The combined number of days when the resorts were operating this winter reached 2,351, a 13% increase on the 2016/2017 season.

The president of the Association of Slovenian Ski Lift Operators Ernest Kovač told the press in Ljubljana that the average price of a skiing ticket had stood at around 14 euros.

He pointed out that the resorts were still operating well below capacity. The occupancy rate at hotels for instance stood at 37% in January. "We still have a lot of room."

The positive news is that the financial results are improving. "All of our centres operated in the black in 2017," Kovač said.

The EBITDA margin stood at between 30% and 40% at the largest centres, he explained, while noting the resorts were also making increasing use of the summer season.

Slovenian skiing slopes remain very safe. Only one in 2,300 skiers was involved in events that required the intervention of rescue teams.