A ski mountaineer. (source: TASR)
Ski mountaineers climb groomed slopes and then ride them down. Resorts that take care of slopes do not profit in any way. Several of the largest ski resorts in Slovakia, which belong to the Tatry Mountain Resorts (TMR) portfolio, have decided to introduce entry fees for ski mountaineers, reports the website My Liptov.
Part of the reason is also the growing popularity of ski mountaineering and the frequent failure to respect the rules of conduct on the slopes on the part of ski mountaineers, who often endanger regular skiers.
"Some resorts have banned the activity completely, others regulate it by charging fees," informed Marián Galajda, PR manager of TMR.
Our detailed travel guide to the Tatras introduces you to the whole region around the Tatra mountains, including attractions on the Polish side.
The fee will be introduced in the Jasná resort in the Demänovská Dolina valley, as well the Štrbské Pleso and Tatranská Lomnica resorts, both in the High Tatras. In the Vrátna resort, a fee was introduced in the last season.
"The introduction of fees is a way for us to regulate this growing phenomenon and at the same time ensure that ski mountaineers partially participate in the maintenance of the slopes, which amounts to millions of euros a year and it is not fair for regular skiers to bear this burden only by themselves," said Marián Galajda.
"Thanks to our daily care for the slopes, we can extend the season for ski mountaineering enthusiasts, especially in conditions when skiing outside the groomed trails is not possible. Therefore, it is natural that they should contribute financially," added Igor Rattaj, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TMR.
€7 per day
Ski mountaineers who decide to visit one of the resorts will have to pay a fee to enter. A one-day fee costs €7, a season ticket costs €99.
The tickets include insurance for the mountain rescue service intervention. Ski mountaineering on the slopes is free of charge for owners of all types of GOPASS ski passes valid for the given day.
Rules and checks
Movement on the slopes will be possible only along marked routes and during the operating hours of the resorts. Movement outside opening hours is prohibited. Ski patrols and other mechanisms will ensure observance of rules.
It will be possible to enter marked routes at predetermined locations. In Jasná, these are Lúčky, Biela Púť, Krupová and Srdiečko. In Tatranská Lomnica, ski mountaineers can start the ascent at the cable car. In the case of Štrbské Pleso the route starts at the Esíčko slope.
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