Slovenia , Europe

Team Sigurdsson Julian Alps Day Tours

If you have never been to the Julian Alps and you're a keen ski mountaineer in search of somewhere new and exciting, then the extreme eastern Alps could be just the thing you're looking for.

Mt. Triglav, the symbol of Slovenia, is quite rightly the main focus of attention, and this area has become much more popular since the Triglavski Dom refuge was opened on the panoramic col close to the summit.

The most interesting ski mountaineering itineraries can be undertaken here in spring when the long steep gullies are perfectly covered in snow. The natural environment is extraordinary and, despite the relatively low altitude, retains a "wild" feel more commonly associated with the greater mountain ranges.

You will stay 7 nights in a comfortable hotel Triangel.

Day Itinerary

  • Fly to Ljubljana, transfer to Kranjska Gora and stay overnight in hotel Triangel.

    Meet up with the guides for the welcome meeting, kit check and briefing on the itinerary for the week.

  • We start with a short 15-minute drive to Italy. From Tarviso we'll ascend with the cable car to Monte Lussari and spend the first hour or so getting our ski legs back. Your first ascent of the week is the Cima del Cacciatore which is a gentle 1 hr 30-minute climb. We'll enjoy a traditional lunch in Rifugio “Pri Juretu” before skiing back down to the hotel in Kranjska Gora.

    The maximum gradient (in ascent/descent) is 40°.
    Total elevation gain/loss: 500m/1500m

  • From the hotel, it's another short drive to the trailhead on the Vrsic pass. Today's climb is up to Slemenova Spica (90-minute climb) from where we enjoy the 1000m descent to Planica and lunch in the “Tamar” hut. Recommended food is Jota, typical Slovenian cabbage dish and apple strudel. On the end in Planica, we will see one of the biggest ski jumps in the world and remember “Eddie the Eagle” who jumped there. Return to the hotel.

    The maximum gradient (in ascent/descent) is 40°. Total elevation gain/loss: 400m/1000m

  • Drive to Sella Nevea (40min). Sella Nevea – Kanin is the biggest ski resort in Julian Alps. Ascend with the cable-car up to the Prevala saddle. Ski descent to Krnica to “B” station. Use the cable car to return to Kanin from where it's a short skin/climb to the “Window” in Mont Prestreljenik. Amazing ski descent back to Sella Neva.
    Return to Kranjska Gora to the hotel.

    The maximum gradient (in ascent/descent) is 45°.
    Total elevation gain/loss: 300m/2200m

     

  • Drive to Bohinj (50min), with take the cable-car up to Vogel for a morning of off piste skiing. In the afternoon we'll climb Mt Sija before returning to the car and back to Kranjska Gora.

    The maximum gradient (in ascent/descent) is 40°.
    Total elevation gain/loss: 200m/1400m

     

  • A full day's ski touring to the Fussine Lakes and the Mangart saddle. We return the same way.

    The maximum gradient (in ascent/descent) is 35°.
    Total elevation gain/loss: 1100m/1100m


    Option: in good condition, we can go heli-skiing on Mt Stol in Karavanke from where we can ski down to Austria - Bodental valley.

    The maximum gradient (in ascent/descent) is 40°.
    Total elevation gain/loss: 100m/1200m

    Return to the hotel in Kranjska Gora.

     


    Alternative:

     

    A full day's ski touring to Mt Mala Mojstrokva. The day starts with a short 15-minute drive to the trailhead on the Vrsic pass. Mt Mala Mojstrovka is a classic, beautiful mountain. We enjoy a great ski descent to Drevesnica and the short skin back to Vrsic pass. Return to Kranjska Gora for our final night in the hotel Triangel.

    The maximum gradient (in ascent/descent) is 35°.
    Total elevation gain/loss: 1000m/1000m

  • After breakfast, we return back to airport Ljubljana. Depending on our flight time you may have time for some sightseeing in this delightful city.

    This is a sample itinerary only and is subject to change depending on snow and weather conditions and the recommendations of your guides.

     

The price includes:

  • 6 nights on a B&B basis in a hotel Triangel, twin share
  • 5-day Mountain Guide's fees and expenses
  • Local transfers
  • Return airport transfers
  • Access to wellness & spa area in the hotel
     
The price does not include:
  • Ski passes
  • Evening meals
  • Lunches and drinks
  • Insurance
  • Flights
  • Uplift costs

 Skipass cost per day should be no more than 45Euro pp.

 

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As you prepare for our Day Ski Touring trips, here’s an essential list of equipment to bring along.

Throughout the journey, you will enjoy comfortable accommodation on a half-board or B&B basis. You’ll only need to carry a day pack with your avalanche safety gear and a few personal items.

For some trips, you may spend 1 or 2 nights in a mountain hut. These huts offer a basic yet comfortable experience with amenities like running cold water, European-style toilets, and dormitory-style sleeping arrangements. They provide ‘hut slippers’—typically Crocs—so you won’t need extra footwear. However, you should bring a sleeping bag liner, as huts supply duvets or blankets and pillows for your stay, eliminating the need for a full sleeping bag.

  • For all touring trips it is essential you ski with an all-mountain/freeride type skis, ski touring boots and ski touring bindings. If you have your own skis but they do not have ski touring bindings then you will need to rent skis. The same applies if you have downhill ski boots, you will need to rent ski touring boots.

    Skis

    This winter our lead guides are using Elan skis. Praised by magazine testers and professional skiers alike for its unique blend of lightweight performance, the Ripstick 96 is proven to be the ultimate freeride ski in all snow conditions. The Ripstick 106 is the ultimate freeride ski for any terrain. From boundary line to the base lodge, peak to the parking lot, and trailhead to tailgate this ski excels in all conditions. The new Ripstick Tour 94 is designed on a wider platform, enabling the skier to float better, ski faster, and turn easier in backcountry conditions.

    It is built to blend high performance at a low weight, for the perfect mix of freeride downhill performance and efficient ascending capability. With Ripstick Tour 94, the confidence to conquer long ascents and charge challenging descents is the name of the game.

    There are many ‘all-mountain/freeride’ skis to choose from and we also recommend skis from Salomon, Dynastar, Movement, Black Crows, Trab Skis, Scott and Volkl.  Look for a ski that is the right size for your height, typically the tip of the ski should be somewhere around your nose height.  As for the width of the ski or “side cut” a mid-fat ski – 90-110mm under the foot is a good place to start; this offers plenty of flotation off-piste while remaining suitable for day tours and they should also handle reasonably well on piste and mixed terrain.

    Elan Skis: www.elanskis.com

    Dynastar Skis:  www.dynastar.com

    Movement Skis: www.movementskis.com                                       

    Black Crows Skis: www.blackcrows-skis.com/

    Trab Skis: www.skitrab.com/en-us/

    Scott Skis: http://www.scott-sports.com

    Volkl Skis: http://www.voelkl.com

     

    There are plenty of other great skis to choose from so if you’re planning on buying skis for ski touring or general skiing and have any questions do not hesitate to call us, or Lockwoods, to discuss the options available.

    If you are planning on buying skis for ski touring and general skiing and have any questions do not hesitate to call us to discuss the options available to you.

    Boots

    It is essential that you have ski touring boots for these trips as walking uphill is much more comfortable in these types of boots with a walk mode and great flex; a dedicated touring boot or a hybrid hike & ride boot is best. 

    Our guides are using ROXA boots. They recommend R3 ski boots, the lightest high-performance alpine ski boot in its class. The 110 TI is geared for big mountain chargers who may use “Tech” and/or Alpine bindings and often hike or skin to find their lines. The RX Tours is targeted toward skiers who prefer to blaze their own trail and leave the lift lines behind.

    Scarpa has led the way in touring boots for many years but they have been joined by other manufacturers like Dynafit, Salomon, Scott, Black Diamond, Dalbello and K2; all producing their own versions of ski touring boot.

    ROXAR3 and RX Tour ski boots provide a range of models suitable for all sorts of terrain and snow conditions. It is a family-owned company located in Italy, focused on advanced materials, and ultralight compounds and one of the first companies to use

    • Scarpa’s Freedom boots are their Hybrid offerings, with great ski performance, a walk mode and Vibram sole. Their Maestrale (men’s) and Gea (women’s) boots are also highly recommended.
    • The Scott Celeste and Cosmo boots have stood the test of time and are good all-around choices.
    • Salomon’s Quest Max series offer boots with a walk mode in various flex’s with good downhill performance.
    • Dynafit offer the Mercury or Vulcan boots plus a range of lightweight options like the TLT6.

    The best of the rest are:
    Fischer - Transalp
    Black Diamond – Quadrant and Factor
    K2 – Pinnacle boot
    Dalbello – Lupo or Sherpa
    Langue – XT series offer a ski boot with a walk mode in various flex options

    Boot Liners
    These days many manufacturers offer ‘thermo-fit¹ liners as standard equipment. You may also want to consider a custom liner as these are heated and molded to your foot and boot for a perfect fit. They can make all the difference especially if you have trouble finding really comfortable ‘off-the-shelf’ boots. Zipfit liners are a great option for anyone seeking total customisation in fit and comfort. They will replace the original liner.

    Custom Footbeds
    Essential kit – to provide additional comfort and ski control. If you want to get footbeds made or a pair of new boots fitted then we suggest you visit somewhere like Profeet for a professional fitting. Don’t forget if you have footbeds in your downhill boots but need to rent touring boots then you can bring the footbeds with you and put them in the hire boots.

    Bindings
    For all ski touring trips ski touring bindings are essential. Fritschi and Marker both make excellent ski-touring bindings and you have a few different options to choose from. Many more people are seeing the advantage of the “pin” binding system now offered by a number of manufacturers as these are light and offer ever-improving security despite their minimalist looks!

    It’s essential you have ski touring bindings on your skis. Although Pin bindings have been around since the Dynafit Low Tech bindings over 30 years ago since their patent expired the technology has advanced substantially. Salomon, with their Shift Binding, are at the forefront; they’re ‘multi norm compatible’ so fit a selection of boots and are lighter than most freeride bindings. Our lead guides are using the Shift binding this winter, so if you’d like to know more about them give Lockwoods a ring.

    Ski Poles
    We recommend telescopic poles. They must have wide powder baskets (4-5 inches/100-120mm diameter) otherwise you’ll be up to your armpits on the ascents. Go for an alloy rather than carbon poles which are lighter but have a nasty habit of snapping near the basket due to ski edge nicks.

    Rucksack
    For most ski tours especially multi-day hut-to-hut tours you will need a 35 - 40 litre rucksack. You might get away with a big 30 liter pack if you are an experienced ski tourer and know what to pack. Most people will find a 35-40 liter pack is a good size for touring.

    Key features of a good ski touring pack:

    • a method of attaching your skis in either an A-frame (one either side) or both together on a diagonal ski carriage
    • easy access into the main compartment without having to empty the sack to get something at the bottom
    • separate pocket for avalanche shovel, handle and probe
    • small top pocket for items like wallet, sunglassed/goggles etc; an ice axe loop
    • built-in rain cover and a secure method of attaching/stowing a ski helmet 
    • good hip/waist belt and adjustable shoulder straps

    Ortovox Haute Route 40 rucksack will be a good choice for ski touring trips. 

    Avalanche airbag rucksacks can be used for touring but they are heavy, adding somewhere between 5-8kg just for an empty pack plus canister. So unless you are sure you can carry it and fit all you need in, we do not recommend you use one. 

    Over a long multiday tour, every gram of weight is important as you have to carry and move it yourself. Carrying a heavy pack will hinder and tire all but the most experienced and fit ski tourer.

     

    • Ski Skins – these are skins which, now made of artificial fabric, stick to the bottom of your skis and allow you to walk up hill. They must be cut to fit your skis exactly, so if you are bringing your own skis you must provide your own skins.
    • Ski Crampons (aka couteaux) - most ski touring bindings have ski crampons specifically designed for the binding. We always carry these just in case. Again if you are bringing your skis and touring bindings you must provide your own ski crampons. 
    • Ice Axe - general lightweight mountaineering / alpine pick. Ideally this needs to be short enough to fit in your pack.
    • Boot Crampons - ideally lightweight aluminum ones although steel crampons are required for more demanding tours
    • Climbing Harness - a simple lightweight harness. The key feature is that it should have fully adjustable leg loops for putting on over ski boots, crampons, etc.
    • Helmet - Some people choose to ski tour with a helmet, this is up to you. If you bring a Normal ski helmet they are heavy to carry. Many manufacturers now have lightweight ski touring helmets that work well.

    On some tours in non-glaciated terrain, an ice-axe, boot crampons and climbing harness may not always be required. However, as conditions and itineraries can change, we generally recommend bringing these items with you. If you do not own these items they can be rented to you by our guides or via one of the local sports shops.
  • When choosing clothing for ski touring you want to think light, warm and versatile. During the trip weather conditions will change and you’re likely to go from warm afternoons where you’ll be carrying most of your gear in your rucksack, to icy-cold mornings when you’re wearing everything to keep warm! Getting hold of the best and lightest kit available is always worth it and most of the major brands will be able to supply a suitable kit.

    This season, we’ve partnered with Ortovox to provide us with the very best safety kit and clothing. Our guides will all be decked out in the latest Ortovox jackets and trousers and will keep warm, dry and comfortable thanks to their technical wool base- and mid-layers. Our guides couldn’t recommend their kit more highly.

     

    • Roll neck rather than a scarf. We use and recommend the ‘Buff¹ ¬ a light, stretchable tube. Excellent despite the name! They do both a fleece/cotton version for warmth or just a cotton one (to keep the sun off).
    • Headwear to include warm hat and sun-cap or wide-brim hat for extra protection from the sun. Mountain Tracks fully supports the wearing of helmets for skiing, although not mandatory for any of our trips we do recommend them.
    • An outer shell jacket made of waterproof and breathable material like Gore-Tex or similar with a built-in hood. The lighter the better and so a shell is recommended rather than an insulated jacket.
    • 1-2 thin fleeces - rather than a thick layer between your skin and the outer shell - an approach which gives better heat retention and good flexibility. These tops are known as ‘mid layers’. The principle of ‘layering’ e.g. allowing you to easily add/remove layers depending on the temperature and the activity is recommended to ensure comfort on the mountain.
    • Insulation layer like a down or Primaloft jacket is a good item to have ready to wear in the event of cold weather, it can live in your rucksack as a spare layer and can come in very handy for sudden changes in the weather.
    • For the lower half it’s essential that you have a pair of thermal base layer pants (long johns).
    • These can then be combined with either:
    • (a) a good pair of ‘technical shell’ pants in a waterproof and breathable fabric like Gore-Tex (b) a pair of mountain or alpine pants in a softshell material together with a pair of lightweight, breathable over trousers with long side zips.
    • Top and bottom underwear made of a synthetic, wicking material. Very popular at the moment are the wool based layers from companies such as Ortovox. They are comfy, breathable and warm when needed and can be worn for days without your friends catching a whiff!
    • Good quality Gore-Tex gloves or mitts and a thin pair of softshell or fleece gloves for when it is hot and for ski touring in. Silk inner gloves can be useful if the weather is cold and you suffer from cold hands.
    • Technical Socks - Investing in good quality ski socks will improve fit, warmth and feel when skiing for long periods. Bring along a few pairs.
  • The “Safety Trilogy” - required on all our ski tours and off-piste courses.

    • Avalanche Transceiver/Beacon
    • Snow shovel
    • Avalanche probe

    We recommend Simple and intuitive ORTOVOX AVALANCHE RESCUE KIT 3+ 

     

    Remember it is not enough just to carry this equipment; you have to know how to use it. 

    How about joining one of our specialist avalanche courses – check out www.mountaintracks.co.uk/activity/avalanche-training

    • Good pair of ski goggles with a lens for low light is essential in the event of snow and poor visibility
    • Good quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection
    • 35 – 40 liter rucksack
    • 1 – 1.5 Liter water bottle – we don’t recommend hydration systems (e.g. camelbak) in winter as they can freeze.
    • Food – bring some of your favorite hill nibbles (chocolate, energy bars)*
    • Suncream and lip salve
    • Camera with a large capacity memory card!
    • Money – most hotels, shops and restaurants accept credit cards, but not all the alpine huts do. You should allow about 30-40 Swiss Francs or 20-30 Euros per day for lunch and drinks (amount approximate and depends on consumption)
    Please note that your guide will have a few “spares” and other safety items that he or she will ask the group to carry between them; so leave a small space in your sack for an item e.g. spare skin, spare ski pole, emergency shelter.

    For a hut night:
    • Lightweight sleeping bag liner – now compulsory in most huts.
    • Wash kit with small personal first aid items – should include:
    • Toothbrush and paste - a mini one is ideal
    • Soap
    • Anti-bacterial hand cleaner
    • Wet wipes – essential to try to maintain hygiene
    • Tissues and toilet roll
    • Plasters – of various sizes and possibly some adhesive wound dressings.
    • Pain Killers – aspirin or Paracetamol/Nurofen
    • Antiseptic cream or wipes
    • Blister kit – compeed and elastic tape to hold it in place (essential)!
    • (Note: Guides will have comprehensive first aid kits and are qualified in mountain first aid)
    • Small light quick dry towel e.g. a Lifeventure Soft fiber towel
    • Most huts have limited washing facilities
    • Earplugs – it can get quite noisy!
    • Headtorch - lightweight and carry spare batteries.
    • Book, pack of cards and or Ipod/MP3 player – It’s nice to have something to read or listen to when you are in the huts or to challenge your fellow travelers to a game of card. These items are not essential but if you have space you might appreciate them.
    What to wear in the hut
    We are often asked by people what they should wear in the hut. It's a good question as you don't want to carry many or any extra clothes with you if they are not required. In the winter you will probably end up wearing your base layer thermals (top & bottom) or you can carry a lightweight pair of loose trousers to wear around the hut in the afternoons/evenings. Your base layer top is what you will probably wear on your top half or you can carry a t-shirt to wear in the hut that can double to sleep in. 

    Food and Water
    We suggest you bring with you or buy in resort snack food that you can take out on the hill with you each day. Things like cereal bars, dried fruit and nuts, chocolate, sugary sweets or your favorite hill snacks. When you’re staying overnight in huts its best to take supplies for the days you are away. Huts do sell food but it’s expensive and sometimes stocks run low.
    If you have any food allergies or dietary requirements especially if you are a Coeliac (Gluten free) or have a dairy allergy we strongly recommend you bring some food with you that you can supplement your dinners with. The huts are fairly good at providing for vegetarians but less so for other dietary needs.
    You have to buy bottled water in the huts as usually any running water is non-potable. Bottled water is expensive in French and Swiss huts; you can be paying upto 12-16CHF per 1.5L bottle of water. So please ensure you budget for this cost.

  • Most resorts have ski shops that hire ski equipment and we try to provide relevant contact details for all our courses and tours.

    Prices do change by resort/country, but here’s an approximate guide to hire costs for 6-days hire:

    Touring Skis plus skins and ski crampons €150-180
    Touring boots €80-90 
    Boot Crampons €45-50
    Ice Axe €30-40
    Harness €20-30
    Helmet €20-30
    Transceiver/shovel/probe €75-80

    Our guides also generally have additional sets of safety equipment (transceiver/shovel/probe) which they hire out to clients for €65 for 6 days hire. Must be booked in advance.
Slovenia.JPG

Slovenia

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Slovenia is a country in Central Europe, boarded by Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast and Croatia to the south.

Its population is around 2 million (2013) and its capital city is Ljubljana.  Its had a turbulent history and in June 1991 Slovenia split from Yugoslavia and became an independent country.  In 2004 it entered NATO and the European Union.  

The country is mountainous with its highest peak called Triglav at 2,864m.  Over half the country is forested and it has many underground rivers, gorges and caves due to its limestone "karst" topography.  

The Julian Alps

(Slovene: Julijske Alpe, Italian: Alpi Giulie) are a mountain range of the Southern Limestone Alps that stretches from north-eastern Italy to Slovenia, where they rise to 2,864 metres at the Triglav mountain. They are named after Julius Caesar, who founded the municipium of Cividale del Friuli at the foot of the mountains. A large part of the Julian Alps is included in the Triglav National Park.

Kranjska Gora

 is a tourist village and a municipality on the Sava Dolinka river in the Upper Carniola region of northwest Slovenia, close to the Austrian and Italian borders.

Kranjska Gora is best known as a winter sports town, situated in the Julian Alps. It annually hosts an event in the Alpine skiing World Cup series, also known as the Vitranc Cup for the slalom and giant slalom events. The well-known ski jumping hill Planica is located in the nearby Tamar Valley.

  • Vaccination requirement

    It is a condition of booking that you are fully vaccinated (unless exempt) and you comply with the entry rules to a destination country.

  • Insurance

    It is a condition of booking that you are insured for your chosen activity and the cover must include medical expenses, personal accident, personal liability, third party risks and rescue (including helicopter rescue). You are strongly advised also to take out cover against cancellation and curtailment.

    For UK residents Ski Club Travel Insurance may be a suitable option.

    For more details and to purchase a policy online visit http://www.skiclubinsurance.co.uk/
    If you need assistance arranging your personal insurance please let us know.
     

  • Airport transfers Ljubljana

    The course fee includes a group transfer to/from Ljubljana airport.  

    We meet at 2.30 pm at Ljubljana airport on the arrival day so you should arrive on a flight no later than 1.30 pm. 


    On the departure day, we ask you to book a flight that leaves Ljubljana airport no earlier than 12.30 pm so there is time to travel to the airport. We will aim to be at the Ljubljana airport at 10am.

     

     

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