Forecasts promise snow; tourists are impatient (source: Roman Millan)
IT SEEMS that the last ten days of January will be the first ten days of real winter, as meteorologists forecast the arrival of a cold arctic air. This should change rain into snowfall. Temperatures should head closer to average for this time of year and decrease from above zero levels to -10/-14 C in the mountains. The forecast further promises that the winter weather will stay until mid February.
Thus it seems that skiers will finally find enough snow to satisfy their zest for skiing. This is good news because even though skiing conditions are good or very good, the base on slopes is created from old frozen snow. The first swarms of skiers into Slovak centres are expected to be from Poland and Hungary.
Apart from skiing, mountain visitors can also attend competitions on traditional wooden sledges (krňačky) at Donovaly on January 26 at the track Nová Hoľa – Donovaly. Moreover, ski centres in Vrátna, Skipark Ružomberok, Veľká Rača, Jasná or Valčianska valley have prepared programmes with music and various competitions for every weekend.
Since meteorologists forecast windy conditions for the coming week, skiers should watch reports closely as to whether the wind has disabled chair lifts on slopes. This refers particularly to ski centres such as Vrátna – Chleb, Donovaly – Nová Hoľa, Jasná and Lomnické Sedlo.
For more information, go to www.holidayinfo.sk.
