Skiing

Skiing in Poland If you would like a winter break away from the pricey European resorts, then ski holiday in Eastern Europe might well be worth trying. Thinking about Poland the best time to come is from December till March as there is plenty of snow and good skiing conditions during the winter. But you can expect snow on this terrain in May as well. Poland offers cross-country skiing, recreational skiing or downhill racing.
You can choose from fashionable towns such as Zakopane (called "Winter Capital of Poland") to smaller, atmospheric villages. Zakopane is located in a mid-mountain valley in the southern part of the Podhale region, with views of the 2,500 meters high Tatras peaks. The town receives around 2 million people during a year, while its residents are only 30 thousand. From Zakopane tourists have access to over 50 ski lifts and slopes, prepared for both experts and beginners. The most popular are Mt Butorowy Wierch, Mt Kasprowy Wierch and Mt Nosal. The town also gives you a chance to get a feel for the region's heritage. You can visit Tatra Museum, which has highlanders’ costumes and historic interiors, a collection of folk art and other artefacts. In Zakopane you can't be bored as there are plenty of cultural places (galleries, museums) and lovely restaurants, cafés, pubs to eat and drink.
Skiing in Poland If you don't like crowds you can choose less-frequented resorts like Szczyrk located in Beskid Slaski Moutains (max. 1,200 metres). It is very picturesque destination, you can ski on surrounded slopes like Mt Skrzyczne and Mt Klimczok or if you are advanced skier try yourself in Polish Winter Olympics representatives training centre. Another exciting ski-village nearby is Ustron and Wisla as well, the home town of Adam Malysz- the great polish ski jumper. If you are interested in local folk art keep in mind that in a close distance there are Koniaków, where you can see traditional handmade lace and Istebna, where the wooden houses are built in the traditional mountaineer style. In this village you can also find a collection of folk instruments.
It is also worth to visit Szklarska Poreba in the Karkonoszne Mountains and nearby Karpacz. Both characterise unique climates, long sunny days and low temperatures. The snow blankets the mountain slopes for six months out of the year. From Szkalarska Poręba skiers go to Mt. Szrenica (1,362 m) by chair lift (3 km) and from Karpacz a chair lift carries skiers to the top of Mt. Mala Kopa (1,375 m), from where they may choose one of several ski runs having a total length of approx. 10 km. There is also the possibility of cross-country skiing.
Skiing in Poland Less famous but not less attractive are Bieszczady Mountains (south eastern Poland). The skiing destinations are Mt. Szeroki Wierch, Mts Wielka and Mala Rawka, Polonina Wetlinska and Polonina Carynska. The most picturesque trail leads from Ustrzyki Gorne, through Mt. Wielka Rawka to Wetlina. It takes approximately 9 hours.
There is also the possibility to combine sport with rest. Just come to one of the spa resorts. The most popular is Krynica Zdroj in Kryniczanka Valley. There you have guaranteed well-equipped slopes nearby (e.g. Jaworzyna Krynicka) and renewed treatment centres. Tourists are drawn by the clean air and mineral springs.