[Business Scene] A Paradise for Sledders and Zipliners in Lička Cvituša Awaits a Ski Slope with a T-bar

The sledding area Cvituša in Lovincu is a favorite destination for many families from Dalmatia seeking good fun, socializing, and enjoyment. Children, as well as some older individuals inclined towards milder adrenaline experiences, enjoy sledding down the slopes, and all of them, along with their families, certainly appreciate the hospitality offerings at the base of the sledding area.

All of this is part of the business project Hrvoje Račić, a would-be veterinarian and former mayor of the Municipality of Lovinac, who has been investing in the development of the Cvituša sledding area and all necessary accompanying facilities and infrastructure for four years. So far, he has invested around 300 thousand euros in Cvituša. It is difficult for him to predict how much more he will need to invest over the next five years, which he estimates will be the duration of the further investment cycle, especially during the ongoing „corona crisis”.

The backbone of Račić’s sledding project is, besides the slope itself, a hospitality facility at the foot of  the Cvituša slope, as well as a large parking area on the plain below the sledding area designated for guests.

To avoid depending on the whims of the weather, as Lika has not been abundant in snow in recent years, Račić has acquired a snow cannon and a ratrack to prepare a safe and quality sledding slope. For the regular operation of the hospitality facility, Račić employs six people, and during peak times for preparing the sledding area, whether due to precipitation or the operation of the snow cannon, he occasionally hires additional workers.

At this stage of the development of the sledding area, and even the ski area, Račić states that a significant cost item is water for the operation of the snow cannon. To reduce this expense, he is investing in geological research and drilling to find sources of underground water. This way, even with the payment of mining studies and concessions if the underground water is too deep, he would still have cheaper water than what he currently buys from the public water supply.

The construction of the planned T-bar is in the plans, Račić says, but it has been postponed at this stage of development. Namely, the T-bar is part of the ski school plan, but the high interest in sledding, which means a weekend influx of 1,000 to 1,500 guests, has become too much of a burden, posing logistical and safety challenges for sledders, as well as for Račić as the responsible organizer of these events.

Therefore, Račić plans to further clear the existing slope of trees, stumps, and bushes to separate the ski school participants from the sledders, and in that part of the project, he will also build the T-bar.

When the winter season ends, Račić’s complex operates as an excursion site with a hospitality facility, offering bike rentals and a zip-line as part of the adrenaline offerings.

Additionally, Račić highlights the excellent five-year cooperation with the Croatian Scout Association, which will hold a national Scout Review in the spring at his location and in the immediate surroundings, with around 2,000 participants.

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