Ski Window

WINTER has certainly arrived with significant snowfall and strong winds. The mountains of northern Slovakia are covered with 20 to 100 centimetres of new, wet snow, which makes for decent skiing. All marked ski trails in Slovakia are protected against avalanches but those wishing to ski off trail should consult with Ski Patrol about possible off-piste avalanche hazards in the High and Low Tatras. Skiing off trail in National Parks in Slovakia is also illegal.

Snow conditions and ticket prices valid as January 13

The SPECTATOR's regular ski update
ski resort	snow	conditions	skipass	notes
Jasná	40 - 50 cm	very good	Sk690	12 out of 16 lifts in service
Chopok - South	80 - 100 cm	very good	Sk500	4 out of 6 lifts in service
Donovaly	50 - 60 cm	very good	Sk640	13 out of 15 lifts in service
Veľká Rača	30 - 50 cm	very good	Sk650	5 out of 6 lifts in service
Štrbské Pleso	100 cm	very good	Sk640	All lifts in service
Plejsy	60 cm	very good	Sk590	4 out of 7 lifts in service
Skipark Ružomberok	50 cm	very good	Sk650	All lifts in service
Martinské hole	70 cm	very good	Sk550	All lifts in service (the surcharge for the chair lift to resort is Sk150)
Zverovka	70 cm	very good	Sk580	All lifts in service
Lomnnické sedlo	150 cm	very good	Sk550	Price includes a gondola ride from Tatranská Lomnica
Vrátna dolina	25 - 40 cm	very good	Sk570	7 out of 13 lifts in service

AFTER a bout of warm weather, winter has once again returned to the mountains. This week offers typical January weather: a few snow showers but otherwise partly cloudy weather. Many of Slovakia's slopes are tree-lined so visibility is generally good even in flat light conditions. Temperatures at 1,000 meters should range between -10 and -4 degrees celcius, and we should not see any major snow until the end of the week. Those who enjoy "free heel" skiing should visit Martinské hole (30 km from Žilina) where a Telemark party will be held from January 21 to 23 (for more, see www.telemark.sk). There will be a demo day at Veľká Rača on January 22 where skiers can test new equipment from Elan.

Prepared by Roman Millan with John Sherwood, Special to the Spectator