The long-delayed revival of Kanin in Slovenia is finally gaining momentum, with the Slovenian government expected to commit €60 million ($70 million) over the next three years toward rebuilding the ski resort and restoring the possibility of skiing across the border into Italy.
Kanin has been closed since autumn 2023 after Slovenia’s main access gondola from Bovec was shut down over the condition of the aging infrastructure. The closure also ended the cross-border ski connection between Kanin and Sella Nevea in Italy, leaving the two sides of the Julian Alps operating separately.
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Now, the Municipality of Bovec is nearing an agreement with South Tyrolean lift manufacturer Leitner, which is expected to become a private investor in the redevelopment. Slovenian media report that Leitner would invest approximately €25 million ($28 million), while the government is expected to provide €60 million ($67 million) over three years. The broader modernization project has previously been estimated at around €100 million ($112 million).
New Gondola and Modernized Lifts
The redevelopment would involve a complete modernization of the Slovenian side of Kanin rather than simply repairing the gondola that forced the resort to close. The centerpiece would be a new gondola connecting Bovec with the upper mountain, replacing the existing system that was taken out of service in 2023. The plans also call for replacing existing chairlifts with new four-person lifts and installing snowmaking infrastructure.
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The snowmaking system would be a significant addition to Kanin, which has historically relied heavily on the naturally heavy snowfall of the Kanin massif. The new system would provide greater reliability during the beginning and end of the ski season and help maintain more consistent operating conditions.
According to Slovenian reporting, negotiations with Leitner are now in their final stages. The company was the only bidder to submit an offer in the Municipality of Bovec’s June 2026 search for a co-investor for the redevelopment. The Bovec municipal council is expected to review and verify the investment agreement this week.
Cross-Border Skiing Could Return
For skiers, the most exciting part of the project is what the redevelopment could mean for Sella Nevea. Kanin and Sella Nevea previously formed one of Europe’s unusual cross-border ski areas, allowing skiers to move between Slovenia and Italy high in the Julian Alps. The connection has been unavailable since the Slovenian side closed in 2023.
If the redevelopment proceeds as planned, the Slovenian side could eventually reconnect with Sella Nevea, restoring the international ski area and giving Italian and Slovenian skiers access to terrain on both sides of the border. A potential reopening would give the Italian side, Sella Nevea, a welcome boost with offering cross-border access to Slovenia.
The Kanin massif is one of the snowiest parts of the southeastern Alps and reaches more than 8,000 feet (2,500 meters), giving the area a high-altitude setting that has historically supported a long ski season.
A Long Road Back
Kanin’s revival has been discussed for years, with several proposed investors and redevelopment plans failing to reach construction. The latest project appears further along than previous attempts.
The Municipality of Bovec has been working toward a building permit while searching for a private investor, and the government’s expected €60 million commitment would represent a major increase over the €30 million it previously indicated it was prepared to provide for a new access gondola.
Slovenian newspaper Delo reported October 2 that the municipality was expected to sign a co-investment agreement with Leitner, while Dnevnik reported October 6 that negotiations with the lift manufacturer were in their final phase. Danijel Krivec, head of the municipal commission for the redesign of Kanin, told reporters that the government had committed to providing €60 million over three years and that Leitner was the sole bidder in the municipality’s investor search. Krivec was hoping a deal with Leitner could be signed this week, however, the final financial structure and construction schedule are not yet complete.
Could Kanin Reopen by 2029-30?
There is currently no guaranteed reopening date. Current reporting from the region points toward a possible return to full cross-border operations in the 2029-30 ski season, assuming the financing, permits and construction proceed as planned.
For skiers and snowboardersrs who remember crossing the Julian Alps, that would restore something far more significant than a single gondola. It would bring back one of Europe’s most unusual international ski areas.
