Over the past few years igloo villages are becoming increasingly popular all around the world. The idea of spending a night in a room made of snow and ice has caught on in numerous world’s ski resorts. This year it is possible to do just that at three locations in Slovenia. You can visit an igloo village in Krvavec, Pokljuka and Kranjska gora.
The Kranjska Gora winter resort is almost legendary. The slopes lie very near the triple border between Slovenia, Austria and Italy and are surrounded by the high peaks of the Julian Alps. The slopes are suitable for all levels of skiing skills. For many Slovenes, Kranjska Gora is the place where they first come in contact with skis and learn their first curves. The best skiers in the world compete annually on this run for the Vitranc Trophy in World Cup men’s giant slalom and slalom races.
The Krvavec winter resort is only a thirty minute drive away from the capital. The trails lie on pastureland, so there is no need for large amounts of snow in order to enjoy good skiing. In optimal winter conditions, the skiing season can last up to 150 days. Exciting trails await beginners, recreational skiers, and competitors alike, and Krvavec offers a rich entertainment and recreation program for everyone. And when the sun is especially generous, Krvavec is as beautiful place for winter sunbathing.
The Pokljuka is a well-known Alpine plateau rich in snow. The winter season usually begins in November and lasts until early May. As the biathlon and cross-country skiing centre of Slovenia, the Pokljuka provides a roughly 30-kilometre network of perfectly prepared cross-country skiing trails and numerous routes for snow-shoe walking, snow tours and family skiing and sledging slopes suitable for beginners and small children alike. Every year during the winter months, biathlon competitions take place at the Pokljuka plateau, including the BIATHLON WORLD CUP. In fact, BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup will take place here from 18 till 21 December!
The ice hotels and igloos are built from scratch at the beginning of winter each year, when temperatures drop below zero. They are built as a network of individual igloos linked by tunnels under the snow with the more modern idea of inflating a giant room size balloon, covering it in snow, waiting for that to freeze, then deflating and removing the balloon. The ice hotels usually comprise several individual bedrooms and various public rooms, including the ice restaurant, the ice bar and a Finnish sauna.
But what’s it like to sleep in an igloo hotel? The temperature in the igloos is always 0-4 °C. The beds are made of blocks of snow and are covered with an insulating material. The second cover are sheep’s skins which are known to be very warm material. On top of all you will find a special expeditionary sleeping bag (-30 °C), which will for sure keep you warm all night through. Individual igloo rooms can accommodate up to 4 persons each, there are also two special romantic igloos for couples. Usually guests stay for one night, but you can of course stay longer. Just be aware, that there are no showers available. On the other hand, using the snow to wash up, as the Eskimos do, can be very refreshing.
Spending a night in an igloo is an amazing experience you will never forget. When cold sneaks even through several layers of sweaters, there are many great ways to warm up: you can go skiing or sledding, play a game of snow golf, go for a walk in the mountains, create your own ice sculpture, relax in a Finnish sauna or enjoy a glass of delicious mulled wine. You can have a romantic candlelight dinner in the Igloo restaurant or dance the night away in the Igloo bar, where you will find a lively atmosphere with music and parties. It is out of the ordinary place to organize a birthday party, anniversary or even a corporate event. And idyllic locations to spend your time after a hard day of fun activities on the snow, enjoying an après ski drink.
Igloo villages welcome visitors from the second half of December till March.
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