the Zeleni Rob mountain hut/restaurant to the little church dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows (Marija Snežna). When snow conditions are particularly favourable, trails also run to Mala Planina.

The Vojsko plateau lies between the valleys of the Idrijca, the Kanomljica and the Trebuša. In summer it is a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers. In winter it attracts winter hikers and cross-country skiers.

Cross-country trails run across the plateau and are suitable both for the skate technique and for the classic technique. The trails are suitably marked and of different lengths: 2.5 km, 5 km, 8 km and 10 km.

Information on the trails:

• Cross-country trails run across the plateau and are suitable both for the skate technique and for the classic technique. The trails are suitably marked and measure 2.5 km, 5 km, 8 km and 10 km.

Difficulty levels of cross-country trails

Cross-country skiing trails are ranked according to the following levels of difficulty:

1 – Easy trails: mainly flat; suitable for beginners.

2 – Medium-difficult trails: trails with gentle climbs and easy descents; suitable for anyone who already has some experience of cross-country skiing.

3 – Difficult trails: trails with bigger climbs requiring good physical fitness and difficult descents requiring adequate technical skill; these trails are also suitable for competition training.

T – Competition trails: trails that are certified for international competitions.