Ski Resort Holds Prices to Compete with Foreign Skiing

The winter season in the ski resort Snowparadise Veľká Rača started a little later than usual this year. In December, the conditions were not quite ideal, so the first skiing event was postponed until New Year’s Eve.

“From the first day, however, we have noticed a huge interest in skiing, even though only one slope is open so far. However, we are currently working intensively on the launch of other tracks,” says the center’s marketing manager Patrik Sučik.

On Veľká Rača, they should open the Hladká slope, as well as Marguška 2 and Hrebeň already on Friday, January 9.

They strengthened the snowmaking in the most critical places

An important part of slope preparation is technical snowmaking, without which the winter season would be difficult to do today. In the current conditions, natural snow does not last as long as technical snow, which is more resistant to higher temperatures or rain.

This season, they even strengthened the snowmaking in the most critical places in the ski resort.

“When it warms up, natural snow goes down at a rocket pace. It is absolutely ideal when there is a combination of snow on the track, i.e. natural and technical snow,” explained Sučik, adding that they are currently trying to make snow so that the layer is as large as possible and lasts the whole season. For example, in Dedovka, there is a layer of snow of around 60 cm.

However, even with snowfall, the conditions must be suitable. “Frost, wind and humidity can significantly affect technical snowmaking. If, for example, the temperature is minus two degrees and the humidity is fifty percent, the snowmaking temperature is minus four to five degrees,” explains Patrik Sučik.

The prices of ski passes did not increase for the third year

In terms of attendance, the majority of the clientele are domestic skiers from Slovakia. Gradually, however, visitors from Poland and the Czech Republic are also returning to the resort.

While last season the attendance was at the level of 130 thousand visitors, this season they estimate that up to 150 thousand could come to the resort in Oščadnica.

“However, at the same time, we perceive competition abroad. In the last few years, they have built many resorts in Poland. It is difficult to convince people to come to us instead. However, we have not increased the price of ski passes in our ski resort for the third year in a row,” continued Sučik, adding that they are still trying to keep skiers in Slovakia.

In the high season from January 8 to March 8, the price of a daily four-hour ski pass is 31 euros, and you pay 37 euros for a full-day pass. If you buy the ski pass directly in the resort, you will pay an extra three euros.

Children under 12 pay 17 euros for a four-hour admission and 20 euros for a whole day. Juniors under the age of 18 have a four-hour admission for 22 euros and an all-day admission for 26 euros.

Evening skiing is a bit cheaper. It is 17 euros for all age categories, or 19 euros on the spot.

If the weather permits, the season could last until around the end of March, according to past years’ experience.

The center has ambitious plans for the future. “The priority remains the further strengthening of technical snowmaking, as winters are becoming more and more unpredictable,” Sučik added.

At the same time, projects are being prepared to modernize the cableway and infrastructure, which should increase the comfort of visitors in the coming seasons.

Skiing in swimsuits and traditional cabbage cooking on the slopes

In addition to skiing itself, the center has also prepared several accompanying events for visitors.

Already during the next weekend, the Snow Show will take place on Veľká Rača – the largest ski and snowboard test in Slovakia, where several well-known brands will be presented.

On the last day of January, visitors can also look forward to the 14th cabbage cooking championship, which is traditionally held right on the slope.

There will also be popular events such as Hawaiian skiing in swimsuits, carnival skiing combined with bass burying, or themed ski testing sessions.