Many slovenians see the mountains as a place that should be accessible for everyone, from the champion skiers to the ones just starting out. Go on, simona. You can do it. And from the people alone on a mountaintop. This is probably the highest bedroom in all of slovenia. To the teams of champion snow builders. One hour . One hour. Yes. We have to hurry up. Im exploring the countrys outdoor playgrounds to find out more about the relationship between the slovenians and their snow. Ive arrived in the nick of time. After weeks of mild weather, the slovenian mountains have just seen theirfirst big dump of snow this winter. Its brought families and School Groups out in force, and im keen to get out there and join them. This is kranjska gora, the countrys oldest and, arguably, best known resort and today, the mountainside looks so inviting. Hello. Hi there. Hi. 0k. Im all yours. Hi. Lets get your boots. Whats your shoe size . Normally would be a 41 but i might go with a slightly bigger, 42, just for comfort. 0k. So, this is the wider one. This is the narrower one. You can try one on and see which one fits better. Yeah, lets do it. Ive been skiing for almost 30 years, which sounds like a really long time, but its just something that weve always done together as a family. But its my first time skiing here in slovenia and its nice out here. The slopes look pretty gentle. Theres a really chill vibe, you know . And one thing that im definitely noticing is that its a lot cheaper than many of the other places ive skied in. 0k. Your skis are all set. And thats no secret. In recent decades, cut price resorts in countries like bulgaria and slovenia have been turning heads for people like me looking for a bargain. Awesome. Yeah, fits well. Perfect. Even if that means sacrificing the variety and epic scale thats made the traditional resorts so popular. A full day adult ticket. 45. Wow. And thats still almost half the price of what you would pay in, like, the three valleys in france. Yeah . Yeah. Half the price. Yeah, but probably they have a lot more of ski slopes. Here, its like. Here, its 13 different slopes. And who are the people that come in . Are they slovenians . Are they foreigners usually . Hmm. It used to be most mostly slovenians but now, we get a lot of italians. 0k. People from uk coming as well. So, why would italians come here . Theyve got the dolomites, theyve got the alps. Yeah, thats true. Because its cheaper here. Oh, yeah . Yeah. Laughter so, like thea said, a ticket here is 45 euros a day. That compares to 75 a day in the three valleys, frances biggest ski area. But it gets worse. In canada, a Lift Pass At Whistler will cost you more than 180 a day thats four times as much. And thats before accommodation, food and drink. Can i please get one adult day pass . It can all leave you with the feeling that in some parts of the world, the sport is only for the rich. So, heres an interesting titbit. In slovenia, Access To Sport is actually seen as so important that the government says its a fundamental right for every person. Its almost as if it was baked into the countrys dna. As a result, the ski industry receives public money. The states provided 55 Million Euros this season, refurbishing nine resorts, updating things like cable cars and chairlifts. Hey, alenka. 0h, hi. Hey. How are you . Good. Alenka dovzan grew up not far from here. She won bronze at the lillehammer Winter Olympics in 1994. It was slovenias first Olympic Medal as an independent nation, following the break up of yugoslavia three years before. Whats the skiing like here in slovenia, generally . Especially kranjska gora, i like really much because it slopes directly from the village. Thats really good, especially for the families. From november till march, we have a lot of snow. And that was playground for kids, you know, and thats why so many kids, and now so many people, ski in slovenia. Shall we go for a run . Good luck. Thanks. You, too. 0k. Lets go. Its really pretty. You can have a lot of fun here. Nice, huh . Yeah. Wow. Look at her go. Alenka was born into the authoritarian socialist regime of marshal tito, which held yugoslavia together following the end of the Second World War a system that prized sport and athleticism as a way of celebrating the country on the world stage. Wow. I get to ski with an olympic skier. Laughs. And shes letting me go first. Come on im waiting for you. Woo laughter in that time, it was really good because everybody do everything if you want. Because all these ski lifts, i think we have in yugoslavia a lot because factories, they do that for workers and families, for workers that was not being in programme like for tourism. And that now, it stay from that time. Right. So, it used to be something that local workers were given access to. Yes. Rather than tourists. Yes. That was privilege for workers. Right. 0k. Yes. And that spirit is still here. Yes. Yes, for sure. Because you need to know all these competitors, which weve been. Nobody come from rich families. We are from normal workers� family. And thats from coming from socialism. The season runs from december to march with the best of the snow usually in february. There are 11 other mountain resorts, all within a short drive of kranjska gora. Try vogel to escape the crowds, or maribor if youre after restaurants and nightlife. Planica is normally the home of slovenias ski jumpers, but today, something a little more down to earth is under way. Music plays this is world snow day. Its where families who cant normally afford things like ski rentals and lift passes get free access to all kinds of Outdoor Activities. And as you can probably hearfrom the europop, its quite the party. Hello. Hi. Nice to meet you. Franz has six children and finds the cost of lessons for them all a bit of a stretch. In addition, his daughter simona has Down Syndrome and would need specialist coaching, so events like this allow them a taster without the expense. Laughter go on, simona you can do it and does she enjoy skiing . Yeah, enjoy. Yeah hey, simona, do you like it . Yes. Yes . how difficult do you think it is to access these kinds of Outdoor Activities . 0k. Ready for a bit of adrenaline . Give a little push . All right, lets go it was really great to see simona have so much fun today and, you know, the outdoors belong to everyone and to see that in action here in slovenia is really inspiring. The landscape here is beautiful and it attracts around a million hikers and climbers every year. But its also remote and can be dangerous in the winter. Huts like these can be a lifeline for people out in the mountains. Hey. Hello. Hows it going . All good, yeah. Wow. So nice in here. Thank you. Are you living here right now . I do, yes. Really . Full time. Do you spend the whole winter up here . We do. Do you ever get snowed in . Yeah. Completely . We do, sometimes. 0k. We still have to, like, wait to get rescued out. Whats the longest that youve been snowed in here for . Probably a month. No way yeah. How did that feel . I mean, its a bit like cut off, you know, but its also. Its pretty nice in the end. Yeah . Yeah, it feels good. Nice. Theres about 170 huts, bivouacs and shelters scattered all across slovenia and, you know, theyre pretty cheap you can stay in one for about 20 to 30 euros. Its very simple just a bed and maybe a bite to eat. Most of these huts close for the winter, but some dont. And for those that dont have road access, bringing in supplies anything from food to water and fuel can be quite the challenge. Which is where the military comes in. Today, lieutenant zupancic is off on a mission to resupply one of the huts that are cut off and hes agreed to let me go with him. So, today, what were bringing is basic supplies. And, i mean, it looks beautiful and sunny here today but what are the conditions like up in the mountains . So, do you think were safe . We are safe. Laughs the most problematic hut is called kredarica, which is used chiefly by climbers attempting slovenias highest peak, mount triglav. This is slovenias highest hut, 4. 5 hours� walk from the closest road. In the winter, there arent many visitors but its staffed all year round by two hardy meteorologists. So, this is it. This is the famous hut. It is. Now, youre very lucky because its very, very hot. Oh, its nice. Wonderful. Wow. So, can you show me around here a little bit . This is your office . This is our office, our living room. Yeah. And a little tv. Do you get a lot of visitors up here . What is the most difficult thing about being here . So, this is actually the highest bedroom in all of slovenia . Yeah, yeah. So, youve got the luxury penthouse on top of the nation. Yeah. And and few centimetres above my head is outside, about sometimes 20 20 or 40 degrees. Wow. So, i have to be. Were going to get back in the chopper. We have to go . Yeah. 0k. Weve only got a little bit of time here but the weather seems to be changing, which means that this is our only time to leave, right . Guys, we really have to go so, we had to really quickly get out of the mountain hut because the wind is changing, its picking up, so, if we dont go now, we could be stuck. As well as resupplying huts like kredarica, the Helicopter Crew also finds itself getting involved with Search And Rescue missions. They say increasing numbers of people go missing in the hills every year. Theyre being called out much more regularly. You know, during a time like this in the winter, would you advise people not to go into the mountains at all . Exactly, exactly. I wouldnt recommend, if youre not trained properly, to go in the mountains. What a day. You know, these mountains out here are a true hiker� s paradise in the summer but in winter, its a completely different story. So, today, ifeel like i got a little glimpse into what it actually takes to keep the mountain hut system here running and being out there, you know, seeing the resupply, seeing how the rescue teams work, it really feels like a special ops mission. Were back on the ground and heading east now into a part of the mountains less visited by tourists. Were in carpathia, an area rich in folktales and tradition. So, theres a legendary king here, king matjaz, who was said to be sleeping in a cave somewhere beneath these hills. According to local legend, once his beard grows so long that it encircles his chamber seven or nine times, depending on the version of the legend you believe, he will wake up. And with that, he will bring in a new era of prosperity for the people here. Once a year, the little town of Crna Na Koroskem comes alive with a competition in honour of king matjaz. Teams from all over the region come here with one aim in mind build the biggest and best snow castle in just one day. Hey, guys good morning ive been invited tojoin the Student Work Brigade from the nearby university of maribor. Theyve won awards three times in the past and are hoping for a repeat victory. Theyre led by artist vlado vucic. So, whats the plan . We will start with Making Castle in the centre and then go out, ok . How tall is the castle . I. 5m. This is 2. 5m. I think thats that start really low. Oh, really . Our firstjob is very simple go and get as much snow as we can. You need sharp elbows and strong arms. Are you ready . Come here help we need help dont want to cut off your fingers. Ah, nice. With this tool, you can. Ah. Makea shape. 0k. Lets see what people are building. Wow that looks amazing but this. Its not yet there. Its a work in progress. This is work in progress, yes. You know, the details at the end, i would say its quite hard to work with small details because its very warm and the snow is like butter, so its melting all the time. It looked better before but you see now, it looks somehow soft. Wow. This one looks pretty good. I mean, they built, like, an entire medieval town with loads of towers and a whole castle. Yeah, i reckon this this one could win. Oh, and it seems like this is an all female team. And we are lace bobbin lace makers. Oh, lace makers. Yeah, with bobbins. And are you hoping to win . We already win twice. You won twice already . yes last year and three years ago. 0h. Yeah. So, you are the experts, really. Yeah, we are we are the champions oh, my god. Amazing. Well, it looks beautiful. It looks massive. Its not finished yet, but. Ok. Amazing. I wish you luck. Thank you. But i also hope that my team wins, so. Its beautiful also, yeah. But its falling apart. Yeah because of sun. The sun is on everybody� s minds. From about 10am, it appears above the valley and bathes the entire competition ground in light and heat. Some coffee for you. Thank you. Oh, sorry. We won. Yes. Hows it going . Sun is tricky. Whats happened . The sun. Yeah. Makes snow melt. Yes, it does speaks slovenian. Oh, my god its just one hour left. One hour . one hour, yes. We have to hurry up so, the castle is looking pretty great. Theres houses all around. Its beautiful and tall. I think, architecturally speaking, it is the most risky and Courageous Castle anyone� s built. But this concerns me a lot that tower. Were Playing With Fire on top of a very precarious snow structure. And were done. All we have to do now is wait for thejudging. People get to cast their votes on which one they like the best. The results are about to come in. Speaks slovenian ohh not the first, not the second, not the third. Its ok. Well, to me, you guys were the best team. Oh, thank you how do you feel . Next time, we come again. Yep. And we attack first place again. Yes, thats the spirit slovenian rap music plays well, we didnt win not this time but i have a feeling, like, thats not what today was actually all about. Because as the day went on, ijust had a sense that people were here to really enjoyjust being outside, you know, loving the weather and playing in the snow. And, honestly, thats kind of been my general impression of slovenia people being welcomed, in the outdoors, whoever they are. Hello. Its been quite a cold day, hasnt it . Its a lot of cloud, frequent showers. We had that snow earlier on across parts of england and wales, but the skies are starting to clear across some parts of the country. A touch of frost on the way, some fog, too, but showers never too far away in Northern England and scotland. Lets start with the air mass saturday evening the blue colours indicating the relatively cold air over us and that will be in place in the short term. If we look at the satellite picture, the recent snapshot here, these rugged, swirling Cloud Structures across england and wales. Same in scotland, too these are shower clouds. But in between these gaps in the clouds will become bigger through the course of this evening. But look at that, 9pm, two degrees in some spots in the midlands. Still some wet weather around merseyside southern scotland. But notice this persistent rain moving into central and Eastern Scotland. A bit of snow across the mountains there. But to the south of that, those Skies Clearing and the temperatures early on sunday morning, even in some city centres as far south as the south coast of england could be around freezing or below. So certainly a chilly start to sunday on the way. Now, heres the weather map for sunday. Weather fronts in the north sea and generally to the north of scotland. And theres another one coming our way, but were sort of in between weather systems. That also implies its going to be a slightly brighter day on sunday. Remember, a chilly start, a frost in places, but a fog, too. And then through the day, generally bright or sunny skies, i think out towards the south and the west, perhaps a bit more cloud around east anglia, the southeast, maybe the lincolnshire coastline with that Weather Front close by. But overall a brighter day for most of us. And as a result, its going to feel a little bit, lets say, less cold. Now into monday morning. Another Weather Front moves into south western and western parts of the uk. So it moves across ireland here some some some Rain Strengthening winds too, but it tends to kind of stall out towards the west during the day. So that does mean that many central and eastern areas certainly Eastern Scotland should have a bright, if not sunny day, for example, around aberdeenshire. How about the outlook for the week ahead . A bit of a mixed bag, but the temperatures Holding Around double figures, i think, across most parts of the uk. Thats it. Bye. Live from london. This is bbc news. Us Military Planes have begun dropping aid into gaza after President Biden pledged to do so on friday. The World Health Organization condemns an israeli air strike near a hospital in rafah that killed at least 13 people. Us Military Planes have begun dropping aid into gaza after President Biden pledged to do so on friday. And rishi sunak says islamist and far right extremists are two sides of the same coin who loathe britain. Hello, im samantha simonds. We begin with the conflict in gaza. The head of the World Health Organization has described an israeli air strike near a hospital in rafah that killed at least 13 people as unspeakable. He posted on x. Reports that tents sheltering displaced people in rafah were bombed reportedly killing 11 people and injuring 50, including children are outrageous and unspeakable. Among those killed are two health workers. Health workers and civilians are not a target, and must be
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