Split Use of Vouchers, Online Reservation...

Split use of vouchers, online reservation of mountain huts and basic knowledge of reading maps.



This year's summer mountaineering season will be different from previous years due to measures after the coronavirus epidemic, but at the Slovenian Alpine Association, we see this as a unique challenge. At the press conference we organized on Mala planina, we explained how the SAA, through active involvement in the preparation of the decree, helped make it possible to use tourist vouchers in a split manner also in mountain huts. Certain hygiene measures and measures regarding sleeping in shared beds still apply in them. But to ensure the path to them and back is safe, the SAA emphasizes the importance of safe mountain visiting, where the coordination of the hiker's fitness, chosen path, and backpack is important.







After the end of the coronavirus epidemic and the calming of the epidemiological situation in Slovenia, most activities are slowly returning to normal tracks, with certain restrictions and recommendations that also apply to mountaineering activities. We participate in mountaineering activities only if completely healthy. If we feel unwell, sneeze, cough, then we stay home and thus prevent the spread of infection. We pay attention to cough hygiene and thoroughly wash our hands before and after performing activities. It is necessary to maintain a safety distance of 1.5 meters, especially indoors. Since the appearance of the coronavirus, mandatory equipment for a mountaineer also includes a protective mask and a small bottle of disinfectant, which we always have in our backpack. We use our own equipment. We disinfect shared equipment before use. We recommend private transportation. In the case of activities nearby, also consider the possibility of traveling to the starting point by bicycle. When using public transport or bus transport, follow the instructions prescribed by the NIJZ for this area. At the same time, of course, we must not forget the basic preparation for the tour, to prepare well in advance and plan it.







Mountain huts are attractive to visitors. The Slovenian government has offered the use of tourist vouchers to mitigate the consequences of the epidemic, which can also be used to pay in most mountain huts. The voucher, which will be redeemable for accommodation or accommodation with breakfast, will be divisible and can be redeemed in multiple amounts. "At the Slovenian Alpine Association, we are glad that vouchers can be used in a split manner also in mountain huts, and therefore we wish that as many Slovenians as possible decide to spend their holidays in the embrace of the mountains this year. We are pleased that the decision-makers recognized our arguments during the preparation of the decree and found solutions. At this point, I would especially like to thank the Slovenian government, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, the Directorate for Tourism, and MP Mateja Udovč," said the General Secretary of the SAA Matej Planko.







Vouchers in mountain huts







The procedure for using vouchers is simple. The beneficiary must notify the service provider upon check-in on the day of arrival that they will redeem the voucher for the service provided. The guest must have a personal document and a signed form (Confirmation of Voucher Redemption) with them. The provider will then enter their data into the Financial Administration's information system, and the Financial Administration will accordingly reduce the beneficiary's credit and pay the amount of the service provided to the service provider. "At the SAA, we recommend that beneficiaries have a photocopy of their personal document and an already completed form with them. In special cases, if someone who is not the legal representative redeems the voucher for minors, they must have a signed special statement with them. All statements can be found on the Furs website," explained SAA Vice President Miro Eržen.







Internet connections in the huts are reliable, as the huts have invested in technical solutions in recent years due to the introduction of fiscal cash registers and the eTurizem application. "We do not expect major problems with using vouchers in mountain huts. The decree also states that if complications arise, for example, an interruption of the internet connection to the Furs information system, the guest will pay for the accommodation themselves. The service provider will send a confirmation to Furs, which is the basis for reimbursing the advanced funds to the beneficiary."







Online reservation







The number of overnight stays in mountain huts is increasing. Over the years, the percentage of overnight stays by foreign mountain visitors is increasing, already representing more than half of all overnight stays. Abroad, the method of online booking for overnight stays is already used by over 400 huts, and this year the SAA will also introduce the online booking method of the alpine countries' mountaineering organization CAA. "The reservation system is adapted to the specifics of mountain huts and will significantly facilitate the booking of overnight stays for both visitors to mountain huts and caretakers. Visitors will be able to see the occupancy of huts included in the reservation system online at any time, making it easier to plan their mountain hikes and avoid the risk of not getting accommodation. However, the introduction of the reservation system will also bring more responsibility to visitors. In case of late cancellation, guests will face financial consequences, which is otherwise a common practice when booking overnight stays with providers in the valley," added SAA's Miro Eržen.







In this season, we expect about 15 mountain huts with the highest share of overnight stays to join the reservation system. (Inclusion has already been confirmed by: Aljažev dom v Vratih, Dom Planika, Dom Valentina Staniča, Koča na Doliču, Koča na Planini pri Jezeru, Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih, Poštarski dom na Vršiču, Prešernova koča na Stolu, Vodnikov dom na Velem polju, Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih). At the same time, we can already invite you to the mountain huts; by the beginning of July, most of them will be open. Some high-mountain huts will open their doors this coming weekend, such as Triglavski dom na Kredarici, Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih, Vodnikov dom na Velem polju. "At the site of the former Kocbekov dom na Korošici, 16 emergency beds in containers and basic supply of drinks and food will be available during the summer season. At the location of Frischaufov dom na Okrešlju, only basic supply with drinks will be available. All consents have been obtained for the construction of the new hut on Okrešlju, and PD Celje Matica has submitted an application for a building permit in recent days. All the latest data on the operation of huts and contact information are published on https://www.pzs.si/koce.php," added Dušan Prašnikar.







After the end of the epidemic, special measures apply in mountain huts, and the National Institute of Public Health has issued special recommendations regarding hygiene and sleeping. "The sleeping regime in the huts will be adjusted according to NIJZ recommendations. Thus, two people or more can sleep in one room if they are from the same household or if several people are traveling together, i.e., a group of friends on a joint hike or a group on a club outing. Due to special measures, there will consequently be fewer available overnight capacities in mountain huts, so we recommend good trip planning and timely reservations for sleeping, especially in the case of planned use of tourist vouchers," explained SAA professional associate Dušan Prašnikar.







Basic reading of a mountain map







To avoid getting lost on the way to mountain huts or mountain destinations, in addition to careful reading of markings, basic knowledge of reading maps is necessary. For how will you behave when you find yourself in fog, snow cover, wind, and the familiar landscape becomes a complete unknown? "If we get lost, we first stop. We study the area around us and the path traveled in detail. Then we try to determine our position. If we fail, we return to the place where we last knew where we were and re-study our planned path. The most important pieces of mandatory mountaineering equipment are a simple compass and a new mountain map. GPS devices and applications on mobile phones can serve only as additional support or information in searching for a standing point and the right path. The most basic orientation skill is orienting the mountain map (north in nature aligns with north on the map) with the help of a compass or based on known prominent points in the environment. Recognizing shapes in nature and on the mountain map is a skill that each of us should know also for everyday life," explained the basics by SAA professional associate Matjaž Šerkezi.







Slovenian mountains are visited by 1.7 million visitors annually. Ahead of us is the main mountaineering season, and with it the wish for as few injuries as possible and for mountain rescuers to have as many quiet weekends as possible. To have as little bad luck in the mountains as possible, the SAA emphasizes the importance of good preparation for the tour. This year is special also because the activity of trail markers was curtailed due to the epidemic, and it may happen that we encounter a mountain path that is damaged in places. From all this, preparation for the mountain excursion is key and very important. "We must be especially careful in preparing for the tour when choosing the tour and planning the timetable if children or older mountaineers are with us. Conditions in the mountains are as always wonderful. Of course, a short snowfield can surprise us on individual mountain paths, mainly on shady and northern slopes. Temperatures in the valley should not deceive us, and we should always have warm clothes in our backpack, including a hat and gloves. With the summer months, thunderstorms and lightning also awaken. We cannot protect ourselves from a lightning strike. It is important to set off to the mountains early enough and to be safe in the valley or mountain hut in the afternoon when summer thunderstorms are most frequent."







The SAA has also this year, in cooperation with Zavarovalnica Triglav, prepared the nationwide action Let's Clean Our Mountains, which for the 11th consecutive season encourages mountain and hill lovers to safe and responsible hiking in the hills. This time, the nationwide action is focused on greater fire safety of mountain huts. The insurance company has donated 152 fire extinguishing ampoules to 52 mountain huts. "Mountain homes are often older and built from flammable materials, and in some huts, caretakers are not present all year round. This increases the risk that any initial sparks in the huts flare up into larger fires. At the same time, these are objects usually placed in hard-to-reach locations, which means that the costs of their remediation are usually very high. Therefore, in the 11th season of the action Let's Clean Our Mountains, with a call for fire ampoules, we provided mountain huts with additional protection in case of initial fires. On the other hand, we are raising awareness among mountaineering clubs about the importance of appropriate fire insurance with an adequate insurance sum. Only in this way can we provide huts with appropriate assistance in case a fire occurs," said Peter Filip Jakopič, director of the property and property interests insurance service at Zavarovalnica Triglav.







As part of cooperation with the Slovenian Alpine Association, Zavarovalnica Triglav is organizing the Best Mountain Trail contest for the third consecutive year, highlighting the work of trail markers. Voting runs until June 25.







The SAA has been cooperating with Pivovarna Laško Union in the project Let's Go to the Hills for 11 years. The project is becoming very recognizable over the years, but this year the coronavirus has played a trick, and all events within the project have been canceled. But so that huts and clubs still get some funds, they came up with a new cooperation proposal at the brewery. "A considerable part of mountain huts was closed from March to mid-May. In June, hut visits are gradually increasing. Mountain huts are currently facing a significant revenue shortfall, mainly due to fewer overnight stays. Together with the Slovenian Alpine Association, we have developed a 0.5l plastic cup for multiple use, which we will donate to 44 mountain huts. For each of them, we at Pivovarna Laško Union have prepared 2,400 commemorative cups, which we will donate and deliver to the mountain hut location free of charge. The huts will be able to offer the commemorative cups to their visitors with the note 'donation for us'. All cups are equipped with the name of the individual hut, and the proceeds from sales will be intended for their operation. A total of 105,600 cups will thus enable the collection of a donation in the amount of 105,600 euros," explained Urban Kramberger, Laško brand manager, Pivovarna Laško Union. The cups are made of ecological plastic, extremely durable, and thus represent a contribution to greater care for a more sustainable environment.







We see the slightly different season at the SAA as an opportunity to attract some new mountaineers to the mountains. Therefore, we have joined the nationwide action of the Slovenian Tourist Board Now is the Time. My Slovenia, within which we invite the inhabitants of our country to a longer or shorter break in the Slovenian mountains. We have also prepared our own advertising materials to promote our organization. But for our descendants to enjoy unspoiled nature, beautiful views of mountain peaks, and mountain silence, we must be aware of responsible behavior towards mountain nature.







In addition to the support of our partners, we will also be glad for the support of individuals. For the renovation of mountain huts and mountain paths, you can still contribute by purchasing the Mountain Lottery Ticket, which costs one euro and is available at all Sports Lottery sales points and on the website www.e-stave.com. You also support path renovation by sending an SMS message with the keyword POT5 to the number 1919. You can support the renovation of natural climbing areas by sending an SMS message with the keyword PROJEKTOSP5 to the number 1919. We will also be glad for your contribution to the construction of the new mountain home on Okrešlju by sending an SMS message with the keyword OKRESELJ5 to the number 1919.







This year too, in cooperation with the website Siol.net, we have prepared the project Best Mountain Hut, with which we are looking for the best mountain and the best high-mountain mountain hut. In the sixth season of the action, you can choose among 156 mountain huts, of which 28 are in high mountains, the rest in mid-mountains or lower lying.







Let this summer be a challenge for you too. Maybe it's time for the first conquered two-thousander, for overnighting in a mountain hut or for tasting mountain cuisine. Good luck and safe on the way!