No snow, no skiing

A NUMBER of ski resorts from the Alps to across Slovakia have been forced to close this winter due to a shortage of snow. Even the southern Slovak town of Hurbanovo broke 15 degrees Celsius on January 7, the warmest it's been in 106 years. And the bad news is, no significant change in weather is expected over the next few days.

Looking for better skiing conditions?
photo: Roman Millan

A NUMBER of ski resorts from the Alps to across Slovakia have been forced to close this winter due to a shortage of snow. Even the southern Slovak town of Hurbanovo broke 15 degrees Celsius on January 7, the warmest it's been in 106 years. And the bad news is, no significant change in weather is expected over the next few days.

Therefore, visitors should always keep informed about the latest ski conditions before visiting a resort. Freezing weather can only be maintained at altitudes above 1,500 metres. In Slovakia, this has so far only occurred in Lomnické Sedlo in the High Tatras, where the snow cover has reached almost 150 cm.

And what should we expect in the mountains next week? Large ski centres organize entertainment every weekend - such as the Snow Downhill & Fourcross Cup that should take place in Donovaly on January 20 - but the shortage of snow will most likely result in many cancellations.

To enjoy real skiing, head to ski centres at high altitudes in the Alps and keep hoping for a snowy winter.

For more information go to www.ski.sk.


Ski resort - price of daily ski pass - snow depth on 8.1.2007
Jasná-Chopok Sk790 25 cm*
Chopok-Juh Sk390 5cm
Štrbské Pleso Sk690 70 cm***
Donovaly Sk750 25 cm**
Skalnaté Pleso Sk690 145 cm**
Veľká Rača Sk740 20 cm*
Vrátna Sk680 20 cm*
Skipark Ružomberok Sk690 20 cm
Martinské hole Sk630 15 cm*
Plejsy Sk640 40 cm**

Conditions: *limited **good ***very good

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