TOP 6 Slovenian winter sports events 2021

Slovenians are known as the nation that loves winter activities. So it comes at no surprise that they also enjoy their winter sporting events. Among the favorites are for sure ski jumping and alpine skiing, where you will see tens of thousands of fans screaming, cheering on the amazing athletes and proudly swinging the Slovene flag around. 

The peak of winter sport events (and cheering) in Slovenia usually hits between February and March, when the country hosts several world competitions. In this article we have gathered the top Slovenian winter sporting events, which we think you should visit if you are in town at the time of the event. We also added some tips on where the good restaurants are located, so you won’t be feeling hungry after all that cheering!

Biathlon World Cup at Pokljuka

Pokljuka is known as one of the best Slovenian plateaus, as it holds world-famous biathlon competitions. 

The Biathlon events kick off in December with the international BMW IBU World Cup followed by sprint competitions, Slovenia Cup and other national championships. The event brings together the best biathlon athletes from around the world. 

Since Pokljuka is relatively close to Bled, make sure you drop by it. Explore one of the amazing marvels of Slovenia – lake Bled. On a beautiful day, we suggest you take a stroll around the lake or better yet, take the boat to the island. If you are feeling hungry after all that sightseeing around Lake Bled, we would recommend you visit Restaurant 1906 – a meal here is guaranteed to be a fine dining experience of the highest order. The kitchen team creates some simply wonderful dishes, all of which are modern interpretations of traditional Slovene recipes, methods and ingredients, and views of Bled Lake and its famed church from the bay windows is truly stunning.

What an amazing competition to start of the Top Slovenian winter sporting events!

Cross Country skiing at Planica

During the end of December, FIS Cross-Country World Cup is held in Planica, which hosts the best men and women country-cross skiers. Before participating in Tour de Ski, the athletes are competing in sprint races during this weekend. 

The FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Planica is considered to have an extremely difficult track which truly puts on the challenge for the athletes who participate in the competition.

The Golden Fox at Maribor Pohorje

The Golden Fox – FIS Ski World Cup for Women will take place on the weekend between 15th and 16th of February at Maribor Pohorje, which is located in the Panonian part of the country. This winter competition includes only the best female slalom skiers and giant slalom skiers in the world. The large crowds that this competition draws contribute to the race’s worldwide appeal.

However, this wasn’t always a woman only competition. At the beginning both men and women participated in the competition. Years later that was changed and the women took over the Golden Fox event. 

Be among the thousands of cheering fans in Maribor and experience the unforgettable atmosphere that accompanies the Golden Fox competition.

While you are already in the area, make sure you take some time from all the cheering on the Maribor Pohorje and explore the capital of Štajerska! And when the stomach starts to growl, book a table at one of the best Slovenian restaurants, run by the award-winning chef, David Vračko – restaurant Mak, or if you want to taste more traditional Slovenian flavours visit restaurant Rožmarin. 

FIS Ski Jumping Ladies World Cup in Ljubno

Much has changed in Ljubno in the past seventy years, except for the unwavering desire of the people of Ljubno to keep the Rajhovka ski jump one of the most popular locations of women’s ski jumping in the world. Cheer for the flying ladies in Ljubno! 

With the 2011 introduction of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Women, which foresaw Ljubno as the location of one of its races, the longtime wish of many residents who dedicated their time to the Upper Savinja Valley ski jump came to fruition. Ljubno became the smallest place in the world to host a World Cup race. The event is held during the third weekend of February. 

After the event drive to Luče, where one of the best Slovenian Alpine restaurant is located at. Hiša Raduha welcomes you with a tasteful embrace. Their head chef Breznik places special emphasis on imaginative and innovative approaches when crafting dishes, while also balancing a deep admiration for tradition. 

If you dont fancy a short drive to Luče, head over to the hotel and resturant Planinka with the head chef Robič. Surrounded by nature, more precisely in the town of Ljubno ob Savinji, the runner-up of the Slovenia GREEN destination competition, hides a boutique hotel and restaurant Planinka, whose story is more than a hundred years old. The inspiration for the restaurant and the menu is drawn from the environment in which they create and work. All of the ingredients used in their masterpieces are sourced from the local environment, which not only supports the local producers and respects their tradition, it also guarantees the sustainable development of the region. In this way, they can also provide for the wishes of the most particular guestsa and trust us, they wont let your taste buds down!

Vitranc Cup in Kranjska Gora 

Shortly after the spectacle of the Golden Fox, the traditional Vitranc Cup is next on the calendar. The Vitranc Cup is considered to be one of the toughest and most challenging ski tracks of the International Ski Federation. The ski track features extremely steep slopes and turns, which gets “tackled” by the best male skiers from around the world. The Vitranc Cup dates back as far as 1961 when the competition was considered the first great international event in skiing for men in the former Yugoslavia. That is also when the event was named – the Vitranc Cup.

The event is held in Kranjska Gora, which comes to no surprise as the place is famous for its skiing and other winter sporting events, furthermore it is also considered to be one of the countries top mountain resorts – attracting visitors from all around the world. Every year at the beginning of March more than 12.000 spectators come and cheer for their favorite skiers. The Vitranc Cup is usually accompanied with a number of events. Hint: There may or may not be a huge party involved on Saturday!

The World Cup Finals in ski jumping at Planica 2021

Shortly after the spectacle of the Golden Fox, the traditional Vitranc Cup is next on the calendar. The Vitranc Cup is considered to be one of the toughest and most challenging ski tracks of the International Ski Federation. The ski track features extremely steep slopes and turns, which gets “tackled” by the best male skiers from around the world. The Vitranc Cup dates back as far as 1961 when the competition was considered the first great international event in skiing for men in the former Yugoslavia. That is also when the event was named – the Vitranc Cup.

The event is held in Kranjska Gora, which comes to no surprise as the place is famous for its skiing and other winter sporting events, furthermore it is also considered to be one of the countries top mountain resorts – attracting visitors from all around the world. Every year at the beginning of March more than 12.000 spectators come and cheer for their favorite skiers. The Vitranc Cup is usually accompanied with a number of events. Hint: There may or may not be a huge party involved on Saturday!