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Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Skiing from "The Big-One"of the Julian Alps is not something you would do every day.

By LAJF INC.

July 11^th, 2020

Demanding Mountain

Triglav is a powerful national symbol, it is our home mountain worthy of every respect. It is the highest mountain of the Julian Alps. There are several routes leading to the summit, all well protected with iron steps and wires, and because of that, many people choose to climb it. It is often portrayed as a film backdrop and used for numerous national promotions. With its height it is a real »hatchery« of snow and therefore an interesting alpine-skiing destination. In terms of skiing, it is quite a demanding mountain, as it rarely offers favorable conditions and no ski line that starts at the top of the mountain, at the Aljaž Tower, should be underestimated.

In fact, I am lucky to have a constant view of the mountain. From home, as well as from the office window I have a view to the Triglav’s eastern wall - the wall that is skied on. And just before the world pandemic hit us all, Andraž and Bine and myself skied these eastern slopes that I admire every day.

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Safe skiing pleasures?!

A day before the planned skiing, we met at Kredarica hut. Due to family commitments in the evening, I got to Kredarica in the middle of the night. The night sky was clear with a beautiful, almost mystical light provided by a strong moon. The moon always reminds me of my daughter that is named after it, as the moon was full the day she was born.

We got up very early the next morning. This was followed by preparation and some much-needed jokes, but also serious faces when it came to skiing tactics and the necessary equipment. Ski equipment has advanced tremendously in the last decade, so much so that skiing in the mountains has become a real pleasure. Wide and light skis, but still just hard enough, top quality, allow for really smooth and easy turns. In the past few winter seasons, for example, I have reduced the weight of my ski equipment by forty to fifty percent. The whole industry strives for easier, higher quality and better usefulness. However, needless to say, skiing knowledge is still the basis for safe skiing pleasures.

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

All three of us take skiing very seriously

It was 6:30 in the morning when we crossed under the east wall without rushing on skis. A year before that I was under this wall as a part of the team of four, but due to poor snowfall we had to turn around and skied across Prag into the Vrata valley. This year, there was more snow, but not nearly as much as in the past, when the entire summit part was covered in snow. It was there when we decided to go ahead and ski on the eastern slopes. The ascent with ice axes in hand progressed nicely and the wall looked really airy and full of dynamic passages.

After some time of climbing, we found ourselves standing on the northern ridge, which had very little snow and was quite rocky. For a moment I doubted skiing there will be possible at all. I don't know why this thought even occurred to me, when I knew that I had skied similar and even more difficult routes several times before. It was probably out of respect for our highest and most important mountain.

All three of us take skiing very seriously. We begin skiing season every year as early as the beginning of November. I usually draw somewhere between forty and fifty complex ski lines a year, and to that I add about ten days of the so-called »search for sensations« on the ski slopes. Everyone in the family loves to ski and it makes me happy when we can spend time together on the snowy slopes of the mountains.

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Triglav is a powerful national symbol

At the top of Triglav, windless weather and a beautiful view of the surrounding peaks awaited us. Each of us took the time to prepare for the descent. It is important to prepare for such things both technically as well mentally. To check each and every piece of mountaineering and ski equipment, carefully arrange the equipment on the climbing belt, put it in a backpack, fasten ski boots properly, check helmet, ice ax, carabiners… Every little thing, that later affects confidence in yourself, in equipment, and to the quality of the descent and consequently, of course, safety. All three of us understand the importance of mountaineering and skiing equipment and pay a lot of attention to these »little things«. We are looking for only the best solutions and we use them, so that skiing is easier, smoother and safer.

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

The descent

After a few short warm-up turns and controlled gliding to the south side of the mountain, we were ready for the descent. Bine has an extraordinary will and a great sense for video production, so, as usual, he installed a video camera on his helmet. Probably without his video, which he shot and edited perfectly, we would only post a few photos and “selfies” and people would comment, “Look at them fools, they’re just showing off,” but with the video the viewers got a special treat. The comments were like: “Maniacs, what are they doing! Do they have to?! ” Either way, in any case, the skier and climber, sadly, becomes a fool. I, myself have never skied or climbed to be seen by 60,000+ people, but honestly, I don’t mind it either.

The descent initially took place along a sharp and rocky northern ridge. We were careful, we skied diagonally, but on some parts we also slid down the slope and even had to walk across some rocks. Technically the most demanding part of the descent was passing from the ridge to the eastern slopes. In this part, an ice axe had to be pinned to the ice to make us feel more sovereign. In the upper part of the east wall we were greeted by soft snow, which the sun had not yet found in this shadowy part. This was followed by a long crossing of the slope to the open and exposed part of the wall. We skied this part in technically demanding turns, the so-called hopping turns, and with some sliding down. I surprised myself a bit, as I thought skiing would be easier for me, but the turns there just weren’t for me. I didn't trust myself as much as I should.

Technically the most demanding part of the descent was passing from the ridge to the eastern slopes. In this part, an ice axe had to be pinned to the ice to make us feel more sovereign

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Steep terrain and challenging skiing

We did the descent as a group and skied in sections, meaning that the first skier descended from the starting point to the next safe point in the wall, and the other two followed him. Sometimes such a section can be only a few turns long, other times a few hundred meters of a descent. This is almost the only group tactic that brings success and affects the safety of the descent on such a demanding, varied and upright terrain. The last part of the wall was waiting for us with better conditions, which also meant faster skiing. When we reached the ridge that leads to the famous »Mullerjev kamin«, we realized that we were able to ski continuously from the top of Triglav to the glacier below Kredarica, despite the bad conditions.

Skiing from Triglav is not something you would do every day. The terrain is steep, and skiing is challenging, especially when skiing from the top of the mountain and the turns start already at the Aljaž Tower. Our highest mountain must be carefully observed, the conditions monitored and the appropriate tactics chosen.

Skiing from the summit of Mt Triglav

Nothing is given, everything is worked hard for

There have been several recorded descents from Triglav, but in recent years, due to bad snow conditions on the mountain, such descents are rather rare. I have unsuccessfully attempted to ski on southern slopes, and last year on the east side, but my third attempt was the lucky one. Despite the bad conditions, it was a real ski descent from the summit. I am glad to have experienced this with Andraž and Bine, who are not only excellent skiers and mountaineers, but also extraordinary people. Nothing is given, everything is worked hard for and this descent was successful due to our rich experience, knowledge and exceptional will.

We are here for you

Mount Triglav – an impressive 2,864m three headed monster - is part of the Triglav National Park, an area of the Julian Alps. The highest Slovenian mountain, is a symbol of Slovene national identity. With over 23 years of experience, we know most secrets of walking, climbing and ski touring around Mt Triglav and Julian Alps. Join us to climb "The Big One" or skiing around Julian Alps. We are here for you. To answer your questions, help you with everything you need for around Mt Triglav and Triglav National Park.

Footnotes

Written by Matey Mejovsek; Photography by Bine Žalohar and Franci Pogačar; Video by Bine Žalohar

FootNotes

Written by Matey Mejovsek; Photography by Bine Žalohar and Franci Pogačar; Video by Bine Žalohar

© 2026 LAJF INC.

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