Kranjska Gora

Kranjska Gora sits at the top of the upper Sava valley where Slovenia, Austria and Italy meet, and it has been the country's best-known ski resort since the Vitranc Cup began in 1961; a men's World Cup race since 1968, it has been held on the Podkoren course since 1983. In summer the same valley becomes a walking and cycling base: the Vršič pass climbs from the edge of town towards the Soča, and a rail-trail cycle route runs down the valley into Italy.

History

Slovenes from Carantania are thought to have settled here in the 11th century, the place was a fief of the Counts of Ortenburg in the 12th, and a trade route to Tarvisio ran through it by the 14th century. Ski lifts were built on Vitranc in 1949, 1962, 1964 and 1965, and the Vitranc Cup has been held here since 1961 (Wikipedia, Kranjska Gora; Wikipedia, Vitranc Cup).

What's there

• The Podkoren slope - the World Cup course used for the Vitranc Cup since 1983.
• Jasna lake - a made lake at the mouth of the Pisnica valley below the peaks.
• The Vrsic road - the pass climbing from the edge of town in fifty hairpins.
• The rail-trail - the cycle route on the old railway down towards Italy.

When to go

December to March for skiing, with snow reliability better in January and February. June to September for walking and the pass. April and November are quiet with much closed.

What to expect

The ski area is small by alpine standards and low, so snow is not guaranteed. The town is built around tourism and has little old character. Summer and winter peaks are expensive and booked out.

Nearby

Zelenci is west, and Vrsic Pass is south.

Key facts