Alpine Association of Slovenia (Planinska zveza Slovenije)

• Slovensko planinsko društvo (SPD; Slovenian Mountaineering Society; known today as Planinska zveza Slovenije – Alpine Association of Slovenia) was formed in 1893. At first, the SPD’s main task was defense against foreign influence in Slovenian mountains and expansion of Slovenian mountaineering efforts.

• It is among the most numerous non-governmental organizations in Slovenia, and the most numerous sports organization.
• The President of the Alpine Association of Slovenia is Mr. Jože Rovan.
• It includes a total of 58.413 (in 2018) spanning all age groups.
• The number of youth mountaineers, ranging from pre-school children to 26-year-olds, amounts more than 18,000.
• PZS has 285 Alpine clubs
• In Slovenia we have 178 mountain huts, shelters and bivouacs and more than 10.000 km of marked mountain trails.
• A member of the alpine association can take part in a variety of mountaineering activities, use discounts on accommodation in mountain lodges in Slovenia and Europe, take out different types of insurance, and enjoy benefits in the purchase of mountaineering equipment, etc.
• Alpine clubs organized within the Alpine Association of Slovenia (Planinska zveza Slovenije) coordinate their activities within 12 regional committees of local alpine clubs operating in the areas of Podravje, Zasavje, Koroška, Pomurje, Gorenjska, Posočje, Kamnik-Bistrica area, Savinjska, Ljubljana, Notranjska, Primorsko-Notranjska, Dolenjska and Bela Krajina.

 In Slovenia, the Alpine Association of Slovenia is a member of:

• the Olympic Committee of Slovenia (Olimpijski komite Slovenije).

 It has cooperation agreements with:

• the Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia (Gorska reševalna zveza Slovenije),
• the Slovenian Red Cross (Rdeči križ Slovenije – Zveza združenj),
• the Slovenian Mountain Guide Association (Združenje gorskih vodnikov Slovenije),
• the NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence (NATO Center odličnosti za gorsko bojevanje), and
• the Slovenian Military Mountain Soldiers Association (Združenje vojaških gornikov Slovenije).

The agreement of cooperation in the field of sustainable development and the pursuit of joint efforts towards the protection and conservation of biodiversity was concluded by the Alpine Association of Slovenia, Fishing Association of Slovenia, Hunting Association of Slovenia, Tourist Association of Slovenia, Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association, and Slovenian Kennel Club.

International activities

The Alpine Association of Slovenia (Planinska zveza Slovenije) participates and is represented in many international organizations:

• the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA),
• the European Union of Mountaineering Associations (EUMA),
• the Balkan Mountaineering Union (BMU),
• the Club Arc Alpin (CAA),
• the European Ramblers Association (ERA),
• the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF),
• the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC),
• the International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR), and
• the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium.

Moreover, the Alpine Association of Slovenia encourages its members to strive towards active cooperation in the international environment and form close contacts with the Slovenians beyond the national borders and with other comparable organizations. Their activities culminate in the Gathering of the Mountaineers of Three Countries and in the Meeting.