SKIING

Do you want to teach your kid how to ski or you desire to improve your skiing skills?

Vrátna is your place as you can find here many high quality ski and snowboard schools which will facilitate your way to improve your style of even make the first attempts to ski. If you decide to take a ski or snowboard course, private lessons or a small group (max. 3 persons) it the most effective form to achieve your goal. You get much more of attention from the instructor and you are more likely to master various exercises. Apart from the lessons, the schools will rent you all the equipment you can possibly need, such as skis, snowboard, everything for mountaineering, snowshoes and all the gear which let you make the best of your winter holiday. In case you have your own equipment, one of the service center will gladly take care of its maintenance and preparation to ensure safe skiing with no compromises.

SKI SCHOOLS AND SERVICES:

	SPORT ACADEMY VRÁTNA – ski and snowboard school, rental service, ski service, babysitting, snowtubing Web: http://www.vratna.net/ e-mail: vratna.net@gmail.com Tel.: 00421 905 906 244, 0908 522 384
	FATRA SKI – travel agency, ski school, ski service, alpine skiing, snowshoe hikes, sports shop Web: www.fatraski.sk e-mail: fatraski@fatraski.sk Tel.: 00421 905 838 469
	RAW VRÁTNA – ski rental, ski service, ski school, Rossignol experience center, a professional mountain guides, Web: www.raw-vratna.sk e-mail: rawvratna@gmail.com Tel: 0903 528 535, 0903 546 600

High quality slopes and representative environment make the region of Malá Fatra an ideal place for organizing skiing and alpine skiing events of national but also international importance.

The following events are regularly held here:

	EUROPEAN  SNOWBOARDING CUP This prestigious competition annually welcomes the best European snowboarders who demonstrate their superior skills. The excellent sport performances of skiers in the  giant parallel slalom are accompanied by a music programme, as well as other attractive events.
	MALÁ FATRA OPEN  Malá Fatra Open it is a competition in alpine skiing which is held every year. It comprises two trails along the ridges of Malá Fatra with the local as well as foreign participants. This traditional event is organized by the Slovak Ski Mountaineering organization. Participants can compete in male, female and junior category. The overall winner takes away a traveling wooden trophy which will be fought for the following year. Viac info: http://www.skialpkrivan.sk/
	INTERKRITÉRIUM VRÁTNA Interkritérium Vrátna is a name of an international ski race which has been held every year since 1971. The program of the event is spread over three days, during which participants compete in slalom and giant slalom. Viac info: http://www.vratna.org/
	SKI AND SNOWBOARD RACE FOR YOUR CHILDREN A ski race for your children takes place in the center every Friday during the winter season. The participants are divided into categories depending on their age (from 3 -14 years) and the number of the young skiers. After the official announcement of the results the resort GAVURKY organizes an after party in the apreski bar. Viac info: http://www.skigavurky.sk/
	PROMOTIONS Milka Fun Park in VrátnaTesting of ski equipment

Ski mountaineering in the majestic Slovak mountains has become a hit of the last couple of winters. If you are in search for more adrenaline rush from a free downhill run, or you simply want to escape from the hustle of big ski resorts, you should definitely consider taking a ski tour from the hilltops of the Fatra Mountains down to the valleys surrounding the cableways and ski-lifts of Malá Fatra. For the lovers of this sport the region offers excellent conditions for crossing the snowy country.

Any experienced skier will appreciate the 19 km long ski-touring routes along the mountain ridge of Malá Fatra. The whole ridge is above the forest limit which allows you to fully enjoy the vistas of the Veľká Fatra Mountians,  Low and High Tatras, Choč Mountains and Kysuce highlands. If snow conditions are good, there is no need to unbind your skis during the tour.

You can decide for a ski tour along the mountain ridge setting off from Štefanová. From there you climb up to the peak of Stoh (1608 m a.s.l.). Veľký Rozsutec is not suitable for the tour because of its rocky terrain as well as high avalanche danger and nature conservation. The tour then continues from Stoh to Poludňový grúň. The first section of the ridge is rather difficult. There are steep ascends, descents and large elevation differences. From Poludnovy Grun you will have an opportunity for a breather as the terrain is flat and easy along the ridge called Steny. After passing it you will get to the stretch of the lofty Fatra peaks. Then you go from Hromové to Chleb and from there you will ski down to get to Snilovské saddleback.  From there it is up to you whether you take the route to Vrátna valley to the cottage Vrátna or you continue to the Bublen saddle, passing Kaviarske which eventually takes you also to the cottage Vrátna. Right under the ridge on the south side of the cottage saddle there is a cozy cottage called Cottage under Chleb which is an ideal place to spend a night after a strenuous hike. Those with some more stamina may want to choose to continue along the ridge through Malý Kriváň and Suchý all the way to Strečno which marks the end of the Kriváň part of the Malá Fatra Mountains.

For those who long for raw terrains, so called freeride zones Vrátna Valley is one of the finest places for doing this extreme sport. The north-facing slopes of Krivánska Fatra flowing into Vrátna Valley are rather steep, covered by grass and dwarf pine and thus create ideal conditions for skiing in freshly fallen powder. The most recommended spot for freeriders is a locality called Chleb. Take a cable car up to the Snilovské saddle and commence it your ride either on Veľký Kriváň, Stoh or Chleb.

If you fancy steep and difficult slopes, there are plenty on the entire west side of Steny. There are many equally dangerous dales, two from Hromovník, the southwest dale from Veľký Kriváň, the south-facing side of Pekelník, or the dale from Kraviarske.

Enjoy the positive nature vibes and atmosphere of Malá Fatra and discover captivating places of the region. Cross-country skiing and ski tourism may increase your stamina and be beneficial for the circulatory and respiratory system, so do not hesitate and give a try to this popular physical activity right in the picturesque region of Malá Fatra. Cross-country skiing in the region has a long and strong tradition. Many different competitions and races are held here. Regional Organization for Tourism looks after the maintenance of 16 km of trails between Belá and Terchová which are  suitable for classic style as well as free style skiing. The trail between Kysucká Magistrála connecting Krásno nad Kysucou and Nová Bystrica.