The largest ski resort in Slovenia by area is Mariborsko Pohorje. The total length of the slopes here is 64 kilometers. It is here that the Maribor thermal center of the same name is located. Mariborsko Pohorje is located 6 km from the city of Maribor and 17 km from the Austrian border.

For the past 30 years, the Golden Fox stage of the Women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup has been regularly held here. The ski season in Mariborské Pohorje lasts from December to April.

It is the hosting of international competitions that has turned Pohorje into a popular ski center not only for family tourists, but also for professional skiers. It has the largest number of “black” – extreme in complexity slopes in all of Slovenia.

The resort has a very well-developed infrastructure, and the service and quality of tourist service here is at its best. On its territory there is a night skiing slope, which is illuminated by floodlights in the dark.

In addition to skiing from the mountain, Mariborské Pohorje can offer other types of active recreation. There is a cross-country skiing slope. Snow cannons work on all slopes. Therefore, the resort is ready to work even in adverse weather conditions. And the snow cover lasts almost 100 days a year.

Map of Maribor Pohorje

Weather

Officially, the season lasts from December 23 to March 24. The climate here is extremely mild, and Maribor, located just 10 minutes away, is generally a port city and beach resort! Where does the cold come from?

In fact, it’s all about the Alps. They are the ones that hold back the cold air in the winter, as a result of which you can see a full-fledged snowy winter with stable -5… -8 ° C on the slopes of Pohorje. However, the problem is that it is established only by mid-December. Until then, one can only dream of a permanent snow cover.

January and February are stable here, but by March the cold recedes, the temperature fluctuates around 0, and the situation is saved by artificial snowmaking systems for ski slopes. This task is successfully handled until the 20s of March, after which the ski season at the resort ends.

Slopes and lifts

Winter in Mariborské Pohorje

The resort’s slope complex itself is divided into the following three parts.

Snow Stadium is the lowest (up to 900 m) complex of mostly simple slopes, more suitable for beginners. Ideal for family skiing.

Bolfenk. Located at an average altitude (from 900 to 1150 m), it is popular with young people with a decent level of skiing. There are “red” slopes.

Areh. The highest part of the complex (from 1 km to 1.3 km above sea level). Despite not being the highest peak point, it has several “black” slopes, which is of interest mainly to professionals.

In addition, Mariborské Pohorje borders a number of small ski areas – and they are completely independent, with their own hotels, entertainment and opportunities. The most convenient way to travel to them is to buy a multi-ski pass.

Technical characteristics

Skiing area: 336-1347 meters

The total length of the slopes is 64 km, of which 30 km are blue, 20 km are red, and 14 km are black. The ski center has 20 lifts. The resort has the longest illuminated slope in Europe – 4.5 km.

Ski slopes, pcs:

total – 60

Blue – 20
Red – 35
Black – 5

The length of the cross-country ski slopes is 20 km.

There is also a toboggan run (800 m).

A kindergarten on the snow operates in Mariborské Pohorje. The ski school offers lessons in alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, carving and telemark skiing.

For cross-country skiers, there are 27 km of trails through the forest. For snowboarders, there is a half-pipe, a couple of separate slopes, and a special snowboard school. There is also a children’s school with foreign-language instructors.

It doesn’t matter what level of skill you have, both amateurs and professionals will find what they were looking for here. Choose what you like: a lot of easy routes and comfort – or extreme and the proximity of the slopes to the hotels, reducing the road to training to a minimum.

Hotels in Maribor Pohorje

The resort has a large number of hotels that differ in location, star rating and level of comfort. Located right on the slopes, the 5-star hotels in Maribor Pohorje are surrounded by beautiful forests, a few meters from the funicular and not far from the ski lifts.

The most numerous hotels in Maribor Pohorje are 4-star hotels, which offer tourists thermal pools, Finnish and Turkish baths, gyms and much more. The rooms are equipped with satellite TV, Internet access, air conditioning.

There are also cheaper hotels in Maribor Pohorje, with a slightly lower level of comfort and, accordingly, with 3 stars. They are located further from the slopes and ski lifts.

Guest House Sovič 3 star hotel

Guest house Sovič is located in Oplotnica. It features a restaurant, bar, garden, and free WiFi throughout the property. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a terrace. Private parking is available at a surcharge.

At the guest house, rooms come with a patio with a garden view. At the guest house, all rooms include a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.

Guests at the guest house can enjoy a continental or a vegetarian breakfast.

Guests at the guest house can enjoy hiking, skiing and cycling.

Rimsko-Toplice is 49 km from the guest house, while Maribor is 34 km away. The distance from Guest House Sovič to Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport is 105 km.

Mercure Maribor City Center 4-star hotel

The Mercure Maribor City Center is located in a quiet area in the centre of Maribor. It offers free Wi-Fi, a fine restaurant and a conference centre. The renovated hotel features an entertainment centre, a bar and a café.

The stylishly decorated rooms feature individually controlled air conditioning, a minibar, an LCD TV with international channels and free tea/coffee making facilities. Towels, a pillow menu, pure cotton bed linen and toiletries with organic extracts are provided.

The hotel’s à la carte and buffet restaurant specialises in Slovenian and international cuisine. Breakfast can also be ordered in the room.

A combined dry/wet sauna with chromotherapy is also available, as well as various massages.

The hotel’s business club is suitable for holding meetings and events of various formats. In addition, the hotel has 3 air-conditioned halls with modern technical equipment.

Bolfenk Resort 4-star hotel

This Alpine chalet-style hotel is set amidst an evergreen forest. It offers bright, spacious rooms and a variety of facilities for relaxation, fitness and business travellers.

It offers comfortable rooms with a private balcony offering wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Guests can rent a bike or go hiking in the surrounding area. A ski school is available during the season.

The hotel’s spa offers a variety of massages, facials and body treatments, as well as an indoor pool, Turkish bath and Finnish sauna. The hotel also has a large restaurant and a spacious meeting room with high ceilings, a projector and a TV screen.

The hotel can be quickly reached by car/taxi or by cable car. Free parking is available in front of the hotel. The distance to the city of Maribor is 23 km.

Hotel Zarja 3-star hotel

Hotel Zarja is surrounded by the Pohorje hills. It is located about 1,200 meters above sea level. This quiet and beautiful place is ideal for both active and relaxing holidays.

This family-run hotel is decorated in a rustic style. Admire the wooden and stone architecture of the hotel. It offers comfortable apartments with modern facilities to a high standard. From the apartments, guests can enjoy amazing views of the surrounding countryside.

Hotel Zarja is located just 3 km from some of the best slopes in Slovenia. Behind the hotel you will find a ski slope.

In summer, enjoy cycling, hiking and horse riding on wonderful trails. More and more visitors are enjoying the collection of medicinal herbs, mushrooms and wild berries.

Apartments Mariborsko Pohorje 4 star hotel

Set in Hočko Pohorje in the Podravje region, with Sljeme Ski Lift nearby, Apartments Mariborsko Pohorje features free WiFi and free private parking.

The apartments come with parquet floors and feature a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, a dining area, a TV with cable channels, and a private bathroom with bidet and a hairdryer.

Hiking and skiing can be enjoyed nearby. Guests can rent ski equipment and ski-to-door access and buy ski passes at the apartment.

What to see and do

As in the resort itself, so in neighboring Maribor there are many opportunities for recreation. There are architectural masterpieces (historically Pohorje is part of Austria-Hungary with its elegant style of construction), and a balneological health resort (Terme Maribor complex). And in winter, of course, the first violin is played by downhill skiing, sledding, snowboarding and paragliding – you can also do them if you wish.

In winter

There is also something to do here besides downhill skiing.

Take a walk around winter Maribor – and if you’re lucky, during the Christmas holidays. The old architecture of the historic center in the surroundings of preparation for the main holiday of the year is an unforgettable sight!

Fans of extreme entertainment can enjoy night descents with torches, paragliding, group parachute jumps and hot air balloon flights.

Visit local restaurants and cinemas, go shopping in Maribor (local boutiques have a good selection, especially during the Christmas holidays).

If you are tired of ordinary walks in the mountains, then take a look at the interesting programs that the resort staff conducts:

· Night sledding

It is in Maribor that the longest track in Europe designed for night skiing is located. Its length is 7 km, and the height difference is 1000 meters. Do not miss the opportunity to see the enchanting mountain landscapes at night.

· Romantic walk for two

If you came to the resort with your loved one, then you should pay attention to this excursion. In 40 minutes, you will be taken on a sleigh ride along the most picturesque slopes of the resort – Bellevue and Areh, and you will also be offered a glass of mulled wine or blueberry brandy.

· Giant slalom

If you have long felt like an athlete, then you should take part in downhill competitions. The rules are simple: you need to go down the mountain faster than your rivals. The races are held on the slopes of Mount Poštela or Cojzerica, and anyone can take part in them.

· Giant swings

Giant swings are perhaps the only type of recreation in the Pohorje resort that does not require physical exertion. It’s very simple – you sit on a giant swing and admire the snow-covered Maribor. The ride time is 15 minutes.

· XXL Football

Winter football is a great option for entertainment for large companies. The rules are simple: each team consists of 6 people who are connected to each other and move in a limited space. Fun is guaranteed!

· Treasure hunt

Treasure hunt is one of the best types of recreation for children and adults. It’s quite simple: the curator of your group hides treasures in the most unexpected places, and you look for them. By the way, when drawing up the plan, the tour guide takes into account your wishes.

· Snowshoeing

If you are tired of walking along the usual routes, then rent snowshoes and go for a walk through the quiet Pohorje forests.

In the summer

Active recreation of all kinds – from hiking with tents to cycling tours. The excellent infrastructure does not go anywhere with the melting snow: the resort offers guests all summer entertainment related to sports and tourism.

Maribor Pohorje in summer

Ljubljana Zoo. About 20 hectares without enclosures – the animals are in their natural habitat. Many of them can be fed, and some can even be stroked.

All year round

Regardless of the season, visiting Slovenia, you can always have fun in the following places.

Oceanarium. Located near Maribor and always attracts the attention of tourists with children. It houses over a hundred species of exotic reptiles and fish, including the famous poisonous puffer fish.

Великий ігровий комплекс Bumbar Park – тут безліч атракціонів і розваг для дітей і дорослих. Після ігор і пригод можна перекусити в місцевому кафе.

Терми Чатеж – їдьте і відвідайте знаменитий термальний комплекс «Рів’єра», який складається з двох частин – Зимової і Літньої. Загальна площа басейнів і майданчиків з атракціонами становить понад 10 тис. м². Зимова Рів’єра надійно укрита від холоду напівпрозорисм дахом і в гірськолижний сезон теж відкрита для всіх бажаючих. Олімпійський басейн, Піратський Острів, зона для прийняття сонячних ванн і імітація всіляких водних явищ – йти звідси просто не захочеться!

Термальні джерела Марібор

Крім катання на лижах Марібор може запропонувати вам і відпочинок у термальних джерел. На території міста розташований один з кращих в Словенії термальних комплексів. Температура води тут дорівнює 44 ° C, а доставляється вона з глибини 1200-1500 метрів.

У Маріборському термальному комплексі є все для повноцінного відпочинку: басейни, сауни, турецькі лазні, солярій, а також різне медичне обладнання. Звернути увагу на даний комплекс варто тим, хто хоче повернути молодість або оздоровитися – в центрі працюють фахівці, які підберуть необхідні саме вам процедури і складуть повноцінний комплекс.

Виноробні

Відвідування виноробів – одне з найпопулярніших розваг у туристів в Маріборі. І не дарма – тут дійсно є що подивитися і спробувати.

Вино Ramsak

У місті є кілька виноробень, а найбільшими є Ramsak і Vinogradi Horvat. План роботи у них однаковий: спочатку ви приходите в винний музей, де вам розповідають історію виноробства і конкретної марки. Далі ви проходите в дегустаційний зал (деякі виноробні приймають гостей тільки якщо місця були заброньовані заздалегідь) і пробуєте різні вина. Зазвичай господарі пропонують вибрати кілька напоїв на ваш розсуд. А після більшість відвідувачів йдуть в магазин, щоб придбати вподобаний сорт вина.

Виноробня Vinogradi Horvat

Виноробню Ramsak є сенс відвідати, якщо ви хочете побачити найбільший виноградний прес для вина в Європі, а також посидіти в затишній альтанці під виноградною лозою. А виноробня Vinogradi Horvat припаде до смаку тим, хто хоче побачити справжній винний льох і смачно пообідати. Господарі виноробів дуже доброзичливі, тому у вас немає шансів поїхати з Марібору, щоб не подружитись з ними.