Slovenia's most important tourism destination, Bled is a year-round resort town with a long history and a picturesque scenic location.

Over the years it has been owned by the Celts, Romans, Austrians, Germans and latterly Yugoslavia - first as a summer residence of the Yugoslav royal family and latterly as a communist era leisure spot. It has been known as a spa resort for centuries before the advent of winter sports in the region. Since the peaceful end of Yugolslav rule here nearly 20 years ago the town has established its own cultural identity and continued to capitalise on its stunning natural assets.

The resort sits on the shores of beautiful Lake Bled and is surrounded by the spectacular Julian Alps. The castle which was once the seat of local power sits above it and an island of religious significance for more than a thousand years is located in the lake in front.

Resort elevation: 503m (1,650ft).

Top elevation: 1,971 (6,466ft).

Base elevation: 506m (1,660ft).

Number of lifts: 29 (Kobla, Krvavec, Strazna and Vogel combined).

Number of runs: 38 (Kobla, Krvavec, Strazna and Vogel combined).

Average annual snowfall: 3.6m (12ft).

The spa town of Bled sits on the shores of Lake Bled. It is located in the Julian Alps of Western Slovenia, 35km (22 miles) from the country's capital and main airport of Ljubljana.

Bled has just a small local ski hill of its own at Straza, accessed by a double chairlift from the resort itself. Apart from the chairlift the hill has a single drag lift. It's very low lying, so snow cover can be problematic and it is only open in the daytime at weekends, although floodlighting means it is open in the evenings on weekdays.

Because of these limited possibilities right next to Bled, even beginners are likely to want to buy the Julian Alps Pass which covers seven ski areas in the region - although three of these (Kranjska Gora, Stari Vrh and Soriska Planina) are not on the ski bus route and only really accessible if you have your own transport, being about an hour's drive away.

The pass does cover Straza's skiing at weekends but unfortunately not the evening night skiing in the week, however most pass buyers will want to use it to access the three larger ski centres of Krvavec, Kobla and Vogel, each about a 30 minute ride away on the ski bus, the cost of which is included in the lift ticket price. These three medium sized ski areas each have about half a dozen lifts, each claim about 35km (22 miles) of runs, a healthy vertical and a good mix of terrain.

Kobla, with 35km (22 miles) of piste and three double chairlifts and three drags, has a moderate ski area, with runs cut through the forest above picturesque Lake Bohinj of up to 6km (4 miles) long. It's the closest area to Bled, 30 minutes away on the bus. Its neighbour Vogel, another 30 minutes away, has one of the biggest verticals in the area (1,231m/4,039ft) and some of the highest slopes, rising above the treeline, with a cable car lifting skiers from the lakeside. It has some of the best nursery slopes for beginners located on a snowy plateau at the top of the cable car - a good choice when snow cover is thin at lower elevations.

The fourth area served by the ski bus and on the pass is Krvavec, which is located in the opposite direction back on the road to capital Ljubljana, about 45 minutes on the ski bus. It has invested the most in new infrastructure in recent years, adding a six-seater chair and has the highest lift-served slopes in the region.

Bled markets itself as a multi-activity winter destination with downhill snow sports being only a minor part of the offering. Instead there is an onus on low-key winter pastimes like snowshoe excursions, horse drawn carriage rides or a romantic walk on a cleared path through the snow around the lake (which can also be ice skated upon if the ice freezes thick enough). The town itself has many attractions with plenty of cafes, shops and the spas, and day trips to the capital Ljubljana are also possible.

Bled offers a mixed bag for families as on the one hand there's a good range of affordable activities and facilities in Bled itself, and many of the hotels have their own swimming pools, but on the other there are limited ‘special' facilities for children and no nursery provision for younger tots.

Children can join ski school from age five and if the hassle of the ski bus trip each day doesn't put you off, first timers will find tuition, rental and lift ticket packages at a third to a half the cost of an equivalent deal in the Alps.

Although it is not promoted as a shopping destination, there are about 50 stores to choose from in Bled. The year-round nature of the town means there's a wide choice and prices are typically considerably lower than in Western Europe. Local produce includes metal worked items such as cow bells, specially prepared meats and famous local cakes. Shopping trips to the capital Ljubljana are also a possibility.

With beer a third of the price of the equivalent in the Alps, and several dozen bars to choose from, Bled is an affordable place to chill out when the ski bus brings you back to town each evening. Evening activities include a cinema, bowling, thermal swimming pools and spa facilities in the Park, Golf and Grand hotels. And if you're ever stuck for a place to go, the resort's Casino, Svobode 15, is open 24 hours a day.

Bled has a centuries old reputation for its high quality cuisine and there are several dozen restaurants to choose from that offer both traditional Slovenian cuisine and some exotic imports. For example, if you'd like something spicy then Chilli's restaurant, Cesta svobode 9, is the place for you, and Slovenia's near neighbour Italy is prominent with several pizzerias, including the popular Rikli, Cesta svobode 15. For traditional Slovenian cuisine, Okarina, Ljubljanska cesta 8 has a particularly good reputation.

The ski bus runs twice daily from various pick up points close to hotels in Bled to Kobla and Vogel and once a day to Krvavec. A similar return service operates in the afternoon. The ski bus is free of charge to Julian Pass ski ticket holders, or 10 Euros return for non pass holders.

The lakeside Vila Bled, Cesta svobode 26, is a former presidential palace of Yugoslavian President Tito. Today the Vila capitalises on its reputation for timeless elegance and presidential standards of service by offering gourmet cuisine and is the place to go for a truly special meal. Bled's acclaimed restaurant serves up delicacies in French, Mediterranean and Slovenian cuisines, all are expertly prepared by master chef Igor Jagodic and his highly-experienced team.

Luxury

Grand Hotel Toplice
Bled's leading hotel has excellent facilities and is rated 5-star and its lakeside location is just a minute's walk from the resort centre and the ski bus stop.

Cesta svobode 12
Tel: (04) 579 1000.
Website: www.hotel-toplice.si

Moderate

Hotel Jelovica
Well positioned 3-star in a beautiful location just below the castle, indoor pool and live music twice weekly.

Cesta svobode 8
Tel: (04) 579 6000.
Website: www.hotel-jelovica.si

Budget

Mlino Guest House
A traditional guest house by the Lake, beautiful architecture and great service.

Cesta svobode 45
Tel: (04) 575 3710.
Website: www.mlino.si

Nearest airport: Ljubljana (YLW).

Distance to resort: 199km (125 miles).

Driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes.

Intermediates, Beginners, Families, Non-skiers, Snowboarders, Experts, Snow reliability, Après ski