Curling

The ice track is available from June until the end of autumn. It is necessary to make a reservation in advance.

Curling is an excellent activity for private groups and team-building events. Please contact us and we will arrange a suitable time slot for your group.

A game of curling lasts approximately 60 minutes.

Upon arrival in Planica, please first report to the reception desk in the main building (the round building opposite the ski flying hill), where you will receive initial information. Then proceed to the underground snow tunnel, where professional curling players will be waiting for you.

We recommend arriving in Planica at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.

Curling sessions are led by experienced, professional players from the Slovenian Curling Association, so advance booking is required. You can make a reservation by phone or email. We will work with you to arrange a suitable date and time for your curling session.

Like every sport, curling requires specialized equipment that makes the game possible. Curling is played on an ice sheet measuring 45.7 meters in length and 5 meters in width. At each end of the sheet are concentric circles, known as the “house,” which serve as the target area where players aim to place their stones.

The most essential piece of equipment in curling is the stone. Curling stones are approximately 12 centimeters high and weigh around 20 kilograms. They are made from a special type of Scottish granite sourced exclusively from Ailsa Craig. Each stone has a plastic handle attached to the top, which players hold while delivering the stone.

A unique feature of curling stones is that they glide on a narrow circular running band that is only about 2 millimeters wide. The rest of the stone does not come into contact with the ice. Stones are numbered, and at world championships and the Olympic Games they are equipped with sensors that help detect violations related to late release of the stone.

Curling stones are owned by curling associations or clubs, and a full game requires a set of 16 stones.

A curling match is played between two opposing teams, each consisting of four players. The teams take turns delivering stones, with each player throwing two stones, making a total of 16 stones in play – eight per team, distinguished by two different colors.

Players deliver stones from one end of the ice sheet, where the starting block is located, toward the opposite end, where the “house” (the target area marked with concentric circles) is situated. For a stone to remain in play, it must cross the hog line near the house; otherwise, it is removed from the ice.

The game proceeds as follows: the team captain (skip) selects the type of shot and signals it to the player delivering the stone. The player pushes off from the starting block, releases the stone before the near hog line, and two sweepers then accompany the stone, sweeping the ice in front of it when necessary. The skip remains in the house, directing play and monitoring the situation. Once the stone comes to rest, the opposing team takes its turn. The non-throwing team waits respectfully to the side.

After both teams have delivered all eight stones, the score is calculated, the end is completed, and the teams switch ends for the next round. The team with the stone closest to the center of the house scores points. A team earns one point for each stone that is closer to the center than the opponent’s nearest stone.

A match consists of eight or ten ends. The team with the highest total score at the end of the match is declared the winner.

Due to its strategic nature, curling is often referred to as “chess on ice.” There are four basic types of shots, each with several variations, and the skip must anticipate multiple moves ahead and continually adapt the team’s strategy accordingly.

You do not need to bring anything except warm sportswear, a positive attitude, and a little enthusiasm! 🙂

The snow tunnel maintains true winter conditions, so warm clothing and suitable winter footwear are highly recommended. A hat and gloves can also make your experience more comfortable.

All other equipment is provided. Brooms and sliders (special shoe attachments that allow you to glide on the ice) are available for use at the venue, while the curling stones are owned by the clubs and made available to all participants.

Upon your arrival, experienced players from the Curling Association of Slovenia will be happy to welcome you, explain the basics of the game, and demonstrate everything you need to know to get started with curling.

Curling may not be as physically demanding as athletics, but it can still provide a surprisingly good workout.

When delivering a stone, players must maintain a balanced sliding position that relies heavily on core strength as well as the muscles in the legs. During delivery practice, players may spend up to two hours working solely on their slide, engaging a large portion of the body’s muscles.

The most physically demanding aspect of curling, however, is sweeping. When players sweep vigorously along the full length of the ice sheet, their heart rate can rise to levels comparable to those experienced during a 100-meter sprint. In a 10-end match, a player may sweep as many as 48 times.

So while curling is often viewed as a highly strategic sport, it can also be physically challenging – and may well leave you with sore muscles the next day!

The Spirit of Curling is one of the defining values of the sport. It is what makes curling not only unique, but also deeply rooted in tradition, respect, and sportsmanship.

The Spirit of Curling goes beyond simple fair play. It does not mean that curling lacks competitiveness. Rather, it means that players compete with determination and strive to win for themselves and their team, but never with the intention of humiliating or disrespecting their opponents.

The Spirit of Curling is often easier to experience than to describe. It can be felt from the very first encounter with the sport and is shared by curling communities all around the world.

Absolutely. At first glance, curling may seem to consist only of sweeping and delivering stones, but a closer look at a match reveals that every shot involves careful strategy and decision-making.

Where should the stone be placed? How should the team respond to the opponent’s last shot? What is the backup plan if the intended shot does not work out? How intensely should the stone be swept, and when should sweeping begin or stop?

Players must constantly consider these and many other factors during the game, often making decisions themselves rather than relying on a coach. Strategic decisions are primarily the responsibility of the team captain, known as the skip, who calls the shots and directs play. It quickly becomes clear that curling strategy is far more complex than it may appear at first sight.

The beauty of curling is that it can truly be tried by anyone. In countries where curling is more widespread, it is even played by athletes older than 70 years. Curling training mainly depends on the individual and their abilities, and everyone can make progress very quickly. With every delivery, the player becomes more confident in themselves and their skills.

Curling is a Winter Olympic sport. It is a team game played on ice in which players slide stones toward a target at the far end of an ice sheet. It is best known for the sweeping that takes place in front of the stones, as players can influence the stone’s direction and distance to a certain extent by sweeping the ice.

Curling originates from Scotland, with its beginnings dating back to the 16th century. Today, it is most popular in Scandinavian countries and in Canada. Since 1998, curling has been part of the official program of the Winter Olympic Games.

Curling is a team sport consisting of four players, each with a specific role. The first player throws stones 1 and 2, the second throws stones 3 and 4, the third throws stones 5 and 6, and the fourth throws stones 7 and 8.

The fourth player, also known as the skip, acts as the team captain. The skip stands in the house (the target area) and is responsible for strategy, deciding which shots the teammates should play. The skip most often delivers the final two stones. The two players who are not delivering stones at a given moment are responsible for sweeping. They assess the stone’s speed and help control it through sweeping.

Every stone is therefore the result of teamwork, which is why curling is a true team sport where coordination among all four players is essential.