HIGH TATRAS (13th December 2024) – A new update for visitors to the High Tatras. The previously announced paid programme for ski tourers on ski pistes will be replaced by a free test regime this season.
The ski resort adjusted its originally announced regime just a day before the start of the ski season in Tatranská Lomnica. “We have defined and prepared a legal framework aimed at regulating the uncontrolled rise in the number of ski tourers on ski pistes. The new regime was meant to introduce charges for ski touring on the pistes as a service we provide to enthusiasts of this sport, including daily grooming of slopes and various benefits such as discounts and Mountain Rescue Service insurance. However, considering the current routing of the hiking trail which overlaps and repeatedly intersects with ski pistes, as well as the anticipated update to the national park rules, we have decided to postpone the implementation of ski touring charges by one year. The same applies to Štrbské Pleso,” said Dušan Slavkovský, the general manager of the Vysoké Tatry resort. This decision has been consulted with the Administration of the Tatra National Park based in Tatranská Lomnica.
“During the winter season, hiking trails not subject to seasonal closures can also be used by ski tourers. Their numbers in the Tatras are increasing, including those moving along ski pistes. Since the trail from Tatranská Lomnica to Skalnaté Pleso overlaps with the ski piste, we want to ensure that tourists using the trail stay safe and avoid life-threatening situations resulting from collisions among skiers, ski tourers and hikers. The TANAP Administration has agreed with the ski resort operator in Tatranská Lomnica on measures to enhance safety while adhering to the current national park rules. For the upcoming 2024/2025 winter season, we will temporarily redirect the hiking trail by marking a detour. This alternative route will be free for all winter tourists,” explained Peter Olexa, the TANAP Administration director.
The temporary redirected hiking trail will serve as the official ascent route for ski tourers to avoid critical sections. This will be the safest solution in the area and will also cater to hikers. A similar approach will be taken for ski tourers in the Štrbské Pleso resort. All visitors will be required to comply with the resort rules. In addition, the ski resort operator and the TANAP Administration have agreed on the following measures:
- The hiking trail will be redirected temporarily to eliminate critical, life-threatening sections.
- The new ascent route will be mandatory for all individuals walking up the pistes except skiers with valid ski passes and rescue personnel.
- Ski touring in Tatranská Lomnica and Štrbské Pleso will be available only during the resort opening times.
- Night ski touring at Štrbské Pleso will be cancelled.
- The adherence to ascent routes and compliance with the resort opening times will be monitored more thoroughly.
- Ski touring charges in the ski resorts in the High Tatras will come into effect from the 2025/26 season.
The ski resort has planned to introduce charges for ski touring on the pistes as a response to its increasing popularity and frequent disregard for the rules of movement on ski pistes, which has regularly endangered all users of the slopes. While some resorts worldwide have already banned ski touring on ski pistes altogether, the Tatras have opted for an approach already familiar in other Slovak resorts. Imposing ski touring charges is also a way to contribute to the costs of snowmaking and slope grooming, which reach millions of euros in resorts annually. Immense pressure from ski tourers to ascend ski pistes outside the resorts’ opening times is another critical issue requiring resolution. It poses extreme daily risks of collisions during slope maintenance and results in damages to groomed pistes, which requires further costly repairs.