Skiing Unites and Brings Positive Change

Elan Sports Division has hosted a roundtable titled Skiing: Our Heritage, Our Future – The Positive Effects of Sports on Health, Economy, and Tourism, which took place at our Alpine Ski Museum. Experts discussed the positive impacts of spending time on snow and stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure to further develop Slovenia's ski tourism and sports culture.

 

Participants included Dejan Plastovski, Director General of the Directorate for Sports at the Ministry of Economy, Tourism, and Sports; Uroš Zupan, Director of the Ski Association of Slovenia; Boštjan Paradiž, President of the Slovenian Ski Lift Association; Dr. Andreja Štelcar, paediatrician and neonatologist; and Filip Flisar, a former Slovenian ski cross athlete. The discussion was moderated by Leon Korošec, Director of the Sports Division at Elan.

"Sport is one of the few things that unite us and bring positivity. It’s very important to instil this on our children so they can feel the passion for sports," said Dejan Plastovski, Director General of the Directorate for Sports.

Slovenians have long been considered a skiing nation, with a history spanning over 400 years. Janez Vajkard Valvasor was the first person in the world to describe zigzag skiing in Slovenia, making it a unique cultural legacy. This tradition is not just a historical curiosity but a foundation on which Slovenians build their global reputation in sports and tourism. Skiing has become an integral part of the country’s cultural and economic landscape, intertwining recreation, tourism, and internationally recognized brands.

“These are historic moments we must nurture. We are aware of the responsibility we carry and we are working hard to create conditions for skiing to once again become a driving force of our national sports,” explained Uroš Zupan, Director of the Ski Association of Slovenia. “The Ski Association of Slovenia does not only focus on top athletes but mainly on clubs focusing on youth and children. Our mission is to take care of them,” he added.

Investing in Ski Infrastructure

Boštjan Paradiž, President of the Slovenian Lift Association, emphasized the importance of investing in ski infrastructure. “This is the greatest multiplier for all other activities – by creating modern ski resorts, we create conditions for hospitality, and tourism, and attract visitors from around the world.”

 

Dr. Andreja Štelcar highlighted skiing's positive impact on children’s psychological and motor development. "Skiing is not just one sport; it combines many activities. When children start skiing, they stay active year-round with fitness training that includes running, swimming, and cycling. From a motor development perspective, this is crucial. I see skiing as the optimal sport because it gives children a foundation for various disciplines, making it easier for them to specialize later. Additionally, spending time in nature offers one of the best ways to disconnect from the digital world, which children desperately need today."

Making Skiing Accessible to Youth

Uroš Zupan introduced a nationwide project, Schoolkids on Skis, which offers elementary school students a free, structured day of skiing. “This year, we will get over 10,000 children on skis – half of the current generation. Our goal is to bring back the winter school in nature as an obligatory part of school curriculum, as we believe we have the conditions to make this happen every year,” he added.

“Skiing can only happen if we have ski infrastructure, that enables sustainable and balanced tourism. During the summer, it provides opportunities for advanced cycling and hiking tourism. Last year, we invested over €80 million to lay the groundwork for further development of mountain resorts and both winter and summer tourism. It’s essential to preserve smaller, local ski resorts, as they are pivotal for future generations,” stressed Boštjan Paradiž.

A Personal Perspective on Skiing

Filip Flisar shared his love for skiing and how he passed it on to his daughter. “For me, skiing is more than just a sport – it’s a way of life that connects me with nature, challenges me, and gives me unparalleled freedom. I try to pass this passion to my daughter because I firmly believe skiing offers something unique. Seeing her joy on the slopes reminds me of how much happiness this sport brings. Skiing isn’t just about competition; it’s about personal growth, perseverance, discipline, and respect for nature. These are the values I strive to share with the younger generation, showing them it’s not just about reaching the top but enjoying every moment on skis.”

“Skiing is above all a family sport that unites people. The state has always supported skiing systemically and has designated skiing as one of two sports of national importance,” concluded Dejan Plastovski.

Slovenia is a country with a rich history and an ambitious future in skiing. All participants agreed on the need to continue innovating and promoting skiing as an accessible, sustainable, and intragenerational activity. Through similar events, Elan aims to raise awareness of the positive effects of spending time on snow while addressing the challenges in skiing and contributing to its future development in Slovenia.