Ski resort e Zakopane is the highest ski resort in Poland.
The resort received this name from the city of the same name Zakopane, which is located in the valley of the Tatra Mountains at altitudes from 727 to 1150 meters and 110 km south of one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Krakow.
On one side the city is surrounded by the Gubałówka mountain range, and on the other side are the Tatra Mountains.
And although the Zakopane region does not have the highest peaks of the Tatras, the heights from 1 km 200 m to 1 km 987 m are quite enough to organize a decent ski resort of European level here.
I would like to note that the category of skiers who like to travel to the Alps, in particular to visit the famous ones or Austria, can find a good alternative for themselves here, since the Tatra Mountains are in many ways similar to the Alps, except that the scale is smaller, but the prices here is an order of magnitude lower, and getting closer. But first things first.
It is also worth noting that Zakopane is a kind of cultural center of the southern region of Poland; cultural life has been constantly bubbling here for more than 100 years, which you can partly plunge into.
But let's still talk about Zakopane as a ski resort.
Number of routes, slopes, lifts in the ski region
The ski region is divided into 3 main areas - Kasprowy Wierch, Nosal, Gubalowka.
General characteristics of the ski region:
- Highest point – 1 km 987 m (mountain Kasprowy Wierch);
- The height difference is about 950 m;
- The total length of the routes (tracks) is about 30 km;
- There are twenty lifts;
- The length of cross-country skiing routes is about 50 km.
Ski area Kasprowy Wierch
The highest point is 1 km 957 m. Above, at an altitude of 1 km 987 m, there is a weather station. Very crowded, but also the best place for skiing in Poland alpine skiing Oh.
The longest track in Poland is equipped here, the length of which is 4 km 295 meters. There are a total of 5 routes here.
There are two chairlifts and one passenger-car cableway leading to the top of the mountain.
The passenger-carriage cable car leads to the very top of the Kasprowy Wierch mountain (center in the diagram). It starts with Kuznice and is divided into two parts.
The first part will take you to a height of 1 km 354 m, the second part to 1 km 959 m.
It is very similar to the Miskhor – Ai-Petri cable car, which is located in Crimea, but a little more modern.
The difference between the lower and upper points is 930 meters.
Nosal ski area
The highest point is 1 km 206 meters. There are 9 routes here, which in terms of preparedness are considered one of the best not only in Zakopane, but also in Poland.
In terms of infrastructure development, everything here is excellent.
Hotels, parking lots, rental offices, cafes and restaurants, everything is nearby.
The number of lifts corresponds to the number of slopes, there are 9 of them, plus one cable car.
The trails here are not large, and the elevation difference is not significant - 245 m, but they are well prepared, some of the routes are illuminated.
There is a 650 m slalom route, which is the best in Poland.
There is a system of artificial snow formation.
Ski area Gubalowka
The highest point of this ski area is 1 km 120 m. There are several small ski slopes here. The longest route is 1 km 338 m.
- Blue trails – 1;
- Reds – 2;
- Black – 1;
- For cross-country skiing – 1 (nearby in the forest).
The ski area is equipped only with rope tows, with the exception of one funicular.
The popularity of the Gubalowka ski area is also due to the fact that you can get to the top of the mountain by cable car directly from the center of Zakopane.
The elevation difference is 300 meters.
There is a special observation deck at the top, which rises 300 m above the city and offers a beautiful view of the city and the surrounding mountains.
Many skiers try to compare the Zakopane ski resort with similar resorts in St. Petersburg or the Moscow region and express the opinion that they are somewhat similar. For comparison, many people take .
If we take the ski areas of Nosal and Gubalowka, then there is certainly some similarity, since the elevation differences are almost the same and the preparedness of the slopes is the same.
If we take the Kasprowy Wierch ski area, then there are real mountains here and it would be reckless to compare this ski area with the above-mentioned Russian resorts.
If you are looking for a quiet place for a winter holiday, then the Zakopane ski resort is not for you.
There are always a lot of people here, since not only Poles come here to relax, but also Russians, tourists from neighboring countries, in particular from Ukraine and Slovakia.
The resort constantly hosts winter sports competitions, there is a speed skating track, many jumping boards, and a swimming pool, which is open 12 months a year and is filled with geothermal healing waters.
You can relax here all year round, but this topic is not for our article.
Where to stay
Zakopane is the tourist and cultural center of the southern region of Poland, so it would not be correct to say that there will be any problems with accommodation here.
The city can accommodate about 60 thousand tourists at one time due to large quantity hotels, cottage towns, boarding houses, private sector.
The most famous hotels:
- Three stars – Kasprowy, Orcel, Sabala;
- Four stars – Litvor, Villa Marilor, Belvedere;
- Boarding houses (3 star rooms) – Sosnitsa, Lipovy Dvor, Orel.
Hotel map
How to get there
It is convenient to get there by two routes, through Krakow and through the Slovak city of Poprad (airport).
From Krakow directly south 110 km, 2 hours 30 minutes on the way and you are there.
You can also travel from Krakow to Zakopane by train.
From Poprad the drive is closer, 68 km, the road passes through the mountains and is very beautiful places Tatra National Park. There is no railway connection. In general, it’s up to you, but it’s better to go by personal car.
In conclusion, we can say that the Polish ski resort of Zakopane is not only a place with the opportunity to ski, it is a huge party area where you can truly have fun and relax, plunge into the world of art and local folklore.
It's better to come here big company or a family with children.
It should be noted that this ski region is not distinguished by the presence of a large number of different trails. The ski areas are scattered and do not have a single lift system that would unite them.
There is also no single Ski pass that would cover the entire ski region.
Since this ski region is a very popular holiday destination not only in Poland, but also far beyond its borders, there are frequent queues at the ticket office and on the ski lifts that you just have to brave. Well, it depends on your luck here.
Despite the fact that the ski season at the resort is open from mid-December to the end of March, the weather in the region is very changeable, there are days when it rains, which can quickly give way to heavy snowfall. But thanks to snow cannons, most ski slopes are always covered with snow.
But all these shortcomings do not spoil the Polish ski resort of Zakopane at all, and it is already very for a long time considered excellent budget place for active winter recreation.
Language barrier
Looking at the license plates of the cars that are parked in the parking lots, you will most likely think that you have come to relax either in Russia or Ukraine.
Here you will hear conversations in Polish, Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian, English and other languages. There is especially no language barrier with the service staff, who are very well prepared to meet tourists from all over the world.
Welcome to the ski resort of Zakopane.
Zakopane - Kasprowy Wierch.
Zakopane. When and for how long to go?
How long does it take to get to Zakopane?
For ordinary (unprepared) tourists, the hiking season in the Tatras is limited to the warm season, when most trails can be walked without special equipment.
Warm days arrive in Zakopane at the end of April, so you can already go for the first walks during the May holidays.
However, it is worth keeping in mind that Poland also has its own May holidays, which most Poles prefer to spend outside the home. This is May 1 - Labor Day, a legacy from the times of socialism, and May 3 - Constitution Day, the main Polish national holiday.
During the week of May 1st and 3rd, Poles usually travel. After all, just like with us, you can take 3 days off, and take a walk, including weekends, for 9 whole days.
Therefore, at this time (at least from May 1 to May 3), almost all hotels in Zakopane are occupied. This, however, does not mean that it is impossible to book a hotel for the May holidays; this only means that you need to book a hotel in advance.
In general, you can take your first walks in the Tatras as early as April. But a lot depends on nature: if it’s early spring, most mountain trails will be free of snow by the end of April; if it’s late spring, most mountain trails will be inaccessible.
The only thing we can say with certainty is that those who come to Zakopane in early May can definitely go for walks in the valleys, including the road to Sea Eye Lake.
By the end of May, most tourist routes are guaranteed to be free of snow. It may lie only in fragments on some slopes and on the highest peaks.
By this time, the valleys are blooming, the ice on the lakes is melting.
After the May holidays, almost until the end of June, there is some lull in the tourist life of Zakopane. The fact is that the plans of most Polish tourists coming to Zakopane are in one way or another tied to the holidays. The academic year in Polish schools lasts until the end of June, so at this time children and their parents come here only on weekends. Students are also busy preparing for exams and have no time for the Tatra Mountains.
June is one of the best periods for mountain passes in Zakopane: the weather is already summer, and there are still few tourists.
This month has more rainy days than May, but the maximum duration of daylight allows you to plan long hikes in the mountains.
Peak summer tourism in Zakopane occurs in July and August. Even cable cars increase their working hours at this time.
However, according to statistics, July is the rainiest month. Although there are also quite long periods without rain at all. One thing is for sure: July is an exceptionally warm month.
By August, the last snow in the mountains finally melts. All trails are open. The days are still quite long, and the weather (especially in the second half of the month) is sunny and stable.
September is the month when mainly students come to Zakopane (the Polish academic year in higher education institutions begins on October 1), and those mountain lovers who are not attached to summer holidays.
And if the mornings and evenings at the beginning of the month are usually already cold, then the end of September often pleases with warm days of golden autumn.
In October, hiking in the Tatras gradually fades away. Sometimes at this time it even snows here and there. Some recovery occurs only on weekends.
Although November pleases us with stable weather, the air temperature is already quite low, and in the mountains more and more trails are closed due to snow. All that remains is walking through the valleys.
How long does it take to arrive in Zakopane?
Poles, and even more so residents of the southern part of Poland, usually come to Zakopane for 3-4 days, using weekends and adding a day or two off.
However, they have the opportunity to come here several times a year (which, by the way, they do). And considering that it is much more difficult for us to get to Poland, our vacation time in Zakopane can be extended to a week. At the same time, every day you will be guaranteed a trip to new interesting places.
It also makes sense to combine a trip to Zakopane with a trip to Krakow. (http://www.krakow.ru)
I cannot give universal advice regarding the length of rest. In my opinion, 3 days (full days, not counting the days of arrival and departure) is the minimum period required to experience the Tatras and Zakopane.
You can plan a pretty intense program for five days.
Finally, in a week, you can already feel a little like a mountaineer (and at the same time, the routes you visit will not be repeated).
Better yet, return to Zakopane again to take the already familiar route again and conquer peaks that you didn’t have the strength to climb in the past.
November 26th, 2013 , 12:38 am
If you expand physical card Poland, it is clear that its southern border is a rather uneven terrain. This is a mountain system called the Tatras (the highest part of the Carpathians) and it is almost equally divided between Poland and Slovakia.
The Tatras are slightly lacking in altitude for the formation of permanent glaciers and snowfields (they usually start at 3 km, and the highest point in the Tatras is 2655, Gerlachovský Štit, Slovakia). Due to this, in the warm season, the mountains are practically free of snow and are an ideal area for mountain tourism, hiking and day trips.
The Tatras, both on the part of Poland and on Slovak territory, are protected by the status of national parks. No logging, hunting activities or independent organization of overnight stays. Everything is regulated and orderly. You can move only along specially paved paths; stopovers can be arranged in equipped places or in skhronisko (mountain shelters).
Thanks to such strictness, the mountains and the forest covering them are kept perfectly clean, despite the sky-high popularity of mountain hikes and walks among Europeans (about 3 million people come to the Tatras every year).
My acquaintance with the Tatras took place during my second visit to Poland. The first Polish trip was more of an informational nature, just to see the country and decide for the future whether it makes sense to come here again. It turned out that Poland is one of the most interesting countries which I was lucky enough to visit. And it was during my first trip that I learned a little about the southern part of the country, about the royal city of Krakow and the mountains that are visible from there.
So, a short diagram of how I got to the Tatras. The Polonaise train departed from the Belorussky railway station in Moscow at approximately 5 p.m. The next morning at around 9 am, arrival in Warsaw.
Immediately at the station we bought tickets to Krakow. Krakow is one of major cities country, it is located south of the Polish capital, at a distance of just over 300 km. Local buses and trains run between the cities.
So, in the middle of the day we arrived in Krakow. The central bus station is located next to the railway station, it is very convenient, within 10 minutes we had bus tickets to Zakopane. As a result, by five o'clock in the evening we arrived in Zakopane - a resort town located in front of the very slopes of the Tatra ridge.
I won’t tell you in detail about Zakopane. This town is called the winter capital of Poland and ski lovers have written many reviews about it. But even in summer and autumn the town is not empty. Lovers of hiking the surrounding peaks and passes come here from all over the country (and not only). What a pity that the tense situation in the North Caucasus does not allow Russians to fully enjoy their holidays in the mountains. The Poles have no problems with this; there are no militants hiding in the Tatras, only wild animals, sometimes brides with umbrellas..
One of the most popular sites visited by all guests of the town is the mountain lake Morskie Oko. This is a very picturesque glacial runoff pond surrounded by steep rocky slopes.
Its water is saturated with salts and minerals, which, depending on the direction of the incident light, can color the surface in different colors. As a result, while taking a “circle of honor” around Morskie Oko, you can watch the hue of the water change from blue to emerald.
100 vertical meters above Morskie Oko, hidden among the gloomy rocky slopes, is another small body of water, Black Stav nad Rysy. The route to the highest peak in Poland - the northern peak of Rysy (2499m) - passes through it. Chorny Stav and Morskie Oko form a picturesque lake cascade connected by a waterfall.
The second destination is very popular among Zakopane residents and visiting tourists - the peak of Kasprowy Wierch (1970m) and its surroundings. There is plenty of room for the winds to blow freely, so the temperature in these places is often several degrees lower than in Zakopane.
You can climb to Kasprowy Wierch yourself or use the cable car, which starts from the suburb of Zakopane, the town of Kuznice.
From the top, where the cable cars arrive and where the meteorological observatory station is located, hiking trails run in different directions.
Days in Zakopane fly by quickly. From morning until dusk - healing (for the soul and health) mountain sensations, sometimes with a dose of extreme sports and physical activity, and in the evening - walks around the city, rich in souvenir stalls, various restaurants and shops. If possible, visit the town of Zakopane, hidden on the very edge of Poland. Surely, the harsh rocks, battlements and peaks of the Tatra ridge, coniferous forests covering the slopes and valleys, the blue-green ovals of mountain lakes, and of course the good-natured Poles who often greet you when they meet you on a mountain path ("trzeszcz" or " Jen good").
Happy travels to you!
* thanks to colleague and friend Ivan Vostrikov for sharing several of his photos for this report.
Our road to Zakopane lay through a small town Nowy Targ.
Nowy Targ(Nowy Targ)
Nowy Targ- a town in Poland at the foot of the Tatras. The population is about 33,000 people. Today, Nowy Targ, as befits a county town, is a major regional center of trade, culture and sports. Numerous warehouses, shoe factories, fur factories, factories operate here. building materials etc.
As they write on the city’s official website: tourists are invited to dine in numerous restaurants, cafes and small pubs. The city has excellent conditions for sports: air, ski slopes and an ice skating rink, tennis courts. Nowy Targ It is also an excellent starting point for hiking and cycling in a region of beautiful landscapes and ethnographic traditions of the highlanders. The icy waters of the Dunajec River and its tributaries are a paradise for anglers.
On weekends on the streets Nowy Targ A big market is breaking up. It was for this reason that we were brought here before our arrival in Zakopane. The Novotargsky market occupies an area of more than 1.5 hectares. Here you can buy almost everything: from apples and local cheese, to sheepskin coats and other sheepskin souvenirs. Not only tourists shop at the market, so there are also more everyday items.
Not far from the streets filled with stalls of merchants and shoppers scurrying between them is Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Kościół Najświętszego Serca Pana Jezusa). Construction of the temple began in the 30s of the 20th century and lasted almost 30 years. The bell tower of the church (65 m) is the most tall building in the city.
The small wooden church of St. is considered the most valuable ancient monument. Anna XVI century (according to tradition, created by robbers), but we did not get to it.
There are many sheep grazing on the slopes.
Zakopane: famous ski resort in autumn
small town Zakopane many call it the winter capital of Poland. At this time of year, numerous ski enthusiasts come here. The skiing season usually lasts from December to April. But the rest of the time, life in Zakopane does not stop. Beautiful natural scenery and mountain air attract hikers to Świnice, Giewont and Kasprowy Wierch.
Inspection Zakopane we started from Mount Gubałówka ( Gubałowka, 1123 m above sea level). You can get to the top along a narrow-gauge railway in yellow-blue carriages. Photo in front of the railway station.
Opens from the trailer windows beautiful view to the neighboring mountains and the city itself:
Restaurant at the top Gubałówki:
View of Zakopane:
Photo as a souvenir with a lamb and a stuffed bear.
Nice rural landscape.
I don’t know if there are wild boars in these parts, but they serve beer with boar sausages here.
We walked around Gubałówka and went downstairs. At the foot there is a colorful local bazaar, where we bought a pillow in the shape of a lamb.
***
Delicious sheep cheese.
Along the old central street of Krupówki there is a fashionable pedestrian zone with shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.
*** 
*** 
*** 
*** 
Zakopane is considered one of the most beautiful, modern and accessible. Poland is a beautiful country that boasts high mountains, clear lakes, fast rivers, medieval castles and many other cultural and historical attractions. There are all conditions for both relaxing and active recreation. Clean, healthy air, impeccable ski slopes, picturesque landscapes - all this Zakopane attracts thousands of tourists. Every year, amateurs come here to enjoy great skiing.
Zakopane is one of the best ski resorts in Poland
Whomever you meet in this cozy and very beautiful town! Ukrainians, Slovaks, Belarusians, Russians - with the onset of winter, everyone strives to book hotel rooms early, book a tour to go to the resort. And during the New Year holidays there is no crowd here. How can one explain the success of Zakopane? A breathtaking view of mountains covered with snow, pistes corresponding to European standards, beautiful scenery, impeccable service. Having come here once, you want to visit Zakopane again and again. Photos brought from vacation will be an excellent motivation to travel to this wonderful place for friends and family, because it is simply impossible not to be tempted by the local beauty.
Weather conditions
Climatic conditions allow you to relax in Zakopane all year round. Of course, the greatest influx of tourists here is observed in winter, because this is primarily a ski resort. From May until autumn, travelers come to make mountain hikes. In the summer in the south of Poland it is sunny and warm, so guests of the country relax near the lake, go rock climbing, climb the mountains on foot or by bicycle. In autumn, the weather in Zakopane remains warm and dry in most cases. Poland opens the ski season in December.
Ski slopes in Zakopane
At an altitude of 860 m to 2000 m, there are 6 ski areas equipped according to European standards. The first of them is called Kasprowy Wierch - it is the largest. Suitable mainly for experienced athletes, it has two descent valleys. Kasprowy Wierch is located on the territory of Tatra National Park, so while the lift will raise 2000 m in height, tourists will have something to see. Ski resorts in Poland amaze with their thoughtfulness and organization. A striking example is the most popular ski area in Zakopane, Gubalowka. It is suitable for both experienced athletes and beginners. The funicular is located in the city center, so getting to the slopes is not difficult.
Szymoszkowa Glade is located on the Gulabówki ridge. The descent of the route begins at an altitude of 840 m, the area is fenced with nets, the length of the slope is almost 2 km. Suitable for beginners, advanced skiers and snowboarders.
The Nosal zone is located on the mountain of the same name. The length of the slope is small, only 650 m, but the road is steep and difficult, so it is suitable only for experienced athletes.
Kozinets, Buturovy top, Pardulówka are suitable for both masters and beginners. There are high slopes and rope tows.
Wellness in Zakopane
People come here not only to relax, but also to improve their health. Zakopane is a ski resort that is rich in invigorating air, clean water, thermal springs, and green areas. Nature itself promotes cleansing and healing. The city has a powerful medical base, not inferior to the most famous resorts in Europe. The mild climate, coniferous forests, clean water - all this is suitable for patients with tuberculosis and anemia. In Zakopane, people suffering from allergies and problems with the respiratory system are cured. Residents of big cities come to the resort to improve their health, relax, relieve stress, and restore active processes in the body.
Main attractions
Holidays in Zakopane involve not only a daily descent from the mountains, but also an exploration of the local beauty, historical and cultural monuments of the country. To get a closer look at the traditions and customs of the Poles, you should visit the Tatra Museum, where a lot of exhibits are kept. Not far from the city is the village of Chocholow, where just over 1,000 people live. The peculiarity of the village is that it consists of wooden mountain huts that were built back in the 19th century.
The resort of Zakopane has truly picturesque corners, one of such places is the Morskie Oko Nature Reserve. This is the name of a huge lake located in the Tatras. Visitors are brought to the reservoir by a driver on a horse-drawn cart. The Sea Eye will captivate anyone with its beauty: a transparent turquoise expanse stretches below, and proud and inaccessible mountain peaks covered with snow caps rise above. Near the lake, vacationers sunbathe, fish, have picnics and just relax.
Not far from Zakopane is the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, built in honor of Pope John II. Visitors walk around the grounds, look at the sculptures, and admire the altar and the decoration of the building. The atmosphere of the temple evokes reflection, calms and pacifies. From here you have a stunning view of the mountains. Zakopane is rich in thermal springs, ancient churches, and knight's castles.
Many will be interested in visiting the museum dedicated to Karol Szymanowski. He spent 6 years at Villa Atma; his personal belongings and furnishings were preserved there. Visitors get the impression that Szymanowski still lives there. Fans of avant-garde art should visit the Vitkevich Theater. Many people visit it famous people, cultural figures. There are many unique historical places in Zakopane. Poland is a mysterious country that reveals its veil of secrets only to the most inquisitive travelers.
Entertainment
What to do in Zakopane? Here you can have a great rest, improve your health and, of course, have fun. Ski resorts in Poland are famous for their developed infrastructure, so no one will be bored. Cycling, skating rink, excursions, hang gliding, swimming pool, hiking, trips to the lake - this is not a complete list of entertainment that Zakopane offers.
In the Antułówka area there is a water park - a favorite vacation spot for children and adults. It is interesting because one of the walls is completely glass, which provides a complete overview of the local beauty. The water park has slides of varying difficulty, there is also a jacuzzi, a salt room, a steam room, and a swimming pool with hydromassage. The water here is thermal, so visitors will not only have a good time, but also improve their health.
There are a lot of bars at the resort, no one will go hungry. The food is delicious and hearty dishes, so after a hearty lunch it is sometimes difficult to force yourself to go on an excursion or ski down a mountain peak. In Zakopane there are 13 entertainment centers, 18 night clubs, everyone can find their own music: DJs play songs for both young people and the older generation. And, of course, don’t forget about excursions. The most popular is the “kulingi” - a sleigh ride. Excursions to the valleys are mysterious and mysterious, because there are a lot of caves there. It is also worth visiting Pieniny Park to enjoy the beauty of the local nature and go rafting past the canyons. There is enough entertainment in Zakopane for everyone.
Zakopane Hotels
More than 50 thousand tourists can relax at the resort at the same time; there is enough housing for everyone. Boarding houses, hotels, apartments, cottages, private houses and apartments - all this can be rented in Zakopane. Hotels of different price categories, high-level service, pleasantly surprising prices. Lovers of comfort and luxury can stay in the Villa Marilor and Litvor hotels, located in the center of Zakopane. Poland is attractive primarily for its skiing; you can stay near the ski area at the Kasprowy Mercure 4* hotel. The boarding houses “Rusalka”, “Sosnitsa”, “Linden Dvor”, “Anna-Maria” are suitable for family holidays.
When is the best time to come to the resort?
Holidays in Zakopane are good at any time of the year. In winter, ski lovers come here to have a great New Year's holiday. Spring, summer and autumn are great times for hiking in the mountains, when you can rent bicycles and organize bike rides around the city. The warm season is good for exploring local attractions and visiting picturesque places such as forests and lakes. Therefore, when to go to Zakopane, everyone must decide for themselves, based on their own preferences. It’s even better to visit the town in winter, spring, summer and autumn to fully enjoy the local nature.
Holidays in Zakopane
Many travelers buy because local resorts give a vivid feeling, charge them with positivity and vigor. Zakopane is a wonderful town that will allow guests to enjoy the identity and culture of the local residents, have plenty of rides on modern ski slopes, enjoy delicious dishes Polish cuisine. This is where you can relax and unwind, body and soul.
