The changing form of mountaineering in Slovenia

Mountaineering is one of the most popular mass recreational and tourist activities in Slovenia. It takes place in both individual and organized forms. Hikers and mountaineers are organized in more than 250 mountaineering clubs which are linked together through the Alpine (Mountaineering) Association of Slovenia. This association was established in 1893. Its membership increased very quickly during the socialist period, especially from 1960 to 1980.  A correlation between the spread of industry and an increase in organized mountaineering can be found during this period, when the political system encouraged the activities of mountaineering clubs. Many mountaineering activities were organized within the framework of the public school system. This resulted in an increase in the number of mountaineering clubs and their members. In some municipalities more than 20% of the population were included in such clubs. Large changes took place after the declaration of Slovenia's independence in 1991 and the reintroduction of a market economy system. Organized forms of mountaineering were in many ways replaced by individual forms. The personal standard of living of the population increased, but the number of members in the Alpine Association of Slovenia decreased from more than 100,000 to 52,000. The number of visitors to the mountains, however, did not decrease to such an extent. It was only the form of mountaineering activity that changed.