An Alpine Fairytale Within Reach
Just an hour’s drive from Ljubljana lie two skiing gems of the Julian Alps that deserve your attention—Vogel and Soriška Planina. These two neighboring ski centers offer an authentic alpine experience far from overcrowded popular resorts, with unique views of the fairytale Lake Bohinj and the peaks of Triglav. Whether you’re a beginner looking for gentle slopes or an experienced skier seeking a challenge, Vogel and Soriška Planina provide the perfect combination of quality skiing, affordable prices, and irresistible Slovenian charm.
Vogel: Skiing with Slovenia’s Most Beautiful View
A Spectacular Location
The Vogel ski resort is situated at an altitude ranging from 569 to 1,800 meters, above the crystal-clear Lake Bohinj in the heart of Triglav National Park. The cable car ride to the summit itself is a memorable experience. As you ascend, a spectacular view opens up beneath you—an emerald lake surrounded by snow-covered peaks of the Julian Alps. Many, ourselves included, claim that Vogel has the most beautiful view of all Slovenian ski resorts, and it’s hard to disagree with that assertion.
Slopes for Everyone
Vogel offers over 18 kilometers of groomed slopes at the summit, plus the 7.5 km long valley run—Žagarjev greben—which is rarely open due to lack of snow. The slopes satisfy all categories of skiers. Speed enthusiasts will be thrilled with runs that offer a true alpine challenge, while families with children can enjoy wide, gentle blue slopes ideal for learning. Natural snow awakens forgotten memories of times when we didn’t ski on artificial ice as is common in many places today.
Vogel is part of Triglav National Park. Prices are extremely competitive compared to Austrian or Italian ski resorts—a day pass costs approximately 35-40 euros for adults, which is almost half the price of most neighboring countries. On the mountain, pleasant mountain restaurants await where you can try traditional Slovenian dishes like buckwheat žganci, Kranjska sausage, or local wine, all with a view that will dominate your Instagram feed.
Soriška Planina: A Hidden Gem for Family Skiing
An Intimate, Relaxed Environment
If you’re looking for a quiet, less commercial skiing experience, Soriška Planina is the perfect choice. This small ski resort, located at an altitude between 1,200 and 1,550 meters, is ideal for families with children and those who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere without crowds. You won’t find luxury hotels or glamorous après-ski bars here, but that’s precisely Soriška’s charm—authentic, accessible, and friendly, a ski resort where locals come to enjoy the simple pleasures of a winter day. Special mention must go to the excellent Lajnar restaurant located by the parking area.
Perfect for Families and Beginners
Soriška Planina offers around 15 kilometers of slopes, mostly blue and red level, making it ideal for learning to ski and snowboard. The ski school has an excellent reputation, and instructors are known for their patience and professional approach to students of all ages. Children can practice on safe, separate children’s slopes while parents explore more challenging terrain. We also spotted a fenced sledding area.
Prices at Soriška Planina are even more favorable than Vogel—a day pass for adults is 30 euros, and even less for children, making this destination extremely attractive for a family winter holiday on a limited budget. Although not connected to Vogel by lifts, transport between the ski resorts is organized by regular ski buses, allowing flexible exploration of different areas.
Why Choose Vogel and Soriška Planina?
Authentic Slovenian Experience
Unlike overcrowded international ski centers, Vogel and Soriška Planina maintain an authentic alpine character. Here you’ll meet more local families than tourists in designer ski gear, and the prices for food, drinks, and accommodation remain reasonable and affordable. Slovenians are known for their hospitality, and the staff at the ski resorts speak excellent English and often the basics of other languages.
Incredible Value for Money
When you consider the quality of slopes, modern infrastructure, spectacular views, and affordable prices, Vogel and Soriška Planina represent excellent value for money. For the price of one day of skiing in Austria or Italy, you can ski here for almost two days, and the quality of the experience is in no way diminished.
Proximity and Accessibility
The geographical location makes these ski resorts extremely accessible from Croatia, Italy, Austria, and other parts of Slovenia. After a day on the slopes, you can explore the charming village of Bohinj, relax by the lakeside, or visit nearby thermal spas for complete relaxation.
Bohinj: A Destination That Captivates at First Sight
Cultural Treasures Beyond the Slopes
In Bohinj, everything is tailored to the modern traveler who wants to get the maximum from this wonderful destination. Discover how special this destination is by visiting the Planšar Museum in Stara Fužina, housed in a former village dairy from 1883, where cheese was made until 1967. In this authentic space, you’ll see how cheese was once made, what a cheese press looks like, the tools used, and the original floor plan of a shepherd’s house located in the Bohinj mountains (a special attraction is the wooden shepherd’s dwelling from 1849).
Modern shepherds today live in modern houses in Bohinj settlements, creating dairy products in a family environment—especially the cult favorite, aged cheese. One such family dairy is located at the Pr’Prangarček estate in Brod near Bohinjska Bistrica. The dairy is known for its award-winning Bohinj cheese with the “Izbrana kakovost – kmečki (From Bohinj brand)” label, about which you’ll hear a special story during a tasting led by farmer Andreja.
Authentic Cheese Tasting Experience
During the tasting, you’ll sample different styles of cheese made from the milk of cows grazing on Bohinj pastures, as well as the unique Mohant cheese—a traditional, strong, semi-soft cheese from Bohinj, protected by a geographical origin designation, known for its intensely strong aroma and piquant, slightly bitter taste. When you’re at this tasting, it’s possible to visit the farm with Bohinj cows (Cika cattle breed), which puts the finishing touch on the destination experience and tasting.
Gastronomic Delights
In Bohinj, alongside cheese, you can enjoy enolončnice (stews), Kranjska sausages with buckwheat žganci, and experience the fusion of traditional and modern cuisine. Enjoy gastronomic experiences in mountain house restaurants, or by Lake Bohinj where, for example, Danica in Bohinjska Bistrica will welcome you, offering local ingredients from Bohinj and the surrounding area transformed into true gastronomic delights—an excellent choice for lunch or dinner after an excursion.
Three Mountains, One Perfect Winter Experience
When you’re in Bohinj in winter, definitely take advantage of the opportunity to experience the beauty of skiing at the destination’s highest peaks within a radius of about ten kilometers from the lake. Vogel, one of the more popular ski resorts in Slovenia and the only one located in Triglav National Park, offers several interesting experiences. At the base, from Ukanc, you take the cable car to the very top. It runs continuously, carrying around 80 passengers to the mountain peak at an altitude of 1,800 meters where 22 km of ski slopes of varying difficulties await you. There’s also a popular sun terrace and guides who will encourage you to try snowshoeing or nature hiking if you’re not skiing.
A smaller ski resort than Vogel is Soriška Planina, whose summit you’ll reach by car. You’ll park below the ski resort and then, depending on what type of skier you are, start exploring. This ski resort has 8 km of gentle slopes, snow for almost 70 days during winter, and a very affordable ski pass. If you want to sleep on the mountain, Soriška Planina has the Lajnar Guesthouse with restaurant, offering rooms adapted for families and excellent food to refresh you after skiing.
For adrenaline lovers, there’s Pokljuka (30 minutes by car) with 28 kilometers of biathlon tracks where you can test your own skills even if you’re a beginner.
Bohinj Guest Card: Your Key to Winter Savings
This trio makes Bohinj Slovenia’s winter ski center, and what’s particularly special is the Bohinj Guest Card—a tourist card that offers discounts of up to 20% on ski passes for Vogel, Soriška, and Pokljuka, plus free public transport, museum entries, and cable car rides. With it, you can access Savica Waterfall for free (the trail is seven kilometers long, starting at Hotel Zlatorog), the Mostnica Gorge, and when it warms up, a free ride on the panoramic boat across Lake Bohinj.
Your Next Winter Adventure Awaits
Pack your ski equipment, bring your camera for unforgettable photos of snow-covered Lake Bohinj, and head to this part of Slovenia that will win you over with its authenticity and friendliness. Vogel and Soriška Planina aren’t just destinations—they’re experiences you’ll want to repeat every winter. Even for those of us who ski at the most modern centers, this experience felt like a warm return to youth and pure enjoyment of winter and the environment.
Whether you’re carving down pristine slopes with the stunning backdrop of the Julian Alps, savoring award-winning local cheese at a family dairy, or simply soaking in the breathtaking views from a mountain-top cable car, Bohinj offers a winter experience that combines adventure, culture, and authentic Slovenian hospitality. This is skiing the way it was meant to be—natural, accessible, and utterly unforgettable.
