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Introduction
Kranjska Gora is the best equipped resort for Alpine skiing in Slovenia, the country that lays claim to being the birthplace of the sport. The pistes in Kranjska Gora are on the eastern slopes of Mt Vitranc (1,631m/5,436ft), but it's not just about downhill here. Cross-country trails follow the lower slopes westward to Planica, the birthplace of ski jumping and host to the prestigious Ski Jumping World Championships each March.
What's more, you'll find ample facilities for snowboarding, telemark, tobogganing, ice skating and ice climbing here. And while it may not look like much at first glance, with its modern buildings encircling a more attractive (and older) centre, Kranjska Gora offers the best choice of accommodation and après-ski activities of any ski resort in the country.
What's more, you'll find ample facilities for snowboarding, telemark, tobogganing, ice skating and ice climbing here. And while it may not look like much at first glance, with its modern buildings encircling a more attractive (and older) centre, Kranjska Gora offers the best choice of accommodation and après-ski activities of any ski resort in the country.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 803m (2,635ft).
Top elevation: 1,291m (4,236ft).
Base elevation: 810m (2,657ft).
Number of lifts: 19.
Number of runs: 21.
Average annual snowfall: 1.9m (6ft).
Where in the world?
Some 90km (56 miles) northwest of Ljubljana, Kranjska Gora sits in the Sava Dolinka Valley separating the Karavanke range of mountains from the Julian Alps. The borders with Italy and Austria are only 6km (4 miles) to the west and northwest respectively.
Hit the slopes
The season lasts from mid December to late March, with about 90 days' guaranteed snow cover.
The slopes at Kranjska Gora cater to skiers of all levels of ability, but only 2.5km (1.5 miles) of the runs are designated ‘difficult', and they're mostly racing pistes at Podkoren 3km (2 miles) to the west.
The 19 lifts include five chairlifts, four of which seat four people and one for two. More than half of the ski grounds (some 70 hectares/173 acres) are covered with compact artificial snow.
A number of outfits offer ski tuition and rental equipment, including ASK Kranjska Gora (Borovška cesta 99a) and Skipass Travel (Borovška cesta 95).
The slopes at Kranjska Gora cater to skiers of all levels of ability, but only 2.5km (1.5 miles) of the runs are designated ‘difficult', and they're mostly racing pistes at Podkoren 3km (2 miles) to the west.
The 19 lifts include five chairlifts, four of which seat four people and one for two. More than half of the ski grounds (some 70 hectares/173 acres) are covered with compact artificial snow.
A number of outfits offer ski tuition and rental equipment, including ASK Kranjska Gora (Borovška cesta 99a) and Skipass Travel (Borovška cesta 95).
Beyond the slopes
Just 39km (24 miles) to the southeast and an easy day trip from Kranjska Gora is Bled, Slovenia's most popular tourist destination. And with its emerald-green lake, picture-postcard church on an islet, medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff and snow-covered Alps as backdrop, it's easy to see why. Bled is accessible by direct bus or with a change at Jesenice station.
Family fun
Kranjska Gora maintains a supervised children's ‘kindergarten' on the snow. Kids love having a ride on one of the horse-drawn carriages, which can be hired from a stand behind SKB Banka on Borovška cesta. Antique carriages and sledges are kept in the massive barn behind Liznjek House (Borovška cesta 63), an endearing 18th-century farmstead (and now museum) with household objects and furnishings peculiar to this mountainous region.
Retail therapy
In addition to hiring out equipment, Sport Point (Borovška cesta 93a) next to the tourist office sells skis, poles, boots, snowboards and just about anything else you need to get onto the slopes or trails.
Aprčs ski
All of the big hotels have popular bars and clubs where skiers congregate after coming off the slopes. Kranjska Gora's most popular late-night and après-ski venue, however, is still Papa Joe Razor (Borovška cesta 86) based at the old Razor Hotel dating back to 1912. There's live music at the weekend.
Eating out
One of the best places to try local specialities such as telečja obara (veal stew) is Gostilna Pri Martinu (Borovška cesta 61), an atmospheric tavern-restaurant in an old house opposite the fire station. The restaurant at the Hotel Kotnik (see Accommodation below) serves grills and has an adjoining pizzeria. It displays lovely bits of painted dowry chests on the walls.
Getting around
Kranjska Gora is a very small town and everything (including the chairlifts up to Vitranc ski slopes) is within easy walking distance. Some of the runs originating in Kranjska Gora join up with those at Podkoren.
Splashing out
Restore yourself after a day on the slopes and/or trails at the Aqua Larix Wellness Centre (Borovška cesta 99), a large indoor water park at the Hotel Larix with pools, saunas and treatment centres.
Accommodation
Luxury
Hotel MikličThis spotless, 4-star property with 14 rooms south of the centre is surrounded by luxurious lawns and flowerbeds and boasts an excellent restaurant.
Vitranška ulica 13
Tel: (04) 588 1635.
Website: www.hotelmiklic.com
Moderate
Hotel KotnikThe Kotnik is a charming and very stylish 15-room inn in the very centre of Kranjska Gora and is the place to stay if you are not into big high-rise hotels with hundreds of rooms.
Borovška cesta 75
Tel: (04) 588 1564.
Website: www.hotel-kotnik.si
Budget
Pr' Tatko‘At the Cattle Breeder's' is a popular four-room hostel with 15 beds in an old farmhouse dating back to 1913 at Podkoren, 3km (2 miles) to the west of Kranjska.
Podkoren 72
Tel: (04) 588 1519.
Website: www.prtatko.com
Getting there
Nearest airport: Ljubljana Jože Pučnik (LJU).
Distance to resort: 66km (41 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour.
Distance to resort: 66km (41 miles).
Driving time: 1 hour.
Website
This resort is good for...
Beginners, Intermediates, Snow reliability, Snowboarders
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