In the forested heights near Maribor, northeastern Slovenia’s Pohorje range is shedding its ski-only image.
Warmer winters, driven by climate change, have forced local tourism providers to adapt — and the strategy is paying off.
In the first half of 2025, arrivals climbed to 192,000, up 5% on last year, with over two-thirds of visitors coming from abroad, particularly Croatia, Germany, Austria and Hungary.
New draws include “Pohorje Trio” — a cable car ascent, tricycle descent, and adrenaline-fuelled ride on the PohorJet alpine coaster — complementing the traditional hiking trails and wellness retreats.
Overnight stays topped 500,000, with visitors staying longer, from 2.4 to 2.6 days.
Yet, despite the rise, Pohorje remains far from the crowded Alpine resorts.
As Andrej Grmovšek of the Regional Park Pohorje warned in May, preserving its natural heritage is key to its future allure.
Nearby Maribor is also riding the wave, seeing a 9% increase in overnight stays, mostly from international guests.
