In the forests of Slovenia's Pokljuka plateau, winter sports athletes are training on real snow at a time when many of their European counterparts are forced to rely on glaciers or indoor facilities. 

For Slovenia's national biathlon team, the rare availability of reliable snow has become a competitive advantage — and a carefully managed one — as climate change continues to disrupt winter sports across the continent.

After several disappointing seasons marked by poor snowfall, winter arrived on time this year in Pokljuka, Slovenia's most important biathlon center. Athletes preparing for the upcoming Winter Olympics in neighboring Italy have been training on ski tracks and shooting ranges surrounded by alpine scenery. But the snow beneath their skis is not entirely natural.

The surface covering the five-kilometer biathlon track was produced long before winter began. According to Janez Ožbolt, head of Slovenia's biathlon teams, the process starts a year in advance. 

"This is where the snow is made on these large piles, deposits. Those are then covered with forest cut-outs. Then we store it over the summer, and in the beginning of the winter, this snow is spread along the ski track," he said.

Seven snow cannons operate around the clock in Pokljuka, producing up to 20,000 tonnes of artificial snow each winter. Between 5,000 and 8,000 tonnes melt during the warmer months, but the remaining snow is enough to guarantee consistent training conditions throughout the season. The system allows competitions and training to begin as early as November and extend until March.

The investment, however, comes at a cost. Tomaž Rogelj, director of Center Pokljuka, acknowledged the financial burden but said it is unavoidable. 

"Yes, it is expensive. But, if you want to be sure that there are ski tracks, we have to have it. That's something you have to do. That enables us to start the season in November, and it lasts until March. Without this artificial snow, we would not have such a long season for winter sports," Rogelj explained.

For the athletes, the effort is paying off. Slovenia's biathlon head coach Janez Marič said the conditions remain strong despite some limitations. "Pokljuka is definitely good, the conditions are good, although this year the track is shorter. And, they are now preparing the snow for next year," he said.

As climate change reshapes winter sports worldwide, Slovenia's approach in Pokljuka highlights how adaptation and long-term planning are becoming as crucial as athletic talent itself.