Lomnické Sedlo is the only location this winter with the proper conditions for skiing.
photo: Roman Millan
SKI resorts have been fighting tooth and nail for every last bit of snow on their slopes, yet the situation continues to resemble more early April than the peak of winter. Only narrow strips of snow remain on many slopes and some lifts and cableways have even gone out of operation completely. Recent snow drifts only reached altitudes around 1,600-1,800 metres, which means just one place in Slovakia, Lomnické Sedlo, can offer genuine winter conditions. There, the snow is 1.5 metres deep.
Nevertheless, the forecast for the upcoming week looks promising. At the beginning, the temperature at altitudes of 1,500 metres should decrease to -5 degrees Celsius, allowing for at least artificial snow, and perhaps some natural snow fall as well. Though almost all events planned at winter resorts have been cancelled or postponed, snowboard fans will still meet in Vrátna between January 26-27 at the European Snowboard Cup, which is where Slovak Olympic silver medalist Rado Židek and Veronika Zuzuľová, a medallist from the recent slalom world cup in Kranjska Gora, train. And those keen on free exhibitions should not miss the third year annual Freeskiing Challenge 2007 in Donovaly on January 27.
What's left to say? Probably just "think snow."
For more information go to www.ski.sk.
Ski resort - price of daily ski pass - snow depth on 17.1.2007
Jasná-Chopok
Sk790
20 cm*
Chopok-Juh (out of operation)
Sk390
5cm
Štrbské Pleso
Sk690
70 cm***
Donovaly
Sk750
15 cm**
Skalnaté Pleso
Sk690
145 cm**
Veľká Rača
Sk740
15 cm*
Vrátna
Sk680
25 cm*
Skipark Ružomberok (out of operation)
Sk690
10 cm
Martinské hole (out of operation)
Sk630
15 cm*
Plejsy
Sk640
40 cm**
Conditions:*limited**good ***very good
