Every year we remember the beginning of skiing in the High Tatras related to Doctor Michal
Guhr, a passionate pioneer of skiing in Slovakia in the early 20th century. A special skiing
technique will be demonstrated by skiers of the Association of Skiing Devotees on the slope
of Buková hora. Every participant of the race owns a pair of exemplary historical skis with a
leather binding and a loose heel, without metal edges and a pair of bamboo ski poles. “I
bought my skis at a second-hand shop, there was a tag of a Swiss post deposit,“ said Andrea
Varadyová from the Association of Skiing Devotees.
“If comparing the style of skiing on wooden skis with the style on modern skis, the historical
style resembles the cross-country skiing, down the slope of course,“ explained Andrea
Varadyová.
The technique on historic skis is much more difficult as feet in the boots are not fixed. And this requires a certain amount of skilfulness. Graceful skiing movements with historical music in the background, stylish clothes and hairstyle of the 1930ʼs will be a real pleasure and experience to watch. Long skirts, woollen knee socks, hats and typical sweaters belong to the past. Historical skiers find them in second-hand shops, in cellars, lofts or at flea markets. A real historical skier
should not forget to keep fit and prepare his skis, i.e. “grease” the wood with bacon skin or an ordinary candle.
“The best way how to prepare oneself for historic skiing is to do the cross-country skiing. But
sometimes, a short drink of gentian brandy or another spirit is enough for the brave ones.
This year´s race will be exceptional as there will be younger skiers and even children. We
expect around 30 skiers and other company who will be serving liquid refreshment or
commenting and criticising,“ said Andrea Varadyová.
Tatry mountain resorts, a.s. is the top player in the tourism segment in Central and Eastern Europe, which itself or via subsidiaries owns and operates attractive mountain resorts and hotels in the area of the Low and High Tatras. The assets in the Low Tatras include the resort Jasná Nízke Tatry and the following hotels: Wellness hotel Grand Jasná, Tri Studničky Hotel and Chalets Záhradky De Luxe. In the High Tatras, TMR owns and operates resorts Tatranská Lomnica, Starý Smokovec and the following hotels: Grandhotel Praha Tatranská Lomnica and Grandhotel Starý Smokovec, Hotel Slovakia and hotel FIS Štrbské Pleso. TMR also co‐operates the ski area Štrbské Pleso and since the winter season 2012/2013 it has been leasing the mountain resort Špindlerův Mlýn in the Czech Republic in cooperation with SMMR, a.s. TMR owns Tatralandia, the largest Slovak aquapark with all-year operation, which offers a lot of water activities, the Fun Park, or relax in a special tropical hall with sea water. It also offers accommodation in bungalows and suites of the Holiday Village Tatralandia. TMR owns and leases out Hotel Liptov and Hotel Ski&Fun Záhradky and Bungalows, and Kosodrevina Lodge. More than 144 million Euros have been invested by the end of 2012 in the already mentioned resorts. These investments help to increase the standard and visit rate in the Tatras. The TMR shares have been traded on three European stock exchanges – in Bratislava, Prague and Warsaw since 2012.