Winter also brings peace and quiet to the mountains. Cow and sheep bells on the mountains are replaced by the quiet footsteps of game in the snow, and colourful colours are replaced by calm tones. Retreating to the mountains in winter has its pitfalls. Even as we face warmer temperatures in the valley, the mountain world enters its winter season in autumn. In the mountains, the first snow often falls in autumn, with temperature fluctuations leading to icy paths and the risk of slipping, which can be fatal.

Weather monitoring

In winter, the first priority is to monitor weather conditions and avalanche risks. Before you leave, make sure you know which routes are passable at the time of your departure. If conditions are not favourable, opt for less demanding trails that offer enough effort and hiking pleasure in winter, but without unnecessary risks and dangers.

In the mountains with an experienced mountain guide

In winter, it is recommended to be accompanied by an experienced mountaineer or mountain guide. In any case, don’t go alone in the mountains and inform your family before you leave.

In the event of triggering or in an avalanche, rapid assistance is paramount, so it is important that we are not alone on the tour and that everyone on the tour is properly equipped and trained for avalanche searches.

Bivouacs are just an emergency shelter

The bivouac offers emergency shelter. This should not be our goal. There are a few in our area, but they are mainly emergency shelters. They do not provide food and are not heated. If you are going to stay in a bivouac, it is important that you tidy up after yourself when you leave.

  • Avalanche risk in the Julian Alps

    Snowfall and wind are the main causes of avalanche risk. Always check the current situation before you leave! The hazard levels are based on the European five-point avalanche hazard scale.

  • Emergency equipment: avalanche triplet kit

    The avalanche triplet kit (avalanche beacon, shovel and probe) is therefore an essential piece of winter equipment. This equipment is not a guarantee that we will not be surprised by an avalanche, it is just an aid in case of an avalanche. Always check the current situation before you leave!

  • Bivouacs are just an emergency shelter

    The bivouac offers emergency shelter. This should not be our goal. There are a few in our area, but they are mainly emergency shelters. They do not provide food and are not heated. If you are going to stay in a bivouac, it is important that you tidy up after yourself when you leave.

  • GRS (Mountain Rescue Team) courses and lectures

    The Bohinj Mountain Rescue Team recommends that all of you who are tempted by the winter mountain world should attend courses and lectures on safe movement in the mountains in winter.

Good planning is key

The paths are snow-covered in winter and there are no markings, so knowing the terrain is very important. Because of the snow cover, we use skis or snowshoes to visit the mountains in winter. Without them, we quickly run into problems in the snow – the punctures add time and require a good level of fitness. This should be taken into account when planning your tour. We need to allow for shorter days and longer walking times than in summer.

Mountain huts in winter

Most of the huts are closed, except in exceptional circumstances. These huts are generally well-trodden in winter, except in the event of heavy snowfalls. Usually open in the winter: Dom na Komni, Blejska koča na Lipanci, Orožnova koča na planini za Liscem, Koča na Vojah in Koča na Uskovnici. Part of the winter season also includes the Koča pod Bogatinom.

However, you should check the condition and openness of the huts before your tour. By clicking on the “More” button, you can view information about hut openings on the PZS website.

Related content

With the summer and winter Julian Alps: Bohinj Card, we encourage the use of more environmentally friendly forms of transport.
SKI BUS services to Vogel, Soriška planina and Pokljuka – will be available from 23 December to 30 March 2024 (or until cancelled).
Check the current situation in Bohinj with live webcameras in different locations.

Weather conditions

Good information, equipment adapted to the weather conditions and knowledge of how to use it, as well as experience and knowledge of the area, are the prerequisites before venturing into the mountains at any time of the year. And even more so in winter.

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Explore the many possibilities for winter adventures in Bohinj.