The ski season kicked off last weekend after a drop in temperatures finally allowed some ski resorts to start their snow makers. The resorts are generally well prepared and are hoping for a successful season although the weather conditions so far have not been promising.
Skiers will soon be able to hit more glistening slopes as the ski runs on Rogla, Golte (NE) and Kanin (W) opened last weekend, with Krvavec's (NW) lifts already running. The rest of the resorts, located on lower altitudes, will still have to wait for better weather conditions.
The Kranjska Gora ski resort (NW) is among the more cautious. While it had some snowfall recently, the layer of snow was not enough for the runs to be opened. Temperatures were also not low enough to start the snow guns, a representative of the resort had said.
One of Slovenia's top skiing resorts hopes to start its snow makers on 18 December, with the season to open between 22 and 24 December.
The launch of the ski season is also being eagerly awaited in the region of Stajersko (NE), where some parts have seen up to 15 cm of snow and temperatures permitted the use of snow guns.
The biggest number of slopes in the region are located on the Pohorje hills. The ski resort, located in the direct vicinity of Slovenia's second largest city of Maribor boasts many new acquisitions, including two new four-seater ski lifts.
The ski resort of Cerkno (W) on the border of the Gorenjsko and Primorsko regions reported 10-20 cm of snow and predicted the ski season could start around 23 December.
Managers of the ski runs are hoping for a successful season - Cerkno had 3 million skiers last year and is hoping to repeat the success - while Mariborsko Pohorje hopes for a three to five percent increase in the number of visitors.
In addition to weather, the resorts are also worried about an hike in the price of electircity, scheduled for early 2007, and the inconveniences stemming from the adoption of the euro.
The ski passes at the major ski resorts will cost around EUR 25 this year, according to the website of the Association of Slovenian Chair-Lift Operators.
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