Ski and winter sports in Slovakia
Encyclopedia
Ski and winter sports in Slovakia
are very prominent and popular given the mountainous topography of the region and the fact that much of the country is covered by snow for a greater part of the year.
At present, approximately 50 Slovak ski resorts make snow.
is the fastest developing winter sport in the world. Slovakia is no exception - the number of snowboarders has been increasing every year, partly due to the type of terrain available in ski resorts. Well equipped board parks at the larger resorts offer excellent jumps, ramps and rail-slides. This is especially true of Jasna which is the largest resort in Central Europe and very boarder friendly.
and Ďumbier
in the Low Tatras, Malá Studená dolina and Veľká Studená dolina and Skalnatá dolina in the High Tatras
, Roháče and Žiarska dolina in the Western Tatras
, and the well known Vrátna dolina
in the Malá Fatra Mts.
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
are very prominent and popular given the mountainous topography of the region and the fact that much of the country is covered by snow for a greater part of the year.
Downhill Skiing
In spite of its small area, which is mostly hilly, Slovakia is densely interwoven by a net of ski-tows and ski-lifts. More than 1000 ski-tows and 40 ski-lifts are in operation and their number is growing. From the top the terminal stations there are hundreds of down-hill pistes, from the very gentle – for beginners, to the most demanding, which comply with the international criteria for master competitions.At present, approximately 50 Slovak ski resorts make snow.
Snowboarding
SnowboardingSnowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
is the fastest developing winter sport in the world. Slovakia is no exception - the number of snowboarders has been increasing every year, partly due to the type of terrain available in ski resorts. Well equipped board parks at the larger resorts offer excellent jumps, ramps and rail-slides. This is especially true of Jasna which is the largest resort in Central Europe and very boarder friendly.
Ski-Alpinism
Ski-alpinism is a combination of cross-country skiing, mountaineering and alpine skiing. Its fans seek new opportunities for testing own stamina and strength in the extreme conditions of winter alpine nature. The Slovak mountains provide very good conditions for pursuing this sport, and ski-alpinism fans recommend Jasenská dolina in the Veľká Fatra Mts., the area of ChopokChopok
Chopok is the second highest peak of the Low Tatra range or third , in central Slovakia. The peak offers a panoramatic view of High Tatra, Liptov and the valley of Hron...
and Ďumbier
Dumbier
Ďumbier is the highest mountain in the Low Tatra range, in central Slovakia. Despite the remains of medieval mines , the massif is now protected as a part of the Low Tatras National Park....
in the Low Tatras, Malá Studená dolina and Veľká Studená dolina and Skalnatá dolina in the High Tatras
High Tatras
High Tatras or High Tatra are a mountain range on the borders between Slovakia and Poland. They are a part of the Tatra Mountains...
, Roháče and Žiarska dolina in the Western Tatras
Western Tatras
The Western Tatras are mountains in the Tatras, part of the Carpathian Mountains, located on the Polish-Slovak borders. The mountains border the High Tatras in the east, Podtatranská kotlina in the south, Choč Mountains in the west and Rów Podtatrzański in the north...
, and the well known Vrátna dolina
Vrátna dolina
thumb|right|Vrátna dolina as seen from the Poludňový Grúň mountainVrátna dolina or Vrátna Valley is a valley in the Malá Fatra mountain range in Slovakia. It is situated 3 kilometers from the village of Terchová in the Žilina Region. Vrátna dolina covers an area of approximately 36 km²...
in the Malá Fatra Mts.
Cross-country skiing
Bigger ski resorts offer well kept cross-country paths, but skiers' made paths can be found virtually by any village or tourist center.Slovakia is rather small so there is not much of "cross country"See also
- List of ski areas and resorts in Slovakia