Winter Activities

The Julian’s Log

Seventh Post

“WINTER HOLIDAYS”

This weeks blog was going to be focussing on Spring in the Alps, and after a couple of weeks of sunshine with the bulbs all emerging, we had thought Spring was here….but how wrong we were! Here in the mountains we have been treated to another dump of snow, and with family here on holiday, we’ve been able to make the most of a final winter walk….

FOCUS On……….SPRING SNOW

What do you do when you’re on holiday and the whole of Slovenia is shrouded in cloud and everywhere has either rain or snow?? We decided to make the most of the snow and trek once more up the Tamar Valley with the toboggan. The car parking which had been overflowing last weekend at Planica was inaccessible as 50cm fresh snow had fallen. All of a sudden, the toboggan was looking less and less likely as we all wished we had snow- shoes. The walking was a real work out as we walked the 5km through virgin snow, which in places was knee deep. It was a great opportunity to make Snow Angels and Body Prints.
As we walked up the valley, the almost constant rumbling of small avalanches could be heard. We stood and watched them, the snow pouring off the mountains down gullies around us, looking like waterfalls. The noise was awesome and echoed all round the valley.
After a phone call to a friend in the Mountain Rescue Team, to check if we were stupid even being there, we learned the avalanche rating was high, at 4, but in this valley we should be fine, so we carried on like intrepid adventurers!! The snow was getting deeper and the sight of the Dom at Tamar was really welcome, but not as welcome as the bowl of Jota (bean soup) and the hospitality we received, Happy Birthday, John!!










This walk really was an added bonus to what has been a fantastic winter and we feel really lucky to be living in such an amazing country.


REGULAR FEATURE:
Current Snow Conditions:

Resort Upper Slopes Lower slopes Last snow and current conditions

Kranjska Gora 40cm 15cm 30/03/09 very good snow

Vogel 320cm 120cm 30/03/09 wet, packed snow

Krvavec 280cm 75cm 30/03/09 very goods snow


The skiing conditions remain very good across Slovenia, with resorts extending their season through to Easter this year due to the excellent snow.


Hope you’ve enjoyed this edition. Next Blog focus really will be on
Spring in the Julian Alps