Maribor Pohorje Ski Resort

The Maribor ski area hugs the main crest of Slovenia’s Pohorje Mountains. The resort boasts some 41.5 km of trails, including 23.5 km of blue runs for beginners, 13 km of red trails for intermediate skiers and 5 km of expert runs rated black.

One of the most picturesque trails for beginners and inexperienced skiers is undoubtedly Turisticna Proga. This eye-catching blue run starts at the mountain station of the Pohorska Vzpenjaca lift and gently winds its way down into the valley. There are numerous shorter blue runs spread throughout the ski area, most of which are accessible via surface lifts. As a result, Maribor is an ideal destination for inexperienced skiers looking to hone their skills.

Intermediate skiers and snowboarders will also find an array of enjoyable runs here. One such trail is Miranova Proga A, which starts at the base station of the Sleme gondola. This slope is broad and handsome as it descends towards the base station of the Radvanje gondola, making it ideal for anyone who loves making laid-back turns and soaking up the surroundings.

Experts shouldn’t miss the chance to test their mettle on the FIS slalom course below the mountain station of the Pohorska Vzpenjaca gondola. At the bottom, this run directly merges onto the black Jonatan trail which hugs the gondola lift. On top of that, the short black-rated Omarkova Proga runs alongside the Videc surface lift.

And the fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down either, as 10 kilometres of runs are floodlight until 9 PM.

Maribor doesn’t leave skiers and snowboarders in the lurch when it comes to food and drink either. There’s a good eatery at the base station in Maribor as well as at the top of the Pohorska Vzpenjaca gondola. The latter is home to the cosy Koca Koca Lodge which not only serves delicious food and drink but also offers unparalleled panoramic views over the city of Maribor. As the day draws to a close, the ski lodge transforms into a party hotspot, offering the ski area’s best après-ski atmosphere well into the early hours. The other notable ski lodge in this respect is located next to the ski school at the Ruska and Orel surface lifts.

The blue Turisticna Proga and intermediate Miranova Proga A are the runs to take if you want to head back into the valley. Miranova Proga is, without doubt, one of the most memorable trails in the ski area and ideal for anyone looking to enjoy some mellow carving.

Anyone travelling with a family or friends will find an array of leisure activities away from the ski slopes in Maribor. One unique activity offered for small groups is a treasure hunt. This involves working together armed with snowshoes, touring skis, Alpine skis, a snowboard or Bigfoot skis to uncover the secret of the hidden treasure.

The night-time sled run is an unforgettable way for families to spend an evening. The floodlit Stolp sled run offers plenty in the way of high-speed thrills and spills. And after a couple of runs, you won’t have to go far to warm up over a glass of mulled wine.

Snowshoes are an ideal way of exploring the snowbound landscape here, with specially groomed paths providing access to unspoiled parts of Pohorje’s forests. Cross-country skiing fans will also find a number of routes of various lengths and difficulties here.

If that all sounds like too much hard work, and you’d prefer to just lie back and unwind, then there are several wellness spa centres in the area to help you do just that. 

If you’re missing some of that Germanic beer culture in Slovenia, look no further than Pivnica Bavaria. This Bavarian-style beer hall is as authentic as they come.

Aside from that, the Koca Koca Lodge at the mountain station of the Pohorska Vzpenjaca lift is the party hotspot after dark. Skiers can enjoy top-notch après-ski here until well into the early hours.

And if you fancy heading into Maribor city centre in the evening, the nearby city offers plenty of pubs, nightclubs and discos to explore. 

Gostilna Milenium is the place to go for outstanding regional cuisine. This innovative eatery serves typical dishes from Slovenian Styria with a creative twist. The restaurant is around 10 km outside of Maribor on the main road towards the ski area.

By car: Maribor is only eleven kilometres from the Austrian border. Travelling from Graz direction, you can reach the city via the A9, the E57 and the E59, which is also how to reach the city from Zagreb. If you’re driving to the ski area from Ljubljana direction, take the A1 and E57.

By public transport: There are trains to Maribor from Vienna and Graz, Venezia Santa Lucia and Ljubljana, Zagreb, Budapest and Sentgotard as well as from Budapest and Lake Balaton.