Excellent attendance at mountain huts

Excellent attendance at mountain huts already before the peak of the mountaineering season.

The first half of the 2017 summer mountaineering season in mountain huts is among the best in the last ten years, hut keepers note higher attendance and increased turnover, to which hot and clear weather and high summer attendance of foreigners also contribute, according to the assessment of the Economic Commission of the Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS). The alpine association and clubs strive for quality mass attendance through training hut keepers and awarding certificates for environmentally and family-friendly mountain huts, as well as through extensive promotion.



Slovenia has 181 mountain huts, shelters, and bivouacs, of which 164 are serviced mountain huts, most visited precisely in the summer months. "The first half of the mountaineering season, up to the end of July, is among the best in mountain huts in the last ten years. So far, according to the assessment of alpine clubs, it is not at the level of the record year 2011, but it is comparable to other successful seasons in the last ten years. Compared to the average of the last five years, mountain huts record approximately ten percent higher attendance and a similar increase in overnights. The increase in financial turnover is at least as much or even greater, meaning that people in huts have started spending a bit more again, which is partly related to the increasing share of foreigners, who are usually bigger spenders than domestic guests. In the past decade, the share of foreigners staying overnight in mountain huts accounted for one-third of overnight guests, in the last three years it approaches 40 percent," presents the current assessment of the success of mountain hut operations based on questionnaire results by Dušan Prašnikar, professional associate of PZS for the Economic Commission.



The success of the first half of the season was most contributed by mountain-friendly weather, both due to many sunny days and high temperatures that motivate hikers and tourists to head higher to cooler areas. Weather also significantly affects the general tourist season, which so far in Slovenia is among the record-breaking ones, especially mountain tourist centers boast record attendance, consequently mountain huts in the central part of the Julian Alps record a very good season. In addition to external factors, both PZS and alpine clubs strive for better attendance. "In the last three years, we jointly promote mountain huts at tourist fairs in Slovenia and abroad, as well as with promotional materials and various web promotion methods. The Alpine Association also strives to improve the quality of services in mountain huts. This is not understood as improving comfort in huts, although regular renovations within financial possibilities also improve that, but primarily as improving the feeling in mountain huts. We want to create an atmosphere of homeliness, clean and pleasant environment, with tasty and home-cooked food and above all friendly staff words who can also advise visitors on the suitability of paths and goals in the vicinity of the huts. In recent years, two certificates awarded by PZS have significantly contributed to improving the situation in mountain huts, namely environmentally and family-friendly mountain hut," Prašnikar presents the efforts for quality mass attendance.



Hot summer not only delights but with drought in some places causes gray hairs to hut keepers. "We warn high-mountain hut visitors that water shortages may occur in some huts and ask for their patience. Due to a very mild winter with little snow and smaller amounts of precipitation, there is less water at springs or in reservoirs, consequently reduced flow in huts, in extreme cases no water available for washing. At the same time, we call on visitors to arrange reservations for sleeping in mountain huts in time, as many huts in the high mountains are fully booked at the peak of the summer season. Those who reserve accommodation in a mountain hut should notify the hut staff as soon as possible about cancellation in case of possible changes," Prašnikar also warns.



They can boast an excellent start to the mountaineering season at Gomiščkovo zavetišče na Krnu (2182 m, PD Nova Gorica). "We have been hut keepers at Gomiščkovo zavetišče for the third season, and year after year we are delighted by increasing attendance. During the week mostly foreigners come, on weekends Slovenians. If two years ago it was 70 percent Slovenians and 30 percent foreigners, last year it was fifty-fifty, this year so far foreign visitors lead, many Germans, English, Americans, Czechs, they are much better equipped than before, the last two years also a huge number of Belgian scouts come. We expect more Slovenians in August, as it still holds that they go to the sea in July, to the mountains in August," says Nives Brauner, the better half of the Styrian keeper couple alongside Dejan Sel, who are writing a success story in the Julian Alps. The young keepers notice more and more younger visitors, some of those who share their moments on social networks live due to image, but many also those who - some alone, others still with parents - seek genuine contact with nature. The Maribor natives certainly know how to approach different generations of visitors, whom they also address through beautiful photos, videos, and messages on the Facebook page Gomiščkovo zavetišče na Krnu, which they created mainly so that former frequent visitors who can no longer come could relive moments from Krn, the Primorsky father. "We enjoy our work. We are friendly, as a keeper must be - after all, such people come to the mountains, so we are just a mirror and return what hikers bring us. Far and wide everyone praises our home-baked bread, otherwise we are a shelter, so modesty is customary, but everyone leaves with a big smile and full stomach, if not picky," Brauner adds.



Similarly, paths of more and more hikers lead to Cojzova koča na Kokrskem sedlu (1793 m, PD Kamnik), where due to renovation they opened the hut only on June 17 this year, but Tomaž Bolcar, keeper for the sixth season, assesses that "in a good month and a half it is the best attendance so far, even better than last year, which was record. We are surprised, as the peak of the season is usually in August, but July turned out well. Overnights are approximately the same as last year, but this year more day guests, fewer groups, more and more individual guests. Among foreigners Croats predominate, quite a few Serbs, many Dutch, Austrians, some visitors from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, England ..." The popular hut in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps celebrates 120 years this year, so they treated it to a thorough renovation; it has new sanitary facilities, kitchen and other rooms renovation awaits in autumn, electrical wiring renovated, protected against lightning strikes, and internet connection arranged. The environmentally friendly mountain hut obtains electricity from photovoltaics and wind energy, to reduce consumption they installed LED lighting. Due to renovation, higher consumption, and drought, they have big problems with water this year, and although they have new water tanks, rainwater ran out and they had to bring water from the valley by cable car at the beginning of the week. The keeper strives for promotion with good offer, friendly attitude to guests, correct information for hikers, as well as through web channels and social networks, especially on the Facebook page Tomaž Bolcar (Cojzova Koča) one can find current information and enticing photos. In the hut also delicacies, from the house specialty kokrski lonec, a kind of vegetable-meat ragout, and kamniški goveji lonec to buckwheat soup and classic spoon dishes, among desserts apple strudel reigns, occasionally fruit dumplings and cottage cheese struklji. Bolcar attended the keepers' seminar organized by the PZS Economic Commission for the second time this year. "Every training brings breadth - you look at the offer and hospitality from another angle or it confirms that we are on the right track," emphasizes the keeper, who has already incorporated freshly acquired knowledge into the offer: "They taught us how to tell a story - and we are developing a story about flowers. On Kokrsko sedlo there are extremely rare and important mountain flowers native. The hut is named after the Zois brothers, Žiga and Karl, who was a botanist. Zois bellflower is one of the most important autochthonous plants, which hikers can see live here in summer, otherwise on photos or projections, in spring the largest stand of kranjska lilija is not far from the hut. We continue the Zois legacy and encourage mountain visitors to respectful attitude towards mountain flowers. We want to connect with like-minded people at other huts with similar floral richness and make a common thematic alpine trail."



In Carinthia, the compass of many hikers and mountain bikers points towards Dom na Peci (1665 m, PD Mežica). "Last season I was a keeper at Dom Valentina Staniča under Triglav, now we are first year under Peca. Here mostly Slovenians come, because Peca is suitable for a day trip, so overnights are few, but many day visitors. Most come on weekends, in these hot days locals come here to air out. During holidays, Dom na Peci is also a popular destination for grandmas and grandpas with grandchildren, for whom we take good care, as we are family and environmentally friendly hut," explains Branko Kremser with eight years of keeper experience: "We bet on food quality, hut cleanliness, and friendly attitude to guests." The kitchen is run by Hilda Ladinek, on the menu delicacies for both meat-eaters and vegetarians, from bograč, goulash, and mushroom soup to pancakes, imperial roast, and kločevi nudlji, traditional Carinthian dessert. The kitchen was completely renovated last year, a brand new addition are new mattresses in rooms on the first floor, rooms are also freshly painted. Dom na Peci is also a checkpoint of the Slovenian Mountain Bike Trail, many - both Slovenian and Austrian - mountain bikers visit it during descent from Peca on the track above Pliberk. Many visitors are called by K 24, an 80-kilometer trail with ascents to the five highest Carinthian peaks - Uršlja gora, Smrekovec, Raduha, Olševa, and Peca, which the most enduring complete in less than 24 hours. Otherwise, from the hut to Kordeževa glava (2125 m), the highest peak of Peca, it is one and a half to two hours walk, King Matjaž's cave is just a stone's throw away.



"Attendance at Koča na Kopitniku this year is similar to previous seasons. To us usually come passing hikers who drink or eat something here, then return home or continue towards koča v Gorah, Kal, Mrzlica, Šmohor, possibly also Lisco or Kum. Visitors come from all over Slovenia, most locals who visit us regularly. This year hikers from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina have already overnighted here, many visitors from Rimske terme come, both Slovenians and foreigners," assesses PD Rimske Toplice president Jure Potokar. Koča na Kopitniku (865 m, PD Rimske Toplice) is serviced by hikers themselves, who rotate duties, so it is open only on weekends and holidays. "Since we are a family-friendly mountain hut, many families with children come to Kopitnik, who have fun on playgrounds. We organize various events, just last Saturday we had the 27th traditional Popoldne ob citrah na Kopitniku, lively for May 1st, also Zlatorogova transverzala ponosa was our guest. We are interesting for closed groups, to whom we adapt time-wise, also from Sožitje association for assistance to persons with developmental disorders," adds Potokar. Diligent hikers have renovated the entire hut in recent years, from roof, electrical and water installation to sewage and hut surroundings, Municipality Hrastnik provided them with an automatic defibrillator, they plan sanitary facilities for disabled. Also in Posavje hills they bet on cuisine, traditionally in the morning eggs sunny side up sell well, hikers can also count on some stew and apple strudel at Kopitnik.



At the peak of the summer mountaineering season, which lasts from mid-July to mid-September, the Alpine Association of Slovenia emphasizes that everyone should choose a tour for which they are appropriately physically and mentally prepared and have suitable equipment that they know how to use. Before heading to the mountains, visitors should check the weather forecast, condition of alpine paths, and opening of mountain huts, reservation of accommodation and use of own bedding is also recommended.