Slovenia ski holidays 2008

For skiers looking for a cheaper ski break this season Slovenia is one of the top eastern European destinations.

Its most famous resorts are Kranjska Gora and Maribor Pohorje - where international ski races are held. As these are not as high in altitude as some of resorts in the neighbouring Alps, skiers who want to be snow-sure may wish to wait and see before booking their break. However, this also means they are easier to reach, with the lower centre of Kranjska Gora at around 800 metres.

The highest ski resort in the country is Mount Kanin at around 2,000 metres, which still has snow cover in the spring. The Kanin Ski Center is so close to neighbouring Italy and Austria that holidaymakers who pick up a seven-day pass can also have two days skiing free at the Italian resorts of Sella Nevea and Tarvisio, or the Austrian ski area of Arnoldstein.

Cerkno Ski Centre, at around 1,300 metres is among the most modern in Slovenia thanks to its snowmaking equipment and covered chairlifts (the only ones in the country), and has guarantees snow for 70 days of the season. The resort is close to Gorenjska and Primorska.

Other resorts good for downhill skiing are Krvavec, located on a smooth meadow on the Kalška mountain range, Rogla, a 1,500-metre high resort with good links to saunas, spas and other sports facilities and Golte, suitable for beginners and intermediate skiers situated 1,600 metres up, accessible from the village of Žekovec.

For more information see the Slovenia tourist board ski page.