Page 152 - Koderman, Miha, and Vuk Tvrtko Opačić. Eds. 2020. Challenges of tourism development in protected areas of Croatia and Slovenia. Koper, Zagreb: University of Primorska Press, Croatian Geographical Society
P. 152
challenges of tourism development in protected areas of croatia and slovenia
dows and most doors were replaced; in 2009, a more efficient solar power
station was constructed and electrical installations in the cottage were ren-
ovated (Jaksetič, 2009).
The beginning of the 1990s also brought important political and so-
cio-economic changes with the disintegration of the Socialist Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia. A new international border was established be-
tween the former Yugoslav federal republics of Slovenia and Croatia and
free mobility of mountaineers and hikers across the newly established bor-
der was now formally limited to the border crossings that were set on the
main roads connecting the two countries.
Development of skiing in Sviščaki
The wider area of Sviščaki does not only have a long tradition as a popu-
lar hiking resort (especially from spring to autumn); since the second half
of the 1960s, Sviščaki has been a significant area in terms of winter sports
and recreation. The development of “contemporary” organised skiing in
Sviščaki began in 1967 when a skiing division was established in the lo-
cal Alpine Association, and only a year later the unaffiliated Skiing Club
Snežnik was founded (Ski Club Snežnik, 2019a), which started construct-
ing ski runs in Sviščaki. In 1968 and 1969, the first ski run was built by in-
volving volunteers and the military, and a motorised ski lift was acquired
(Ski Club Snežnik, 2019c).
The year 1969 witnessed the organisation of the first ski course with
120 participants (Ski Club Snežnik, 2019b), while the first competitions and
courses for skiing instructors followed in the next few years. In the 1971–
1984 period, the so-called “Snežnik Cup” was organised annually at the
end of the skiing season in May—a spectacular skiing competition starting
from the very top of Snežnik (Ski Club Snežnik, 2019d). In 1972, a more ef-
ficient electrically-operated stand-alone ski lift was introduced, after elec-
tricity was brought to Sviščaki (Ski Club Snežnik, 2019c). Simultaneously, a
smaller ski hut was built by the side of the ski slope and the first snow ma-
chines were acquired. The development of demand for skiing in Sviščaki
quickly exceeded what the club could offer, which is why the management
and organisation of the ski centre were taken over by the Municipality of
Ilirska Bistrica (Ski Club, 2019c).
In 1985, a less steep ski run was created beside the main one, and two
more ski runs as well as another ski lift were also added. The latter turned
out to be unprofitable, as the ski run happened to be situated on the sunny
150
dows and most doors were replaced; in 2009, a more efficient solar power
station was constructed and electrical installations in the cottage were ren-
ovated (Jaksetič, 2009).
The beginning of the 1990s also brought important political and so-
cio-economic changes with the disintegration of the Socialist Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia. A new international border was established be-
tween the former Yugoslav federal republics of Slovenia and Croatia and
free mobility of mountaineers and hikers across the newly established bor-
der was now formally limited to the border crossings that were set on the
main roads connecting the two countries.
Development of skiing in Sviščaki
The wider area of Sviščaki does not only have a long tradition as a popu-
lar hiking resort (especially from spring to autumn); since the second half
of the 1960s, Sviščaki has been a significant area in terms of winter sports
and recreation. The development of “contemporary” organised skiing in
Sviščaki began in 1967 when a skiing division was established in the lo-
cal Alpine Association, and only a year later the unaffiliated Skiing Club
Snežnik was founded (Ski Club Snežnik, 2019a), which started construct-
ing ski runs in Sviščaki. In 1968 and 1969, the first ski run was built by in-
volving volunteers and the military, and a motorised ski lift was acquired
(Ski Club Snežnik, 2019c).
The year 1969 witnessed the organisation of the first ski course with
120 participants (Ski Club Snežnik, 2019b), while the first competitions and
courses for skiing instructors followed in the next few years. In the 1971–
1984 period, the so-called “Snežnik Cup” was organised annually at the
end of the skiing season in May—a spectacular skiing competition starting
from the very top of Snežnik (Ski Club Snežnik, 2019d). In 1972, a more ef-
ficient electrically-operated stand-alone ski lift was introduced, after elec-
tricity was brought to Sviščaki (Ski Club Snežnik, 2019c). Simultaneously, a
smaller ski hut was built by the side of the ski slope and the first snow ma-
chines were acquired. The development of demand for skiing in Sviščaki
quickly exceeded what the club could offer, which is why the management
and organisation of the ski centre were taken over by the Municipality of
Ilirska Bistrica (Ski Club, 2019c).
In 1985, a less steep ski run was created beside the main one, and two
more ski runs as well as another ski lift were also added. The latter turned
out to be unprofitable, as the ski run happened to be situated on the sunny
150
