Vogel | Ski Resort Review

The first thing you need to be aware of if you're thinking of taking a ski trip to Slovenia is that skiing Slovenia is not like skiing in most Alpine areas. Even the biggest resort is not large by Alpine standards. That, of course, is an intrinsic part of its appeal. Slovenia is perfect for families and beginners, and for skiers looking for a less daunting, cosier ski experience, without the pressure to rack up high mileage. though with manageable distances between each resort which are all on the same country-wide ski pass, the Ski Pass Slovenia, there's no reason not to explore further afield.

Vogel is typical of the country's hugely popular ski centres, with spectacular panoramic views of the natural snow-covered landscape and a small but interesting mix of blue and red runs. Located in the Triglav National Park above Lake Bohinj, it has 22km of pistes, spread over 15 runs - plus the largest snow park in Slovenia - served by eight lifts, and as well as great downhill and off-piste skiing, it offers plenty of other winter sports activities such as snow-rafting, airboarding (basically body-boarding on snow!), cross-country, paragliding and ski touring.

Vogel - Ski Map & Pistes:

The Vogel ski area is accessed by a spectacular cable car ride which climbs up to a plateau where there is a nursery area for beginners to practice their first turns on and lifts and trails radiating out for more advanced skiers. The view from here encompasses the Bohinj Valley, the surrounding Julian Alps, Triglav and the southern Bohinj mountains, the Karavanke mountain range and the Kamnik Alps. That's a lot of scenery!

There are not many runs for advanced skiers but there is one gem at Vogel when conditions are right - the 6.8-kilometre-long Žagarjev Graben slope, which will lead you all the way from the upper station of the Šija chairlift down to the lower lakeside gondola station, a red run descent of 1,200 metres in one go, while enjoying the idyllic winter landscape.

This year, the old two-seater Zadnji Vogel ski lift, which takes skiers back up the mountain from about halfway down the run (for when you don't want to go all the way to the bottom - or can't if there's not enough snow in the valley), was replaced by a new, modern, panoramic circular ski lift.

Vogel - Off-Piste, Backcountry & Ski Touring:

There are opportunities in good snow conditions for freeride off-piste adventures and some ski touring. a six-day hut-to-hut ski safari is one exciting option. If you need even more adrenalin, you can go paragliding in tandem.

Vogel - Restaurants, Bars & The Town:

Away from the ski centre itself, Bohinj resort comprises a handful of villages, strung along the Lake Bohinj shoreline. Ribčev Laz is the nearest to the cable car up – a 10-minute ride on the free ski bus. Or for somewhere with a few more hotels and restaurants, go for Bohinjska Bistrica or Bohinjska Jezero, which are a little further down the road.

Wherever you stay, evenings are a low-key affair. Given the spread out nature of villages around Lake Bohinj there is not much of an après ski scene; just a few friendly bars in each of the villages. The Ski Hotel Vogel is a good stopping off point during the day and once the lifts close. There's a terrace bar there with spectacular views all around. End your ski day with a drink in the Macesen bar at the bottom of the Vogel cable car, then head back to your hotel for a sauna or swim, followed by an evening meal.

Most of the dining options are hotel-based. But on the mountain, the Ski Hotel Vogel offers traditional Slovene food, and the panoramic Restaurant Viharnik offers traditional Slovene scenery!

Vogel - Ski Hire:

Don't have your own ski equipment? On Vogel, you can rent top-quality equipment that will allow you to ski with confidence. Ski Finžgar is the go-to place here.

Vogel - Ski School:

Vogel Ski School gives you the opportunity to improve your skiing or snowboarding skills or learn from scratch.