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Types of Skiing Explained: Alpine, Nordic, Touring & SkateTrip Guide
Ready to learn SUP in one of Europe’s most stunning alpine settings? This guide covers everything you need to show up confident and prepared for five days of paddling glacier-fed lakes, hiking mountain trails, and discovering why Slovenia should be on every adventure bucket list.
Getting to Slovenia is straightforward – most people fly into Ljubljana then jump on our transfer. It’s under an hour to Lake Bled and our trip start point, and we coordinate pickups to maximise your adventure time while offering flexible travel options.
A group transfer is included on both the arrival and departure days. Timings change depending on the date of your trip so ensure you’re looking at the right adventure before booking your flights.
5 Nights
June and September
Arrival Day:
Ljubljana City Pickup: 09:40
Ljubljana Airport Pickup: 10:10
Lake Bled meeting point: 11:00*
Departure Day:
Lake Bled Drop off: 18:30
Ljubljana Airport Drop off: 19:20
Ljubljana City Drop off: 19:50
July and August
Arrival Day:
Ljubljana City Pickup: 09:55
Ljubljana Airport Pickup: 10:25
Lake Bled meeting point: 11:15*
Departure Day:
Lake Bled Drop off: 18:30
Ljubljana Airport Drop off: 19:20
Ljubljana City Drop off: 19:50
*Please note Lake Bled pick up may change a little depending on traffic and logistics on the day – your host and guide will keep you updated via the WhatsApp group.
6 Nights
Arrival Day:
Ljubljana City Pickup: 09:40
Ljubljana Airport Pickup: 10:10
Lake Bled meeting point: 11:00*
Departure Days
Ljubljana Airport Drop off: 08:50
This trip ends in Ljubljana so we only offer a transfer back to the airport.
London Gatwick to Ljubljana with easyJet fits our schedule perfectly. Early mornings not your thing? British Airways from Heathrow to Ljubljana the day before also works well.
Absolutely. You can fly into Ljubljana from most European capitals.
Venice is another option to fly into. Then it’s about 2-2.5 hours by bus or shared taxi to Ljubljana through stunning Alpine scenery.
Smart move, especially if you hate early flights. Ljubljana is worth exploring, and Lake Bled makes a perfect pre-trip base. We’re happy to recommend accommodation for extra nights.
Pack light. Space in the van is limited so please don’t pack a huge suitcase. Cabin-sized luggage works best for transport logistics. We recommend packing thin layers and active wear which hopefully won’t take up too much space.
If you do need to bring a large suitcase please get in touch with our booking team.
You can always fly in the day before or stay an extra night after. Ljubljana and Lake Bled both have good accommodation options. Alternative routes include flying to Venice and taking a 2-2.5 hour bus to Ljubljana.
Fly to Ljubljana where our transfer will meet you to make the one-hour drive to the start point of the trip. We offer three pick-up and drop-off points for the transfer on this trip. Please make sure your own travel plans align with these.
Start by booking flights that line up with the transfer times, and give yourself enough of a buffer to reach the pickup comfortably rather than cutting it fine.
If something does go wrong on the day, let us know as soon as you can, through the WhatsApp group so your host and guide are in the loop. We can’t guarantee the transfer will be able to wait, so for a longer delay or a cancellation you may need to make your own way to the start point. Your host and guide will be able to help you book a private transfer. This is exactly why we ask everyone to have travel insurance, so any extra costs are covered
This trip is rated moderate – you’ll be active 5-6 hours daily but don’t need to be an athlete. Think active holiday rather than endurance challenge, with the reward of alpine lakes and mountain views that make every sweaty moment worth it.
Fitness Requirements: Medium to high-intensity cardio 3 times weekly for 45 minutes. Running, HIIT, cycling, spin classes – activities that get your heart pumping. Walking and yoga won’t cut it for the cardio demands, but they’re great additions.
SUP Experience: None needed. Our guides start with basics – how to hold the paddle, find your balance, and build confidence before tackling longer distances. You’ll fall in a few times while learning, but that’s part of the fun.
Swimming Requirements: You must be able to swim 100m comfortably. You don’t need to be a strong swimmer, but confidence in water is essential when you’re learning to balance on a board.
Hiking: The distances aren’t huge, but the terrain can be uneven, rocky and really steep in some parts. Come prepared – this isn’t a stroll in the park.
If you’re regularly active and enjoy physical challenges, you’ll be fine. Honestly, the mountain and lake scenery will carry you through tougher moments.
Build up your endurance with back-to-back active days. Try hiking one day, then cycling or swimming the next. Your body needs to get used to being active daily rather than having rest days between workouts.
Practice on hills near home, even if they’re small. Focus on building leg strength and getting comfortable with uneven terrain. Start with shorter distances and build up – your hiking muscles are different from gym muscles.
Not necessary, but if you have access to a SUP lesson or calm water, it’ll give you confidence. Focus more on swimming fitness and core strength – these matter more than technique, which we’ll teach you.
You’ll split your time between two very different but equally comfortable bases. Two nights at a cozy 4-star hotel right on Lake Bohinj for easy lake access, then three nights at an authentic local farm that produces much of its own food and wine.
Your lakeside base with all the facilities – private bathrooms, decent WiFi, and comfortable rooms. After active days, you’ll appreciate having somewhere nice to recover with mountain and lake views from your window. Not to mention the swimming pool!
This is the real Slovenia experience – staying with a local family who’ve worked this land for generations. Expect simple, authentic accommodation with hearty traditional meals using ingredients grown metres from your room. Limited WiFi, but that’s probably a good thing.
All meals included from lunch on arrival to dinner on departure. Expect hearty Slovenian cuisine designed to fuel active days – think fresh trout, locally-grown vegetables, homemade bread, and farm-fresh dairy rather than fancy restaurant food.
Authentic and simple – you’re staying with a real farming family, not a luxury hotel. Clean, comfortable beds and traditional meals, but WiFi is patchy and bathrooms might be shared. It’s part of the adventure and gives you genuine insight into rural Slovenian life.
We can cater for most needs, though choices may be limited when working with local restaurants and farms. Vegetarians will have good options. Vegans are welcome, but be aware the choices will be very restricted.
We currently can’t accommodate for coeliac diets or severe allergies. Meals are prepared in locations with a single kitchen, so we can’t guarantee zero cross-contamination.
If you’re unsure, please get in touch before you book your trip and we can offer more information.
The hotel should have them (ask reception), but the farm won’t. Pack a travel-sized one if you need it, or embrace the mountain hair look.
Slovenia produces some surprisingly excellent wines you’ve probably never heard of. In the Vipava Valley you’ll be introduced to local grapes and winemaking traditions. We can’t provide discounts if you choose not to participate in the drinking, but the cultural experience is worth it.
Summer in Slovenia means warm, sunny days with substantial sun exposure, especially July and August, but there could also be some cooler rainy days too. June and September are also sunny, but with a chance of more rain showers. This means plans may need to be swapped, but also makes the locations far quieter!
Mountain weather changes quickly – you might experience sunshine and rain within the same hour. Come prepared for anything and trust your guides to adjust plans accordingly.
Our guides monitor conditions closely and have backup plans ready. Safety comes first, but you’ll still get your full adventure experience. We might swap a lake paddle for river exploration or adjust hiking routes, but every day includes activities.
Water reflection doubles UV exposure. Bring high-SPF waterproof sunscreen, a hat and long-sleeved UV protection tops. Sunglasses with a floating strap are also essential – you’ll need to wear them, but losing them in a lake isn’t fun.
Alpine lake water is refreshing (translation: cold), especially earlier in the summer season. We provide shorty wetsuits if conditions require them for out on the water. Then layer up for hiking – you’ll warm up quickly with elevation gain but mountain peaks stay cool.
Heavy rain or storms might keep us off the water temporarily, but Slovenia has excellent indoor activity options. We’ve never had to cancel a full day – just adjust locations and timing. Mountain weather rarely stays bad for long.
Money: Slovenia uses Euros. Budget €20-30 daily for extras like drinks, ice cream, souvenirs and tips. Most places accept cards, but bring cash for small vendors and mountain huts.
Communication: If you’ve got a data package that enables it, there’s good mobile coverage in populated areas, but expect patchy service in the mountain valleys. WiFi is available at accommodations, though the connection at the Farm Stay can be unreliable. You’ll be offline during activities, which is probably exactly what you need.
Tipping is not compulsory on our adventures, but if you’ve had a great trip and brilliant service, a tip for your guide or host is always appreciated. We recommend giving €20-€30, or whatever you can or feel is the right amount.
There are limited laundry options during the trip. Pack enough for 5 active days or bring quick-wash travel detergent for essential items.
Our guides are first-aid trained and carry comprehensive medical kits. We have emergency evacuation procedures for serious injuries and direct contact with local medical services. Travel insurance that covers your adventure activities is mandatory.
Slovenians are friendly but appreciate politeness. Learn “hvala” (thank you) and “prosim” (please/you’re welcome). Mountain etiquette applies – respect nature and other trail users.
Fabric Choices: Pack merino wool or synthetic equivalents – never cotton, which stays wet and cold. Merino regulates temperature better and doesn’t smell after multiple active days.
Layering System: Base layer for moisture management, insulation layer for warmth, waterproof outer for protection. Then decide based on the weather and activity. Being able to add/remove layers easily is essential.
Footwear Specifics: Your hiking boots will get wet crossing streams and on dewy morning trails. Waterproof boots are ideal, but good drainage and quick-drying materials work too. Break them in before you travel.
Hand Luggage Priorities: Pack swimwear, one hiking outfit, and medications in carry-on. Wear your hiking boots on the flight – you may have to take them off going through security at the airport, but no one wants to have to replace their boots quickly if your luggage gets delayed.
Swimwear under a UV rash vest, with quick-dry shorts or leggings over the top if you want them. Add water shoes, sunglasses with a floating strap, and a hat. Don’t wear anything you’d mind getting wet.
Only if they have solid grip and good ankle support. Standard running or gym trainers aren’t suitable — the terrain is rocky and uneven. If you don’t have the right footwear you can’t do the hikes.
No, we can provide a shorty wetsuit if the water temperature calls for it. If you have your own and want to bring it, that’s fine, but it’s not something you need to buy.
We’d prefer it if you don’t. The boards we use are well-suited to the locations and conditions, and it creates logistics complications we’d rather avoid. Trust us on this one.
Trip Code SLOBANSUPB. Include this code in any message so we can find your trip straight away.
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