INVESTOR SECURED FOR NEW KANIN GONDOLA, CONTRACT SIGNING EXPECTED BY AUGUST

In a major breakthrough for cross-border winter tourism in the Julian Alps, the Municipality of Bovec has identified a strategic private investor to finance and construct a new gondola lift for the Kanin ski resort.

The formal contract for the flagship infrastructure project is scheduled to be finalized and signed by August 2026, marking a decisive step toward reopening Slovenia’s highest-altitude ski destination.

Reviving Slovenia's Highest Peak Resort

Sitting at 2,293 meters above sea level near the Italian border, Kanin has remained out of service since autumn 2023, when regulatory inspections revealed critical maintenance issues on the aging circular cableway.

The closure stalled the resort's key attraction—its seamless, 30-kilometer linked ski area with Sella Nevea, Italy—and left local hospitality and mountain tourism stakeholders eagerly awaiting a resolution.

To resolve the impasse, Bovec authorities launched a public tender offering an equity stake in operating company Sončni Kanin d.o.o. The process required potential partners to commit a minimum baseline investment of €25 million, structured as:

• €2.5 Million: Initial equity recapitalization to launch immediate operations and design work.

• €22.5 Million: Long-term capital commitment to secure construction financing and future infrastructure maintenance.

A Multi-Phase €100 Million Master Plan

The new gondola represents the centerpiece of an ambitious, comprehensive master plan expected to exceed €100 million in total investment.

Key elements of the redevelopment include:

• Modernized Cableway: Demolition and complete replacement of the historic main ropeway connecting Bovec (436 m) to the high-mountain plateau.

• Terrain Expansion: Expanding the current skiable terrain from 48.3 hectares by an additional 80 hectares.

• Facility Upgrades: Construction of a subterranean parking facility in Bovec and complete renovation of the high-altitude Prestreljenik restaurant.

Funding for the remaining development costs will be supported by public co-financing from the Slovenian central government, which previously committed to backing up to 80% of eligible infrastructure expenses for national alpine resorts.

Rebuilding the Cross-Border Link with Sella Nevea

The upcoming signing in August will officially pave the way for construction, with initial site preparation set to begin shortly after the agreement is executed.

Restoring the cableway is vital for the region, re-establishing the transboundary ski domain with Friuli Venezia Giulia in Italy and positioning the Bovec–Sella Nevea complex for long-term year-round operations.