Sljeme has rang in 2009 in working mode, while the rest of Zagreb, Croatia and the world for that matter, rested after a turbulent night, fine lunch and socialising with family and friends. Real snow is the cause of concern, which has covered the Croatian capital. Although the youngest were looking forward to it and could hardly wait to see it, workers on the Snow Queen Trophy track had to promptly clean up the white duvet, as the world`s best skiers will be competing on January 4 and 6.

Such a problem was expected and everything has been prepared in advance, therefore there will be no problems.

- The snow has slowed down a bit the mail preparations for the track, but the workers spent a whole day and most of the night clearing it. Anyway, we are already in the final stage of the preparations, so the snow cover has not alarmed us, it only gave us additional work – the Croatian Skiing Association confirmed, discarding any doubts that the prestigious race might not take place.

Supreme accommodation awaits the skiers, along with all the necessary conditions for training before the main event, the slalom race, equally great programme, conditions and entertainment awaits everyone who comes to the highest mountaintop nearby Zagreb, to make things perfect, just like the previous four times.

The Snow Queen Trophy begins on January 3 at 18 with a music programme, after which the starting positions will be determined for female skiers in Zagreb`s Ban Jelacic Square. Participants of the humanitarian HYPO Zagreb Ski Legends race will be presented, while the real treat will follow at 20 hours, which is when Petar Graso and Danijela`s concert starts.

Starting positions for men will be determined on Sunday January 5 at 19 hours. Legendary disco group Boney M will perform at 20 hours.

Traffic will be especially regulated and immaculate

However, what everyone who will rush to Mount Sljeme wants to know is how to get there, what awaits them and what their 100 kuna tickets include at the cost of 100 kuna (13.8 euros approximately for one day) and 150 kuna (20.8 euros for both days). One-day ticket will cost 40 kuna for children (7-5 years of age), while a ticket for both days costs 60 kuna.

Viewers will be gathering in Mihaljevac and Stubicke Toplice, who will be setting out for Sljeme from 6:30 on Sunday and 11 hours on Tuesday. ZET buses will take the passengers from the tram stop in Ksaverska Street, from the intersection with Gracanska Street.

- A ticket will include a portion of bean stew, a hot dog, various sandwiches, snacks and warm drinks. There will be no alcohol and it is strictly banned. We especially invite the audience to dress warm, because it will be 10 below zero and the number of tents and heating instalments will not be sufficient for over 10,000 people, which is how many are expected for the big race – spokesperson of the Croatian Skiing Association Nenad Eror said.

All of those who have not yet purchased their ticket and would like to see the races had better hurry because although 18,000 tickets were released for sale, they are nearly sold-out, which is excellent news for the organisers, especially because over 10,000 tickets were sold last year for both days.

Just like before, there are three types of tickets: Zone A (red), Zone B (blue) both with arrivals from Mihaljevac and Zone C (green) with arrival from Stubicke Toplice.

To make things additionally entertaining for the audience, there will be a Vip amusement part with games, numerous surprises and a kiosk with warm drinks. Thus, the visitors inclined towards team sports will have a chance at Vip boy: a game with two goals played on snow, 3 on 3, where a sponge ball is used instead of a puck and brooms instead of sticks.

Guests who are good shooters can have a go in shooting snowmen: their hats need to be knocked down with snowballs. Couples can do their best in sledging through set up gates along a slope, while good rope jumpers can try to keep their hats on as they jump rope. There will be a quiz on the stage, while Vipnet will be giving away many presents and SIM cards.

Special prizes will be reserved for amateur photographers with best photos taken with mobile phones at Sljeme, which is surely an additional bonus.

The city has also thrown a surprise for the viewers: everyone who wants to ski after the race will be able to purchase tickets at a 30 percent discount.

This is not all, Croatian Railways will reduce ticket prices 40 percent for all first and second-class passengers who will attend the Snow Queen Trophy and can use their benefits from January 3 until 7.

Loud supports from the fans is expected

This great spectacle will again cost 28 million kuna, but since it will take place right after the New Year and will be broadcast in over 20 countries, good ratings are expected, which means good profits and organisation costs will entirely be covered.

Zagreb will make the skiers, supporters and skiing fans happy for the fifth consecutive year, because organisation is on a top level and everyone who has witnessed the slalom race, or even competed in it, says not many countries have such a spectacle. Of course, the reason for this is that all other races are in smaller villages, while the Snow Queen Trophy is next to the Croatian capital.

Everyone is invited to enjoy the event, they will definitely not be disappointed. For the price of one ticket, they will experience unforgettable moments, enjoy supreme conditions and receive everything back ten-fold.

The only task of the crowd is to provide magnificent support to the skiers, the way only Croats know how, loud and impressive. Let`s all go to Sljeme!