The many firsts of this ski season ❄️

4 Mar

It’s been a while since my last blog, a lot has been happening that’s for sure!

We arrived to our bach on Jahorina at the beginning of January 2024, 🙌 ready for a ski season! To say I was happy is an understatement! Two months of skiing ahead of me is a dream come true.

House was stocked up with food, renovations completed, seasonal ski passes purchased, simply put, the time has come to relax and enjoy the fruits of our labour, with a bit of help from Mother Nature.

Petra and Chase joined us, our cousins came from Belgrade to see us, and that made our stay more dynamic and heaps of fun.

The last time we skied here for a few weeks was in winter 2019, and we had the best time. This time we decided to spend two months. We expected January to bring heaps of snow, cold days, low temperatures and foggy conditions with a few sunny days if we were lucky. We thought February would bring stable weather, perhaps a bit more snow, and a few more sunny days. This is how it’s always been, so why would we expect anything different?!

We knew Jahorina ski center has further developed, a new gondola is now on our doorstep which is amazing. A new ski slope named after Novak Ðoković is in front of our house, we ski in and out. We always did, but now we are literally spoiled! The same ski slope is open for night skiing when there is enough snow, or when foreign politicians come for a visit and have the slope for themselves 😉. Miss Katalin Novak, Hungarian president paid us a visit, we had no clue what all the fuss was about in front of our bach, until we read the news on social media.

My Dad wouldn’t believe to hear Jahorina is now attracting foreign visitors, from Hungary, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UK, not to mention ex Yugoslavia countries. It’s nice to hear all different languages on the slopes and listen to people commenting the ski resort developments, as we sit in the new modern gondolas and enjoy the views. 🚠

Since we ski in and out, and walk everywhere, our car comes handy only when we need to get down to Pale township to top up groceries as it’s cheaper than buying it on the mountain, and that’s it!

We walk, we ski, and ski more, sometimes together, other times on our own to enjoy individual slopes preferences and pace.

We play cards and board games, read books, listen to podcasts, watch TV, have discussions on different topics, and enjoy going out to a few concerts and trying new local restaurants. We bake together almost every day and hope to lose extra calories while skiing😉.

This winter holiday season is a combo of having active time with heaps of skiing and relaxing time for books! My favourite combination, until spring decided to return way too early! More on this further down…

Skiing and Jahorina - a bit of history with a personal touch…⛷️

So, our family story states that I started to ski before I started to walk. Not sure if I can believe it but let’s imagine it is true.

Skiing was our family sport, both Mum and Dad were ski instructors. Dad was also an international ski referee. Of course, that meant I became a ski instructor in my teens, but mostly so that I could earn enough money to buy a new ski outfit every year, the most important aspect of skiing for a teenage girl with Deli accent who skied well!

Skiing dates back millennia, originating as a mode of transportation in Scandinavia and Russia. In the 19th century, it evolved into a recreational activity, gaining popularity in Europe. Alpine skiing emerged in the early 20th century, with the first ski resorts opening in the Alps. Skiing debuted in the Winter Olympics in 1924, further boosting its global recognition. Innovations like ski lifts and improved equipment in the mid-20th century fueled its accessibility. Freestyle and extreme skiing gained prominence in the latter half of the century.

Today, skiing is a widespread winter sport, celebrated for its combination of athleticism and outdoor enjoyment, however it is a very expensive sport with a worldwide decline in popularity. Annually around 3% less people choose skiing as their preferred sport. The hypothesis is that kids are preoccupied with tech gadgets, and less likely to choose an outdoor sport. That could well be true, but I am afraid to say, with the weather patterns changing, the cost of maintaining ski slopes in the warm weather is a very costly business, and if I was a betting person I would say skiing will be even more expensive in the years to come.

Despite its declining popularity and cost, skiing offers numerous health benefits, and Jahorina’s Olympic Committee Team are doing so many cool things to encourage people to ski, focusing on kids and students by gifting 1000 helmets and skies each winter. They have recently signed a contract with the Student Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, now PE students get free ski passes and in return they help clean the mountain in summer, so that our slopes are rocks free and can open with minimal snow.

The Executive Team have been awarded an international award for humanitarian efforts in promoting skiing, issued by the World Ski Federation! A pretty cool award, if you ask me!

Skiing requires dedication and commitment to learn the technique like any other sport. Many people ski using their body strength, but I can quickly spot a good skier out there and I love watching them “dance” as they ski down the slopes beautifully controlling the speed. It’s a technical skill, no questions asked!

Skiing engages major muscle groups, enhancing cardiovascular fitness and lower body strength. The constant balance and coordination required contribute to improved core strength. Skiing is also a great calorie burner! Being an outdoor activity, it exposes individuals to natural sunlight, promoting vitamin D synthesis and overall mental well-being. Additionally, the thrill and sense of accomplishment from mastering slopes can boost confidence and reduce stress.

I feel so liberated, free like a bird, and so light while skiing downhill, or conquering steep slopes with minimal effort and loads of technique, for me it is an incredible feeling, it really is, and I LOVE IT 🥰!

Skiing on Jahorina

Jahorina mountain, located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has a rich skiing history.

Austrian Hungarians built the first hunting lodge in 1878. The big step towards the skiing sport was made on 4 April 1905, when the club “Prijatelji Prirode” (Nature Friends) was established in Sarajevo.

In 1912 the first forestry railway between Pale and Poljice was built to transport logs from Jahorina. This railway later became the main transportation route for the very first ski enthusiasts visiting the mountain. Unfortunately, the First World War stopped further development.

The first hunters lodge was destroyed in fire. In 1923 Prijatelji Prirode club members brought first skis to Jahorina. The same year the first accommodation building called Šator was built with 70 beds.

In 1933 the first ski club called “Ski Club Sarajevo” was established in Sarajevo. This club promoted the benefits of skiing in the region till 1941, when all buildings got destroyed during the Second World War.

Post the Second World War a number of volunteers worked very hard giving their time, experience and expertise to rebuild war destroyed buildings. Slowly, but surely a number of accommodation buildings were rebuilt including the legendary hotel Jahorina.

The first chairlift opened on 29 November 1952, named after a super cool guy called Cvijan who I remember very well. It was one seater, each chair was painted in a different colour and us kids would play a game of choosing which chair to jump on based on colours! Cvijan was so good to us and always allowed us to simply be kids. A super cool guy and a true Jahorina’s legend.

In the late 1950s, Jahorina became one of Yugoslavia's prominent skiing destinations, attracting enthusiasts from the region.

My Dad was a well known ski enthusiast who dedicated all his adult life to discovery, exploration, strategic planning and development of the ski resort here, and the promotion of skiing as a healthy sport. He was the man behind Cvijan’s chairlift strategic positioning, and believe it or not today a two seater chairlift follows the same path!

Dad also held a strong view believing that skiing is a family sport, and if Mums skied, the probability of kids skiing was significantly higher. He thought so many generations of people to ski, and even today when I ski with my family, friends or relatives I can easily spot “Dad Savo’s” style and his many pupils conquering the slopes!

Winter Olympic Games 1984

The 1984 Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo were a significant event. They marked the first time the Winter Olympics were held in a socialist country, and the country where Slovak language was spoken. Sarajevo, then part of Yugoslavia, showcased cultural diversity and left a lasting impact on the region.

Jahorina, Bjelašnica, Igman and Trebević mountains surrounding Sarajevo were chosen for different disciplines during the 1984 Winter Olympic Games, all showcasing both the sporting prowess and the scenic beauty of the region.

Bojan Križaj, Jure Franko and Matea Svet were Slovenian alpine skiers, who gained attention during the 1984 Winter Olympics.

Vučko was the official mascot of the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Vučko was a wolf, chosen to represent the region's wildlife and convey the spirit of the Games. The name "Vučko" is derived from the Serbo-Croatian word "vuk," meaning wolf. The mascot played a symbolic role in promoting the cultural and natural aspects of Yugoslavia during the Winter Olympics.

Unfortunately, the Bosnian War in the early 1990s disrupted the region, impacting Jahorina's tourism. Since the conflict's ending, efforts have been made to revive the area's ski infrastructure. Today, Jahorina is gradually reclaiming its status as a popular skiing destination, blending historical significance with modern recreational offerings.

It just happened to be that during our stay we celebrated 40 years since the Winter Olympic Games took place, with heaps of activities and entertainment, and for me this has been an emotional ride down the memory lane remembering my days at the Games!

And guess what?!

A new idea has been officially announced - a plan to nominate Jahorina together with a few regional mountains for the next Youth’s Winter Olympic Games promoting the unity of the region! I wish them all the very best and can’t wait to see what happens next 👏.

The many firsts of this ski season, and there are way to many!!!

Snow weather forecast talks about expected millimeters of fresh snow, not meters!

It snowed nicely 4 times, but due to high temperatures the snow melted in a few days!

We have seen more sunny days than I have in my lifetime here!

We would wake up, look through the window and complain - it’s sunny again!

We have skied on 35cm of natural snow boosted by relentless efforts of the artificial snow factory workers covering cca 70% of slopes!

We have had a handful of cold days with negative temperatures!

We have used ski goggles with sun lenses for 2 months, incredible! Snow and fog lenses stayed in a box the entire ski season!

We have sat outside on the deck enjoying the home made baking in the middle of the winter season!

We have skied in jumpers in February!

We have skied in between rocks, ice, fresh natural snow and artificial snow, all on one and the same ski slope!

We have seen little sparrows on our deck, horses wondering around, and apparently a bear was spotted by tourists!

We have learnt how to ski on artificial snow, luckily it is the same technique, but definitely more legwork required!

We had to waterproof our waterproofed winter snow shoes to keep our feet dry while walking on water ankle deep!

Finally, we left the house carrying suitcases in a wheelbarrow instead of a snowmobile!

In summary, 2024 winter has been the warmest winter in Europe in the last 30+ years. Ski resorts adapt to the warming climate and make their own snow when Mother Nature doesn’t.

Jahorina Olympic Center Team have built three lakes and are building two more to battle unpredictable weather patterns. It is incredible to witness this, and even more frightening is seeing these lakes run out of water at the end of January?!

I wonder how much effort, electricity and water is needed to maintain slopes and keep the Ski Centre open? It is a mystery to me, but to make profit the cost of ski passes can only go up in the future years! That said, hats down to the team! They have worked relentlessly around the clock to make the slopes ready each day, and for a growing tourist numbers! Even when I think this is it and the slopes should close, they prove me wrong!

The time spent on Jahorina marks the last leg of our adventures, this time around!

Yes, this time around, as we have every intention to continue to live the life in between the two continents while we are still young, in good health, active, mobile and full of life. 😊

We are now counting sleeps to our return to NZ. We leave Europe on the 5th of March, with an exciting new adventure ahead of us! We are flying to NZ with our friends from Split who are coming for a visit for the very first time. After 30 years of promising and planning, we are making this mutual dream come true! We are super stoked and excited to travel together throughout beautiful Aotearoa to show them all the beauty NZ has on offer.

So yes, we come home after 10 months of travelling, only to travel again for a month. We have booked amazing NZ trip, across both islands and can’t wait to show them everything, from Cape Reinga to Bluff!

Reflection

When I decided to take a career break a number of my colleagues said that I would return home to NZ feeling different, thinking differently about the life, work, type of work I’d like to do, the need to work, and our future. I listened to all these stories nodding and thinking to myself, no way, that won’t happen to us! We will enjoy our trip and simply come back home, back to work, back to our NZ friends, back to IAG NZ, and a well oiled machine of everyday routine - eat, work, sleep, and repeat will kick in.

Well, never say never!

Sitting here today, I think my colleagues might have been right. I find myself often wondering about what’s next, and although answers change depending on the mood, I see a big globe turning around inviting us to maximize the years ahead of us by doing more often things we love and enjoy, and in our case that means more travel and more adventures to look forward to. 🥰

Thank you for being such a great audience, for your interest in our travels and your comments. Throughout this journey I have uncovered a new passion and this passion for writing travel blogs will certainly carry on.

Enjoy the bluebird days photos in our winter paradise and wish us safe travels back to NZ. ✈️🚗🏡

Jahorina Photo Album