Climbers on the Skalka icefall near Kremnica, central Slovakia. (source: TASR)
TRAVEL
Learn something new about the Tatras
If venturing deeper into the snow covered valleys of the High Tatras and visiting mountain huts is not up your alley, but still want to experience something mountainous, you can learn about the history, monuments and interesting facts. This Saturday and Sunday, you will have the opportunity to spend some time walking around Vyšné Hágy and Štrbské Pleso, respectively. The guided tours take around two hours and the admission is free. Learn more, including the meeting points, here and here.
Tourists in the Štrbské Pleso resort. (source: TASR)
Last chance to try climbing an icefall
The Skalka icefall near the town of Kremnica, central Slovakia, is a great to spot to get that adrenaline fix. However, due to inflow of warmer air, the local mountain rescue service is going to close off the icefall on Sunday for the time being to prevent any harm. The icefall is 20 metres high and its scaling requires proper winter equipment such as crampons, ice axe, helmet and is intended for experienced climbers. If you are one, be sure to check it out. Find out more here.
Climbers on the Skalka icefall. (source: TASR)
SPORT
Fun on the slope
This Saturday, the Martinky ski resort near the town of Martin, northern Slovakia, will hold the Zimný Karneval (winter carnival) event, inviting skiers to don fun masks and go skiing. Find out more here.
Cross-country skiing at Štrbské Pleso
Are you a fan of cross-country skiing? Don't miss the 11th edition of the popular public race held in the Štrbské Pleso resort in the High Tatras. Two professional tracks with the length of 2 and 5 kilometres will be ready for participants, with a special one with obstacles for children. Even if you do not want to take part in the event, you can still come and cheer on those who do. For more information and registration, which can be done even in person, click here.
Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
Where to go ice-skating
Public ice-skating is in full swing once again, with towns operating ice rinks for everyone to enjoy this activity, usually on the weekends. Here is a list where you can go ice-skating: Bánovce nad Bebravou, Bratislava (here, here and here) Košice (here and here), Poprad (the training hall), Trenčín, Levoča, Nitra, Banská Bystrica, Zvolen, Prešov, Humenné, Liptovský Mikuláš. Look for words such as 'VEKO', 'VK', and 'Verejné Korčuľovanie'.
ART
Are you feeling cold yet?
Although the Scandi film festival officially started on Wednesday, the programme continues over the weekend as well. With cinemas all over the country taking part, you will have a great opportunity to experience the diversity of the contemporary award-winning films from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland. And not only that, there will be opportunities to talk directly to filmmakers behind them. Find out more about the films, programme, participating cinemas and more here.
The Kino Lumiere cinema. (source: SME - Marko Erd)
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Carters' challenge
In the village life of the past, a furman (carter) was a person who used to pull logs or other heavy loads with horses or oxen. This Saturday, the village of Hriňová, central Slovakia, will try to relive the tradition with a challenge. Carters will come to showcase their capability and skills with their horses in pulling logs. Admission is €2, click here to learn more.
A still from one of the previous editions of the challenge. (source: TASR)
Get new books
Have you already read every book you got as a Christmas present? Don't fret, the book swap taking place this Saturday in the Europa shopping centre in Banská Bystrica is here to help you. Until this Friday evening books are being collected and everyone can bring up to 10 books in good shape and receive tokens instead. On the next day, they will be able to exchange them for new books. If you don't bring any books, you will still be able to buy them for a small fee. Find out more here.
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
January 24-25: Wine cellar day in Svätý Jur
January 24-26: The Nitradog Carnival Cup dog exhibition in Nitra
January 25: Open wine cellar day in Banská Bystrica
January 26: An ice carnival in Trebišov
January 28, 30, 31: The best movies and series of 2024 night with movie critic Peter Konečný in Trenčín, Martin, Banská Štiavnica, respectively
January 30 - February 2: Japanese film festival in Bratislava
January 31: Night sky observation in Trebišov
February 8: The Krňačky Turecká sleigh racing in the village of Turecká
February 8: ModelCon 2025 plastic model and miniature show in Trnava
February 8: The best movies and series of 2024 night with movie critic Peter Konečný in Kremnica
February 13-14: Japanese film festival in Košice
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Discover modern Japanese cinema or enjoy the beauty of music with inspiring conversations.
WHAT TO LEARN: Dobro guitar inventor's Slovak roots unknown for many decades.
WHAT TO TRY: In Slovak Paradise, winter swimmers find their bliss.
WHAT TO SEE: Architect Dedeček called himself 'a carpenter in the age of concrete'. The premises of the Slovak National Gallery are part of a new exhibition itself.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a great weekend.
