Three quarters of mountain huts open even in winter

As many as three quarters of the serviced mountain huts in Slovenia are open even during the winter months, mostly on weekends and holidays. One third are open permanently, mainly lower-lying and more accessible ones, some even in the high mountains, where visitors can find shelter in winter rooms and bivouacs. We talked to several hut keepers about visits, current conditions and hut openings during the holidays, and before the expected increased mountaineering activity in the coming days, it is worth reminding once again about appropriate equipment and tips for safer winter visits to the mountains.



Of the 163 serviced huts (out of a total of 178 mountain huts, shelters and bivouacs), 123 are open in the winter months, mostly on weekends and holidays, while 56 are permanently open, of which 26 every day in winter, and 30 every day except Mondays or Tuesdays. "Operating times vary, associations adjust them independently according to servicing capabilities, weather conditions, amount of snow or dangers on the paths, so hikers should check hut openings with the mountaineering associations managing individual huts, especially in case of possible snowfall," recommends Janko Rabič, head of the Economic Commission of the Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS). Current data on the opening of mountain huts are also regularly published on the PZS website.



Mountain huts in the high mountains are mostly closed in winter, but ten Category I mountain huts remain open all year round, including the permanently open Dom na Komni, open on weekends from Friday and holidays are Orožnova koča na Planini za Liscem and Koča na Kriški gori, while on weekends and holidays doors open at Krekova koča na Ratitovcu, Frischaufov dom na Okrešlju, Kamniška koča na Kamniškem sedlu, Koča na Klemenči jami pod Ojstrico, Planinski dom na Kališču, Roblekov dom na Begunjščici and Koča Draga Karolina na Velikem Snežniku.



"In October and November, the attendance was good, in December there were fewer hikers during the week, but on nice weekends it was above average. The hut is open every day including holidays, but all places for organized New Year's Eve celebrations are already booked," says Herman Uranič, winter keeper of Dom na Komni (1520 m, PD Ljubljana-Matica), and recommends appropriate equipment for the visit: "There is almost no snow anymore, but in shady areas it is mostly icy, so it is advisable to have crampons with you to avoid slipping on short icy sections. It is passable towards nearby peaks and mostly dry towards the Triglav Lakes and over Komarča." The Triglav range with its paths and peaks is inviting even in winter. Triglavski dom na Kredarici is officially closed in winter months, but rest is possible in unheated rooms. Planinski dom Tamar is permanently open and serviced. Erjavčeva koča na Vršiču will be open every day from December 25 to January 6, then on weekends during the rest of winter, Koča na Gozdu and Mihov dom na Vršiču are open on weekends, Koča v Krnici on weekends with clear weather.



Koča Draga Karolina na Velikem Snežniku (1796 m, PD Snežnik Ilirska Bistrica), the highest Slovenian out-of-Alps peak, was closed in November, but on December weekends, despite good weather, attendance was lower than expected, probably because there is no snow, emphasizes keeper Slavko Škoberne and adds: "I expect more visitors during Christmas holidays and New Year. The hut will be open from December 25 to 27 in the afternoon, closed during the week and reopened for New Year's Eve early afternoon until Sunday, January 3. We will decide further based on conditions. Currently the path is dry, so no special technical equipment is needed, but more caution is advised on descent due to some sections of hardened snow. Small crampons are useful in places, in case of snowfall regular crampons and ice axe will be needed."



Mostly open are huts in the mid-mountains and lower-lying huts that are more accessible or easier to service. One of the main winter stations for hikers in the Karavanke is Planinski dom na Zelenici (1536 m, PD Tržič), which boasts excellent operation. "The modernly equipped hut has friendly keepers and among other things offers free rental of mountaineering equipment. Last year we had 30 percent more traffic than the previous year, this year it will certainly be a fifth more than last year, which shows our work and effort," is satisfied Stanko Koblar, owner and head of the mountaineering training center at Zelenica. Autumn attendance was good, November above average due to mountain-friendly weather, weekends at Zelenica feature winter mountaineering courses, section and club meetings, children's camps, also New Year's Eve. "The hut is permanently open from Friday noon to Sunday evening, during holidays from December 25 morning to January 3 evening, open during school holidays, for groups by arrangement also during the week," says Koblar and describes conditions: "Currently everywhere in the shade is icy and we are waiting for snow. In mid-mountains or higher, small crampons are mandatory in the backpack at least, for more demanding terrain large ones. Higher towards Vrtača and Zelenjak it is dry, for ascent to Begunjščica from the north side crampons are needed because the path is icy in places, the south side is dry."



Velika planina is also a popular and scenic winter mountaineering destination. "Visitors currently need only standard mountaineering equipment, otherwise more excursionists than hikers visit us. We are satisfied with weekend attendance, during the week only individual visitors come, although it is usually sunny and windless. We are open every day all year, also during holidays, so welcome," invites Lojze Ovijač, keeper of Domžalski dom na Mali planini (1534 m, PD Domžale), a family and environment-friendly mountain hut. Permanently open and also equipped with both certificates – environment and family friendly hut – is Mozirska koča na Golteh (1356 m, PD Mozirje). "Autumn attendance was better than last year, early snow attracted families to first winter joys, while hikers come more solo. Our hut is open all year, also during holidays, and those who want to bask in sunshine rays should go to the mountains," emphasizes keeper Filip Vrabič and adds: "Currently paths are mostly dry but icy in places, so small crampons are recommended. But I must praise the voluntary work of path markers who after last year's glaze fixed all paths to be safe for hikers again."



In winter, overnight stays are also possible in winter rooms that some mountain huts have, including Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih, Zavetišče pod Špičkom, Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih, Planinski dom pri Krnskih jezerih, Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih and Kocbekov dom na Korošici. In Vrata, a winter room is permanently open near Aljažev dom. Slovenia also has 15 bivouacs intended mainly for emergency shelter and overnight stays, especially for alpinists after strenuous climbing tours.



Winter mountain visits are characterized by lower temperatures, shorter days, not everywhere open mountain huts and specific snow conditions. "In mid-mountains and high mountains it is dry with prevailing autumn conditions. We must not overlook that snow lies in many places covering paths, or the path is icy. Especially dangerous are lower areas where ice is covered with leaves. In addition to equipment we must always have in the backpack, crampons and ice axe are mandatory, as only with their help we can safely cross icy areas. We must be aware that with relatively high temperatures for this time, conditions in mountains can change quickly. Therefore, inappropriate equipment, lack of knowledge of equipment use and not warm enough clothing are not excuses because there is currently little snow in mountains or some paths are almost dry," warns mountain rescuer and PZS expert collaborator Matjaž Šerkezi and advises: "In the backpack there should be mandatory mountaineering equipment, in addition to headlamp, first aid, spare clothes, food and hot drink also crampons and ice axe, even if you carry them to mountains in vain. If going to high mountains, do not forget avalanche triplet, mandatory have mobile phone with full battery and data transfer off. Keep it under clothes and not in backpack. Go on the trail in company, mandatory leave notice in the valley about where the trail will take you.