Nordic Centre Planica

Planica is a glacial valley at the foot of the Julian Alps, in the far northwest of Slovenia, just beyond the village of Rateče and a short drive from Kranjska Gora, and for ski jumping fans it is one of the most famous places in Slovenia’s sporting life and in ski jumping worldwide. The Nordic Centre Planica sits at the head of the valley with the Ponce ridge and higher Julian peaks closing it in on every side. It is the home of ski flying, the sport's longest-distance discipline, and has hosted international events here since the 1930s, including several FIS Ski Flying World Championships.

The history is part of the draw. The first big hill was designed by the engineer Stanko Bloudek in the mid-1930s, and in 1936 the Austrian jumper Sepp Bradl became the first person to pass 100 metres in the air, a milestone that put Planica on the sporting map. Later generations of hills followed. Today the complex includes several hills of different sizes, among them the large Rožman/Bloudek hill and the huge Gorišek Brothers' hill, named for the brothers who rebuilt the original flying hill. The newest generation of the flying hill is among the largest in the world, and its in-run is a remarkable sight even from the valley floor.

Every March the site fills up for the World Cup Finals, the season finale of the ski flying World Cup,, and tens of thousands of fans turn the valley into a festival. Planica also hosted the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2023. Visitors can do much more than watch elite athletes. The visitor experience goes far beyond watching elite athletes, though. Open on non-competition days, the site lets you walk around the base of the hills, climb to the judging stations, and try the simulators to feel something of what a jumper experiences. The interactive game Heroes of Planica tells the story of the valley's heroes, and the Planica Zipline runs down beside the hill for visitors who want a taste of the flight. The Planica wind tunnel adds another way to feel airborne, and the disc golf park uses the open meadows.

In winter the centre is also a cross-country skiing venue, with trails that run through the valley. In summer the same ground becomes a place for hiking, cycling and picnics, with the high peaks as a backdrop.

The centre suits families, sports fans and anyone curious about the history of winter sport. Check the events calendar before you travel, because competition weekends are crowded and access arrangements change, while quiet weekdays leave much more room to explore. Wear layers, since the valley can be cold and windy even when the sun is out.