Slovenia enters each new year especially actively, since numerous World Cup and international competitions and championships, primarily connected to winter sports, take place here. This year, Slovenia will be especially characterized by Maribor and the European Capital of Culture; however, a line of traditional sports events still remains… Among the most important is surely the Maribor Alpine Ski World Cup - Zlata lisica (the Golden Fox).

THE 48TH GOLDEN FOX, THE ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP, FEMALE SLALOM AND GIAN SLALOM
(Pohorje in Maribor, January 21&22, 2012)

On January 21&22, 2012, the Pohorje venue in Maribor will again host the already legendary international Ski World Cup for women – Zlata lisica, which has been organized annually on Pohorje since 1964. The excitement during the competition of the best slalom and giant slalom contestants captures each of the 20,000 visitors who come to the Snow stadium under Pohorje; moreover, the vicinity of Maribor only additionally contributes to the attractiveness of the competition for locals and other visitors.

THE TELEMARK WORLD CUP
(January 21-23, 2012, Bohinj)

The Telemark World Cup will again take place in Bohinj! On January 22&23, the best will again meet in Bohinj (Srednja vas, Senožeta ski slope), where two races for the Sprint World Cup will take place. The telemark skiers abide by the slogan “calm your thoughts – kick back your heels.” The curves are done in the typical “telemark” position; in this way, nature can be felt in a unique way. This skiing technique, which was developed in Norway, has become popular in Slovenia over the last decade, primarily due to the girls and boys united in the first Slovenian Telemark Club.

SLOVENIA OPEN – INTERNATIONAL TABLE-TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP OF SLOVENIA
(January 25-29, 2012, Velenje)

Velenje will host the 13th International table-tennis championship Slovenia open, one of the seventeen elite tournaments of the Pro Tour series. Table-tennis experts say that top-level table-tennis in Velenje has already strongly spoiled them. Namely, the organization of the tournament has been on an extremely high level, but it still also progresses every year. This year, new features look promising.

5TH INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FESTIVAL IN BLED
(February 3-5, Bled)

The Balloon Club, Slovenian Skywalkersm, Bled municipality and Bled Tourism will organize the 5th International Balloon Festival in Bled. Ballooners will fly over the heart of the Julian Alps with starts in beatiful valleys of the Alps. Fourteen teams from five countries will participate in the festival.

51ST VITRANC CHAMPIONSHIP – THE ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP, MALE SLALOM AND GIAN SLALOM
(March 9-11, 2012, Kranjska Gora)

Kranjska Gora obtained its great reputation as a ski center through World Cup alpine skiing races. Every winter at the steep slopes of the competition polygon below Vitranc, the two most important races in World Cup alpine skiing take place �’ men`s slalom and giant slalom.

PLANICA WORLD CUP SKI JUMPING FINAL
(March 15-18, 2012, Planica)

Planica is most famous for having the biggest ski flying jump in the world, at which almost every year, some new record is broken. It was at Planica that someone on skis first jumped more than 100 m, way back in 1934, and later, in 1994, it was the venue for the first flight over 200 m. Each year, the Planica organizers prepare the jump for new and surprising results.

Let`s not forget the main business event in January. From January 18-19, the 4th Conventa will take place – congress crossroads in Southeast Europe.