Ski slopes

Rogla is the main ski resort of the Pohorje range, a forested upland in the north-east of Slovenia, and it stands on a broad plateau at about 1,500 metres above sea level. This is a gentle, rounded landscape rather than a sharp alpine one, and the slopes are mostly open and moderate, with long runs through the spruce forest. For many Slovenes, Rogla is a familiar winter destination, close enough to Maribor, Celje and Ljubljana for a day trip, and it is popular with families and with people learning to ski, though advanced skiers will also find some more demanding runs.

The resort has a network of pistes of different levels, served by several chairlifts and surface lifts, and the skiing season usually runs from December to March, depending on the snowfall. Snowmaking covers much of the area, which gives the resort a reliable base in years when natural snow is scarce, and there is night skiing on some slopes, so that people can ski after work. Beginners have gentle runs and a ski school, children have special areas and families appreciate that the base area is compact, with rental shops and places to eat. A fun park for freestyle skiers and snowboarders provides jumps and rails for those who want to practise tricks.

Cross-country skiing is also important at Rogla. A network of groomed tracks runs through the forest and across the plateau, offering quiet and scenic routes, and the area has hosted training for Nordic skiers because of the reliable snow and altitude. Snowshoe walks and winter walking trails provide further ways of enjoying the snow. After the day on the slopes, there are mountain restaurants and huts with hearty food, and the resort has hotels, apartments and a sports hall. The spa town of Zreče, at the foot of the mountain, offers thermal pools and wellness for tired legs.

In the rest of the year, Rogla changes into a hiking and cycling centre, and the same lifts and paths are used for summer activities. Other sights on the plateau, such as the Pohorje Hills, the Peat bog and Lakes, the Rogla Zoo and Zlodej's Adrenaline Toboggan, are covered in their own entries, while the Meglič Organic Farm and the Cheesemaking Lamperček - Obrul provide local produce. The Extensive forests offer winter walks. Check snow conditions, lift times and prices before travelling, as they change with the season, and book ski school and rentals ahead during school holidays.