At least once a year I need to come back to the Tatras on touring skis. In 2025 we managed it twice within a few weeks.
At the end of January we slept at Zbojnícka hut and spent a big day crossing the peaks around Veľká and Malá Studená dolina. In mid-February we returned with the older Ski Loko crew. Three days, three completely different Tatras chapters and exactly the energy that has turned this into a tradition over the years.
Zbojnícka, Svišťový, Priečne and Sedielko
Zbojnícka hut lies in Veľká Studená dolina at about 1,960 metres. We slept there and in the morning set off with Somor on a long circuit. The weather was perfect: sun, calm conditions and a day that turned out even better than we expected.
A big day from Zbojnícka
We started by climbing Svišťový štít. It was exactly the kind of morning when you look around and start feeling it would be a shame to stop after one peak.
On the way another ski tourer joined us. He was unsure about the avalanche situation and did not feel comfortable crossing Priečne sedlo alone, so he continued with us.
We crossed Priečne sedlo above Téryho hut. Téryho hut sits in the upper part of Malá Studená dolina at 2,015 metres and Priečne sedlo is the natural connection between the two Studená valleys. In winter this is serious alpine terrain, not a hiking stroll.
From there we continued to Sedielko. The sun stayed with us, the conditions held and there was no need to force anything. From Sedielko it was just a short stop at the hut and then the descents down into the valley.
A warm-up the other guests would rather not see
In mid-February we came back. This time with the older Ski Loko kids. Kids who are long since adults, although the Tatras make it obvious very quickly that some things never change.
Friday has its traditional script: Skalnaté pleso and a warm-up. Chasing each other in ungroomed terrain, jumping over bumps, fallen trees and roots, dwarf pine under the cable car. Copying Igáč and Somor’s line at speed and doing things that are probably better kept out of sight of the average resort visitor.
At lunch Somor finished all the duck legs left by the kids. Apparently excellent fuel, because a little later he needed every bit of it.
Tomáško fell in the French gully on icy terrain. Without skis he picked up enormous speed. Somor had enough presence of mind and enough legs to accelerate after him, get below him and gradually stop him with his skis set hard on edge. Tomáš came away with a bruise across half his backside. Considering how it looked in the first seconds, that was a very good result.
Meanwhile Boba was starring in Kartárik. Her explanation was simple: “I didn’t know where to go, so I went straight.” We could only watch the cartwheels: head, leg, head, with metre-long bounces in between.
At the end of the day we decided to climb towards Lomnický štít. We did not reach the top. About 150 vertical metres below the summit we turned around and skied the Filmársky gully to Zamkovský hut. A well-earned beer.
Patria, Žabie plesá and Volia veža
Saturday was pure ski touring. Beautiful weather, Štrbské pleso and then towards Patria. Patria is 2,203 metres high and from Štrbské pleso it always looks as if it is within easy reach. It is not.
We continued past the Žabie lakes all the way towards Volia veža. A photo, two, three, and then the girls and I dropped from Volovcovo sedlo towards the Hincové lakes and slowly headed home.
Trgina suggested the route. He suggested well.
Satanova dolinka and Kôprovský štít
On Sunday we left Štrbské pleso for Popradské pleso and continued through Satanova dolinka below Kôprová veža. Renátka dug deep and came with us.
Satanova dolinka is a beautiful piece of terrain. From the outside the gully looks very steep, but it can be skied on either side. Then there was still a little more climbing towards Kôprovský štít.
Kôprovský štít is 2,363 metres high. A few photos on top, hugs, and then another beautiful descent into Hlinská dolina. All that remained was the return via Kôprová veža and the journey home.
It is not only about the mountains
Over the years these trips have become a tradition. At least once a year we meet in the Tatras, take the skins, stay for a long weekend and spend time together in the mountains. People who once came to Ski Loko as children are adults today. Some ski faster than we do, some still come up with the same stupid ideas as before, and all of us can still meet on one mountain.
That may be the best part: the club does not become only a memory of childhood training. The people remain, the shared stories remain and there is always a reason to put the skins on again next year.