In the picturesque town of Žirovnica, nestled in the northwest of Slovenia, a transformative venture is taking flight—quite literally. A cutting-edge inclined flying chamber, designed to revolutionize ski jumping training, is under construction by the Swedish innovators at Inclined Labs. This €6.5 million project, spanning 800 square meters, is poised to place Slovenia at the forefront of training innovation in the world of winter sports.
This state-of-the-art facility, set to open its doors by November, represents only the second of its kind in Europe, following the resounding success of Stockholm’s pioneering model. While the chamber will primarily serve ski jumpers seeking to perfect their craft, its appeal extends to wingsuit enthusiasts and adrenaline-seeking adventurers, promising a new era in aerial sports.
The decision to establish the chamber in Žirovnica was far from arbitrary. With its enviable proximity to three premier ski jumping centers and Ljubljana Airport, the location is primed to attract elite athletes and thrill-seekers alike. The involvement of Slovenian ski-jumping legend Peter Prevc—himself intertwined with the sport’s legacy through his marriage to Jože Lavtižar’s daughter—adds an extra layer of gravitas to the project. Lavtižar, a revered figure in the ski-jumping community, underscores the chamber’s potential: “In Stockholm, one minute of flight in the inclined chamber simulates the airborne experience of ten jumps on a large hill. It’s a game-changer.”
With hourly sessions priced at €800, the chamber may seem an indulgence, yet the anticipated demand is robust. Already, Stockholm’s facility has become a magnet for top-tier ski jumping teams, and early projections suggest Žirovnica’s inclined flying chamber could recoup its investment within three years—a testament to its transformative value in the sport.
This collaboration between Inclined Labs and Slovenian partners signals not just an engineering marvel but also a deep cultural and economic investment in Slovenia’s sporting future. As the project races ahead of schedule, the world watches with bated breath for November, when the winds of innovation will truly lift off in Žirovnica.
