What to do in Zakopane in winter. What is worth seeing in Zakopane? Kompleks narciarski Harenda - ski resort Harenda

In the very south of Poland, next to the Carpathian Mountains, is located the small but quite famous ski resort of Zakopane.

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Zakopane (Poland) – description and location of the ski resort

If we consider the location of the town relative to the territory of Poland, then it is located 120 kilometers from, in the Tatra basin.
Unique location relative Carpathian Mountains made Zakopane winter capital th Poland. It is here that, with the onset of winter, extreme sports enthusiasts and winter sports enthusiasts from all over Eastern Europe come together.

And the reason that many choose this particular place is its cheapness relative to others ski resorts, as well as the picturesque landscapes of Tatra national park and the local flavor of a small old town.

Interesting fact: Among Polish cities, Zakopane is located higher than others - 830 meters above sea level.

An undoubted advantage is the mild climate: in winter time the temperature almost never drops below -10C, there is quite a lot of snow, and the days are mostly sunny.

Slopes, routes and lifts

This area of ​​Poland began to develop as a ski resort about 150 years ago, and now a wide variety of slopes have been created here, suitable for any level of skiing. Now there are 90 lifts here, and the length of all slopes is more than 80 kilometers.
It is worth considering that the location of the tracks allows you to move from one to another.

Note: There is no single ski pass in Zakopane; for each ski area you will need to purchase a subscription. You can choose from several options: for 1 or 2 days, for a week, or for the number of descents.

Ski areas

There are a total of 10 ski resorts here, including Antalówka, Koziniec and Gubałówka in the city center. In addition, there are also several single ski lifts. The others – Kasprowy Wierch, Butorowy and Budzowski Wierch, Nosal, Kalatowki and Kostelisko – surround the town.

It is worth noting: From almost all hotels in Zakopane you will need to get to the ski lifts by taxi or minibus. Alpine skis are available for rental for those who do not have their own.

So, these are the zones:

1. Kasprow Wierch. This is the longest track of all, the length is 9000 meters. There are 5 routes on it, which are of an average level of difficulty, and 2 difficult slalom routes - the height difference reaches 935 meters. There are 3 lifts leading to the beginning of the path. This area is the most popular, so there is often a queue outside them. The advantages of this zone include the presence of a parking lot, instructor services and equipment rental.
   
2. Butorovs Verkh. There are also 3 ski lifts, and the slopes are of an average level of difficulty - the height difference is 270 meters. Below are some very gentle routes for beginners.
   
3. Nosal. It has 10 tracks at once, one of which, the main one, is slalom. It hosts competitions of national and international importance. Here the height difference is 245 meters. Among the rest: 5 easy trails for inexperienced skiers and 4 for intermediate skiers.
   
4. Gubałówka. Very popular among tourists, largely due to the funicular, which is located in the center of the town. There are 6 trails on Gubałówka, the longest is 1600 meters long. There is also a track for snowboarding.
   
5. Kozinets. Situated on the Tatra mountain. 2 tracks are intended for beginners, and 3 more for fairly experienced skiers. Some of the trails here are artificially covered with snow.
   

Official website and ticket prices

On the official website http://zakopane.pl of the Zakopane ski resort you can get all the necessary information about the town and its activities.
First of all, information is provided on accommodation options, travel and possible entertainment. But it’s in Polish, so it’s not suitable for everyone. Another official website, but in Russian - http://zakopane.polska.ru. It is, of course, not so colorful, but everything is clear.

Here you can study the approximate costs of vacation. For example, the cost of food varies greatly in restaurants or cafes of different classes. Prices for a hot breakfast in the Zakopane ski resort start from 3 Euros, and lunch - from 7.

Renting ski boots and skis will cost an average of 4-5 Euro.

How to get there

Get to the small mountain town There are several ways - by private car, by bus or by train. Using a personal car with a navigator, this will not be difficult. In other cases, it is most convenient to focus on several major cities– Krakow, Warsaw or Poprad in Slovakia.

From last Slovak city Zakopane is only 70 kilometers away. In addition, there is an airport there where you can fly. Trains and buses run regularly from Poprad to Zakopane. If you fly to Krakow airport, then the most convenient and fastest way would be to also take the train, where Zakopane is your Ending station.It will be even cheaper, and even faster, to get from Krakow by bus. The longest journey of 455 kilometers is from Warsaw - by train or bus it will take about 9 hours.

Where to stay

Considering the popularity and level of development of the resort, here you can choose appropriate place among a large number of hotels with almost any wallet size. In addition, local residents, of whom there are about 30,000 people, rent out very inexpensive rooms. First of all, it is worth considering the location of the property. Ideally, tourists try to choose it closer to the ski lifts, since transport problems can sometimes arise. Yes, and these are extra costs.

Tips for choosing a place to live:

Take note: If you don’t decide on housing in advance, it’s quite easy to rent it right at the station.

It is during Christmas that there may not be enough snow in Zakorpan.

Most tourists come in winter. In the summer they are there too: admiring the views, walking and taking a break from the hustle and bustle. But it is in winter that the real boom comes. But just 150 years ago this settlement lived its calm and measured life. Now everything has changed - new hotels and shops are springing up everywhere.

If you are already tired of skiing, there are other entertainments here, thanks to the rapid development of infrastructure. For example, there are about 200 restaurants and bars where you can get acquainted with national cuisine, and if you really want to order fast food.

There is also a water park and several swimming pools, including one geothermal. Developed here and night life– as many as 45 nightclubs are open.

This region is also rich in its historical monuments. For example, in the village of Chocholow you can see real wooden Polish houses from the 19th century, which are still inhabited today.
In the areas of Spiš and Pieniny, there are still old knightly castles that once served for defense. There are many architectural monuments in Zakopane itself, which can be explored on foot in 1 hour.

In a picturesque valley at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, in southern Poland, lies Zakopane - the winter capital of the country. The legendary city, a resort with a special atmosphere, intrigues and wins the heart at first sight. It was from a trip to Zakopane that my husband and I began our passion for alpine skiing and sparked our love for active winter recreation.

How nice it is in Zakopane in winter!

Most famous resort Polish Tatras - Zakopane - in appearance is more reminiscent of an idyllic village. Even at the entrance to Zakopane you notice that everyone is at home and tourist complexes similar in the region.

Wooden, stone, brick, all as one with peaked roofs, porches, verandas, carved figures and ornaments. It turns out that it is prohibited to build others here in order to preserve the national Gural flavor. That's why the architectural appearance of Zakopane in winter looks like something out of a Christmas card!

Hotel Crocus is one of best hotels Zakopane
Villa "Kominiarski Wierch". The author of the project is Sebastian Piton, also known as the Podhalian Gaudi

The weather in Zakopane in mid-February was excellent: clear, sunny, snowy, windless, with an air temperature of -5 -8 degrees! According to themselves local residents the best weather for skiing in Zakopane are set from the end of January to March. But the period of New Year and Christmas holidays, beloved by many tourists, can sometimes be upsetting due to the lack of snow cover.

The winter landscapes of Zakopane are incredibly beautiful!

We settled in a small but very cozy cottage, located 200 meters from the Polana Szymoszkowa ski center. This is where we spent most recreation, skiing and snowboarding.

Of course, in the Zakopane area there are many ski resorts for every taste and skill. And, perhaps, with our zero level of skiing, it would be better to start training on the gentle slopes of Antalówka, Kozinets, the lower section of Nosal, as well as on the slopes of Kalatówka and Budzowski Wierch. But we were attracted to Polyana Shimoshkova!

We settled in this cozy cottage in Zakopane
The view from our room window was always amazing

The ski station offers a wonderful view of the Tatras, with Mount Giewont (1894 m) in the foreground. There are two tracks here: blue and red. For beginners, the flat and wide trail (blue) is 400 meters long, equipped with a 4-seater chairlift.

Experienced skiers choose a steep descent (red track) 1342 meters long from the top, equipped with a modern 6-seater lift with a windproof plastic dome. There are protective nets installed on both sides of the slope, which very usefully fence off the “specialists” rushing from the top from the edge of the forest.

Ski station Polana Szymoszkowa, Zakopane

As for ski-pass prices... There are a lot of offers: you can buy a day ski-pass (for example, from 09:00 to 18:00 the cost of skiing per adult is 85 zł), for 2, 4, 6 hours of skiing (prices from 40 zł up to 70 zł), one-time lift (4 zł on a small lift and 8 zł on a large one). If you plan to ski a lot and want to save money, buy a ski pass for several days at once. Current information For prices, please see the official website www.szymoszkowa.pl.

At Polyana Szymoszkowa you will find two trails of different difficulty levels

By the way, when purchasing a ski-pass, you will be asked for a deposit of 10 zł for a magnetic card, on which the lifts you purchased will be listed. After skiing, return the card safely and get your money.

On the slopes of Zakopane, a helmet is required for children under 12 years old; adults can ski as they wish

Be careful on the ski slopes! :)

Let's learn to snowboard!

The Polyana Shimoshkova complex is open daily from 09:00 to 22:00. Everything is provided here for comfortable skiing: the mountainside is illuminated in the evening, snow cannons work if necessary, and snowcats (snow compactors) are launched down the slope twice a day. Opposite the complex there is free parking, next to the ski lifts there are literally scattered cozy cafes, restaurants, snack bars made in the Gural style, as well as shops ski equipment and rental points.

Apres ski. Polyana Szymoszkowa, Zakopane

Renting a ski set (ski boots + skis + poles) costs ≈ 25 - 30 zł per day or 7 - 8 zł per hour; rental of a snowboard kit (snowboard boots + binding + board) ≈ 30 - 40 zł per day.

Here you can hire an instructor who will quickly teach you the intricacies of skiing. The pleasure is not cheap: the cost of an hour of training for 1 adult is 85 zł, for a couple 130 zł. Discounts are available for groups (4-6 people), as well as for beginner athletes who want to complete the instructor course from start to finish. We did not use the services of instructors, fortunately on YouTube you can find a great many educational videos on skiing and snowboarding.

For little skiers and snowboarders children's park Szymoszkowo, where kids have fun and useful time.

We go up to the red route. Polyana Szymoszkowa, Zakopane
It’s a pity we can’t see this steep descent in all its glory!

Finally, a few photos from the ski resort Nosal. The photos were taken in the evening, so I apologize for the quality. We didn’t ski here, because after the trails of Polyana Shimashkova, the easy trails of Nosal seemed too simple to us, but we were clearly not ready to descend its steep and fast slope.

The red run (length 450 m, elevation difference 133 m) is very narrow and is intended for advanced skiers. Many falls were noticed on it, so much so that people rolled head over heels, raising columns of snow and throwing ski poles into the different sides. I wish everyone not to repeat their mistakes and evaluate their level of skating honestly.

Ski resort Nosal
The gentle slopes on the lower section of Nosal are great for “dummies”
Tavern at the Nosal ski resort

However, a holiday in Zakopane will please not only fans of downhill skiing. The town attracts people with a variety of interests: connoisseurs of rural silence and fans of noisy “parties”, bohemians and people who prefer the silence of museum halls to entertainment. In short, this is a place where no one is bored.

For those who are fans of winter sports and prefer alpine skiing or snowboarding, going on holiday to Zakopane will be an excellent solution. Tours here are of interest precisely in winter, when a thick layer of snow appears on the steep slopes of the Carpathian Mountains and lovers flock to Zakopane ski holiday from different countries Europe, including from Belarus and Ukraine. And this is not surprising, because in the city and its surroundings there are more than ten modern ski resorts, where there is a place for both experienced ski athletes and novice amateurs who came to the Zakopane ski resort for the first time.

Zakopane - how to get there quickly and conveniently

The resort town of Zakopane is located in southern Poland, just a few kilometers from the border with Slovakia. This makes him even more attractive tourist place, since in just about 40 minutes you can get from there to the beautiful Slovak town - High Tatras, no less picturesque place, suitable for both family and active recreation.

Immediate big cities which you can fly to by plane, and from there you can easily get to Zakopane - these are:

• Warsaw (Poland) - 450 km;
• Krakow (Poland) - 108 km;
• Katowice (Poland) - 180 km;
• Bratislava (Slovakia) - 325 km;
• Kosice (Slovakia) - 175 km;
• Ostrava (Czech Republic) - 210 km;

Rail transport prices in Poland are among the lowest in Europe. For example, you can get from Krakow to Zakopane by train in 3 hours 40 minutes; such a trip will cost you 27 PLN per person. Of course, not as fast as we would like, but with all the amenities, since you will be transported by modern, comfortable trains of the new generation.

If you want to cut travel time by about half, you will have to use the services of local road carriers. The bus will cost you approximately 20 PLN. Most profitable terms Passenger transportation is offered by private companies: Polskibus, TaniBus and Neobus.

Trails in Zakopane

In Zakopane, as in many other ski resorts, there are so-called slopes, where each color indicates the level of difficulty. For professional skiers and snowboarders there are black and red slopes. Most of them are laid in the most high point Zakopane – Kasprowy Wierch.

Other ski resorts have slopes with varying levels of difficulty. For example, “pros” can descend from the very top of Mount Nosal, and along the lower part of the same slope there are trails for beginners. The simplest routes are Gubalowka, Antalowka and Koziniec, starting right in the city center, which are usually chosen by beginners and amateurs. Snowboarders love to visit the Gubałówka complex because there is a half-pipe here.

Each complex has several trails at its disposal. As for the greens slides, the so-called educational ones, they are present on almost all slopes, but the rest are not found everywhere:

In total, the Zakopane ski resort has 56 tracks: 23 , 17 , 6 , 7 on which there are 50 lifts. Many complexes, in addition to the main tracks, have training slopes for beginners, where you can practice before the main race.

For beginners there are special schools for learning to ride alpine skiing and snowboarding, in which you can hire an individual instructor for both yourself and your child. This service will cost 60 PLN per hour. Renting standard equipment (helmet, skis, boots) in Zakopane will cost you about 15-20 PLN.

Prices for hotels in Zakopane

Zakopane has a developed tourism infrastructure. Small hotels and private boarding houses have been built in the center and on the outskirts of the city, and there are cafes and restaurants everywhere offering dishes of national Polish and other European cuisines. Hotel prices, depending on their star rating and proximity to the center, range from 150-300 PLN, but you can find cheaper ones.

Some Poles and visitors from other countries traveling independently prefer to save on costs by renting apartments, the cost of which rarely exceeds 120 PLN. But there are also high-class hotels in Zakopane, for example, even such as a five-star hotel Litwor(though the only one) designed to satisfy the needs of particularly discerning tourists.

Best prices for booking

• Rezydencja Nosalowy Dwor from 100 EUR Zakopane ul. Oswalda Balzera 21
• Litwor from 90 EUR Zakopane Krupówki 40
• Hotel Belvedere from 130 EUR Zakopane ul. Droga Do Białego, 3

• Grand Hotel Stamary from 120 EUR Zakopane st. Kościuszki, 19
• Art & Spa from 87 EUR Zakopane st. Kościuszki, 18
• Hotel Tatra from 65 EUR Zakopane st. Cyrhla, 34

• Hotel Logos from 53 EUR Zakopane st. Grunwaldzka, 10
• Hotel Willa Pod Skocznią from 57 EUR Zakopane ul. Piłsudskiego, 59A
• Pensjonat Biały Potok from 62 EUR Zakopane ul. Droga Do Białego, 7

• Hotel Kasprowy Wierch from 45 EUR Zakopane Krupówki 50 B
• Hotel Rysy from 180 EUR Zakopane ul. Goszczyńskiego, 7
• Hotel Wersal from 69 EUR Zakopane st. Tetmajera, 14a

There is everything for organizing a good holiday, both on the ski slopes and in other interesting places. There is nothing better than getting from the frosty air into the warm atmosphere of a cafe, bar or restaurant to sit in pleasant company, enjoying local cuisine and drinks. Trips to a ski resort are also a kind of therapeutic tours that contribute to the healing of soul and body.

And besides, there are three dozen discos, a couple of dozen nightclubs and more than ten entertainment centers. In short, there is entertainment for every taste and age. Therefore, here you can combine business with pleasure in the most wonderful way, getting a lot of all kinds of impressions that will be remembered for a long time and will make you come back here again.

Weather in Zakopane Poland

The wonderful weather of Zakopane provides tourists with an excellent opportunity to relax in this great place, both in winter and summer time year, among majestic mountains surrounded by the most picturesque landscapes. Mountain air Corpat and a healthy lifestyle help to escape from everyday worries and problems, and it is also an excellent means for improving the health of the human body.

It is better to plan your vacation for the period from mid-November to March, when the weather in the Zakopane ski resort is favorable have a great holiday filled with a lot of vivid impressions.

With the first snow, almost all ski resorts in Zakopane open. Around the middle or end of November, the air temperature drops and the mountain slopes are covered with a dense layer of snow. In early winter, ample snowfall provides excellent snow coverage for skiing and snowboarding.

By the end of December, the thickness of the snow cover reaches one meter. Over the following winter months, the snow level constantly increases and in February it is already almost two meters. Snow melting in Zakopane occurs at the beginning of March, thereby marking the end of the ski season.

Night and daytime average temperature V C° by month

Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	But I
+1	0	-2	+3	+7	+13	+18	+21	+20	+17	+10	+6
-5	-7	-10	-6	-1	+4	+7	+10	+6	+4	+1	-2

Weather and air temperature from November to March

The weather in Zakopane is remarkable in that the air temperature in winter rarely drops below -10°C. Sub-zero temperatures in the mountains at an altitude of 1600 m are recorded at the end of December, January and February, rarely in March. March is characterized by temperature ranges from 0°C to +4°C, and November – from 0°C to -5°C.

Due to the not very low temperatures, it is a real pleasure to be on the Carpathian mountain slopes, since the air here is very soft and does not burn your face while skiing from the top of the mountain. Contrary to popular belief, the bright February sun does not hurt your eyes, so glare on the snow does not cause discomfort. In the first months of winter, heavy snowfalls are observed, but they are not an obstacle to active recreation.

The largest influx of tourists visiting the Zakopane ski resort is observed in January. This month of the year is celebrated as the most comfortable for winter sports. The weather is sunny throughout the month, with continuous clouds being a rare exception.

Zakopane Poland - beautiful view from the top of the mountain

As soon as the first cold weather arrives, it's time to start planning winter holidays.
Some people, with the onset of cold weather, strive to go to warm places, for example, Dubai, while others, on the contrary, take out ski pants, gloves, and begin to look for new interesting ones. ski slopes. And this option is quite good: summer should be with warm sun, and winter with crisp, clean snow.
Today's winter ski holiday enthusiasts have a good choice modern ski resorts of different sizes, with different costs of services provided.

In this article we will talk about one such resort, which includes several ski resorts. This resort is the winter capital of Poland, the city of Zakopane.

Why is Zakopane so attractive for ski lovers?

Zakopane is considered the highest located city in Poland.

This guarantees a stable snow cover, but at the same time a fairly comfortable temperature in winter: on the coldest days the temperature does not drop below -10° C. Ski season it lasts for five whole months: from the end of November to the end of April.

This city has a glorious sporting history

In the winter of 1938-39. The 9th World Alpine Ski Championships took place in Zakopane.
The city was also one of six candidate cities to host the 2006 Winter Olympic Games (but then Italian Turin won).
In winter, Zakopane regularly hosts the Polish Championship, the World Cup and the Continental Cup in ski jumping.
All this confirms that Zakopane has great ski potential and speaks of the high class of the local slopes.

Zakopane is not only about skiing, it is also about the comfort of a European city

Many ski resorts are located far from cities. Zakopane is not like that: city life flows there, and a number of ski resorts such as Gubalowka, Antalowka and Koziniec are located in close proximity to the city center.

Easy to get to Zakopane

Although not in Zakopane international airport, the railway leads here.
Therefore, if you fly to Krakow airport or Katowice airport, you can get here by train.
The train from Krakow to Zakopane takes just over three hours, a ticket for one adult costs 23.60 PLN (approximately 5.5 euros).
There is no direct train from Katowice to Zakopane, but you can get there with a change in Krakow.

We talked in detail about how to use trains in Krakow in this article: “Commuter trains in Krakow - how to use and in what cases?”

You can rent a car at Krakow airport (there are offers from 15 euros per day), and use it to get to Zakopane in two hours. If you have your own car, then it will be even easier and more comfortable for you.

Zakopane has ski slopes for every taste

Simple and complex, flat and steep, long and short. In terms of difficulty, there are both simple (green and blue), medium (red), and high difficulty (black). Along with the very crowded ski centers in Zakopane, there are also less popular and therefore freer ones.

Ski schools and instructors will help those who have never skied before or do not feel very confident.

The presence of a large number of ski resorts (about 10) makes competition between them natural and gives each tourist the opportunity to choose something to suit his taste.

Zakopane - a world-famous resort

Like any other promoted tourist resort Zakopane has developed infrastructure: many hotels (from private guest houses and cottages to upscale five-star hotels), cafes and restaurants, tourist attractions (water park, clubs, museums). By the way, you can relax here not only in winter; in summer, life in Zakopane is also in full swing and there is something to do.

Ski resorts Zakopane

The choice of ski resorts in Zakopane is so extensive that it can be disorienting: 10 ski centers There are 90 lifts in the region. Complexes of different sizes and degrees of promotion. Some are located within the city, and some are located far from the center. Are you a lover of relaxed skiing or an extreme slalom skier? Perhaps you are one of those for whom skiing is associated only with sleds, or, on the contrary, are you someone for whom the phrase “black slope” causes a pleasant shiver in the knees? Be that as it may, there is something for everyone in Zakopane, believe me.

We will tell you about the largest and most popular ski centers, and you choose what you like best. As the saying goes: “Aware is forearmed.”

Before moving on to a review of Zakopane ski resorts, it is worth noting some important points.

1. Individual ski centers are usually located at a considerable distance from each other. Therefore, it will not be possible to ride one and quickly switch to another.
2. Each complex has its own lifts and its own Ski passes (tickets for travel on lifts and cable cars).
3. Complexes can differ significantly in the quality and complexity of the slides and the type of lifts.

Ski complex "Nosal"

A fairly well-known complex located near the city center, but currently not operating at full capacity. The slalom course is of high difficulty, and the chairlift serving it is temporarily out of order.

The low difficulty of the gentle slopes attracts beginner skiers.

Number and difficulty of trails	5 blue and green tracks with a length from 145 m to 250 m. Height difference from 14 m to 33 m.
Lifts	5 rope tow lifts. The price of one journey is 2 PLN (0.5 euros). Price of a one day pass in high season— 75 PLN (18 euros).
Equipment rental
Clothes rental	Jacket - 40 PLN per day (9.5 euros). Helmet - 5 PLN per day (1 euro). Mittens - 15 PLN per day (3.5 euros). Points - 10 PLN per day (2.5 euros).
Service on the trails	Artificial snow cannons, lighting, snowcats.
Infrastructure	Ski and snowboard rentals, cafes and restaurants, shops, mini-hotels and inns, instructors.
Location	The lower part of the slope of Mount Nosal. Distance to the city center is 2.3 km.

Ski slopes on the Kasprowy Wierch mountain

The slope of Kasprowy Wierch Peak attracts experienced skiers. 3 challenging trails starting at an altitude of 1987 meters above sea level and descending to different directions. Picturesque slopes, many difficult untreated areas - what could be better for an experienced skier?

Number and difficulty of trails	3 tracks of black and red type. The length of the longest route is 9000 meters, the height difference is 940 meters. At the foot there is a couple blue trails with drag lifts.
Lifts	1 gondola cable car with a transfer station. 2 chair lifts. T-bar lifts at the foot of the slope. Ski pass for one day - 130 PLN (31 euros).
Equipment rental	Ski kit - 37 PLN per day (9 euros). Snowboarding – 37 PLN per day (9 euros).
Clothes rental	No
Service on the trails	No
Infrastructure	Near Kuznice station there is a ski and snowboard rental point, cafes, mini-hotels and hotels. On top station- cafes and fast food.
Location	Slope of Mount Kasprowy Wierch. The distance from the lower station of the gondola cable car to the city center is 4.3 km. Minibuses go from the city to Kuznice station for 3 PLN (0.7 euros).

CC BY-SA 4.0

Ski complex "Buturovy Verkh"

The complex is located some distance from the city center, so it is not as crowded as Nosal. Trails of medium difficulty level.

Nearest large hotel: Szymoszkowa Residence Resort & SPA.

Number and difficulty of trails	One route with a length of 1646 meters and a height difference of 272 meters is of the blue type with a branch of the red type. + 260-meter blue track.
Lifts	Double chairlift on the main route. There is a rope tow at the bottom.
Equipment rental	Eat
Clothes rental	Eat
Service on the trails	At the bottom of the slope there are snow cannons and artificial lighting.
Infrastructure	Ski and snowboard rental, restaurants and cafes, mini-hotels and inns, instructors.
Location	Buturova Slope Upper. From the bottom station of the chairlift to the city center is 3.6 km.

Ski complex "Polyana Shimoshkova"

A modern, well-equipped complex is located away from the city center. Good, safe chairlifts. There is an unusual service nearby - a geothermal pool. Near the lower station there is a Kids Park - for little skiers.

Nearest large hotel: Mercure Kasprowy Zakopane.

Number and difficulty of trails	One red track that turns into blue. One track is completely blue. The total length of the routes is 2.3 km, the difference in heights on the main route is 261 meters.
Lifts	Two chairlifts: four-seater and double. The cost of a one-day ski pass is 100 PLN (23.5 euros)
Equipment rental	Ski kit - 37 PLN per day (9 euros). Snowboarding – 37 PLN per day (9 euros).
Clothes rental	Eat
Service on the trails	Snow cannons, artificial lighting.
Infrastructure	At the lower station there are ski and snowboard rental points, cafes and restaurants, shops, a hotel, instructors, and parking. At the top station there is a restaurant with panoramic views and a cafe.
Location	Distance to the city center is 2.6 km.

Ski resort "Gubalowka"

The complex is popular because a funicular line is laid in its upper part. Around this complex there is a lot of skiing and “non-skiing” entertainment for children and adults: a rope park, a racing track, paintball, many cafes and restaurants, a snow park for children, ski slopes.

Nearest large hotel: Bellamonte Aparthotel.

Number and difficulty of trails	2 red slopes and 4 blue ones, as well as several slopes for beginner skiers. The total length of the tracks is 6400 m, the longest of them is 1600 m. The maximum height difference is 300 meters.
Lifts	In addition to the funicular, there are drag lifts in the area of ​​the upper station. A one-day pass for the funicular and ski lifts costs 70 PLN (17.5 Euro)
Equipment rental	Eat
Clothes rental	Eat
Service on the trails	Snow cannons, snowcat.
Infrastructure	Ski and snowboard rentals, cafes and restaurants, shops, hotels and cottages, instructors, lots of entertainment.
Location	Distance to the city center is 3 km.

Other ski centers

As you can see, the choice of skiing areas is quite impressive. But that's not all. In addition to the large complexes described above, there are several smaller centers and just slopes. Among them: Pardałówka, Koziniec and Antalówka. We recommend that you read them separately on the corresponding pages.

In addition to those located in Zakopane, there are also some ski centers in settlements outside the city, but we decided not to include them in this review.

How to get to Zakopane

By plane to Krakow

The closest airport to Zakopane is Krakow-Balice Airport.

And from there you can get to Zakopane in two ways:

1. By train
There's one right at the airport railroad station“Kraków lotnisko/Airport”, we sit there and go to the “Kraków Płaszów” station, where we change trains to “Zakopane”. The whole journey will cost you 23.60 PLN (about 5.5 euros). Tickets can be bought directly at the airport station.

2. Rent a car
You can rent a car at Krakow airport from 15 euros per day. You can reach Zakopane in about two hours. Having a car will give you additional freedom of movement, which in the case of a trip to Zakopane is a big plus.

3. By bus

The European low-cost bus airline operates flights from Krakow airport directly to Zakopane. The cost of tickets is from (the earlier you buy a ticket, the cheaper it will cost).

By bus

You can look for direct flights (operating from Kyiv, Lviv) on, or by bus to Krakow, and then by train/car/another bus.

Your car

Having your own or rented car will give you an additional advantage. Because you will be able to move freely between different ski centers and visit even those that are located far from the city.

Where to stay in Zakopane

There shouldn't be any problems with this for sure. The choice of accommodation facilities in Zakopane is very large.

Do you like it to be expensive and of high quality? There are five-star hotels in Zakopane:
Rezydencja Nosalowy Dwór and Rezydencja II Nosalowy Dwór: located in close proximity to the Nosal ski resort, cost double room starts from 130 euros per day.
Hotel Rysy is located in Zakopane itself, one kilometer from railway station, and ten minutes walk from the Water Park. The price of a double room is from 100 euros per day.

If you are traveling with a large family or group, then it will be convenient for you to stay at guest house or villa. We advise you to look for accommodation facilities with your own kitchen, or at least a kettle in the room (this is a very pressing issue during winter holidays).

Also available on airbnb.com a large number of offers for renting apartments and cottages, which is also very convenient for large companies (if you have not yet registered on airbnb.com, then register using our link, then you will receive a good discount on your first stay).

• Search and book rooms in advance. The specifics of holidays in Zakopane are such that people plan their vacation long before it starts, so during the peak season all the best accommodation facilities have already been purchased.
• Pay close attention to the location of the object. To make it convenient for you to get to the ski slopes you want to ski on. We advise you to first select ski resort, and then find suitable hotels nearby. To do this, under the descriptions of ski centers, we make selections of nearby accommodation facilities. The list of centers can be found on this page, which is focused on best cafes and restaurants, souvenir shops, bank branches and other services.
  

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There is hardly a person who has not heard about the winter capital of Poland - city ​​of Zakopane. The Poles themselves play on the name of this wonderful mountain town with a certain amount of irony: “Tso zakopane in Zakopane?” (what is buried in Zakopane), “Tso eats grane in Zakopane?” (which they play in Zakopane). However, such irony in relation to one of the largest and most famous winter resorts The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is quite clear. Zakopane is a place where tourism has destroyed real originality. A place where the rich build terrible things with their appearance villas and hotels, and the quarrels of the Gurals end with the closure of the ski slopes. A city in which under no circumstances should you sing the popular folk song “Guralyu, chy qi ne pity” (guralyu, aren’t you sorry). But, despite all these unpleasant moments, Zakopane was and remains a real winter fairy tale.

Winter's Tale Polish Tatras.

For most of our readers, Zakopane is associated primarily with winter sports. This is partly true. This second largest city (after Novago Targa) is truly famous for its snowy winters, long ski season and a huge number ski resorts located around it. By the way, many ski lovers believe that Zakopane itself is a ski resort, but this is not entirely true. The city actually functions as an administrative center, and all the bases are scattered around it between the picturesque slopes of the Tatra peaks. There is, of course, a base with the same name, but it is somewhat lost in the list of other ski centers. So, if you get it into your head to look for a place for a winter holiday, take a closer look at the list of ski resorts in the outskirts of Zakopane. Among them you will find quite worthy and modern centers, such as , or .

Zakopane is a city!

Local residents complain. The pursuit of the “long zloty” turned the once cozy and calm city into “Babylonian pandemonium.” Now it is kitsch and commercial. But there were times when gurals (real ones, not in disguise) lived quietly in this picturesque corner of Podhale, raised sheep and affectionate short horses, and practiced traditional crafts. And they did not know that in the middle of the 20th century their beloved town would turn into one of the most famous European resorts.

The history of Zakopane is very interesting. In 1578, King Stefan Batory ordered the founding of a town at the foot of the Tatra Mountains on the site of an ancient Gural settlement. The Gurale were not too happy about this, but they accepted the royal decree. And after about 50 years, serfs and burghers began to arrive in Zakopane, escaping from the tyranny of the gentry and clergy. The city began to live its own quiet life. He calmly survived multiple wars that raged on the territory of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and it would seem that nothing could ever disturb his peaceful atmosphere. But the 19th century came. The unique location of Zakopane will appeal to ski lovers. The first, still very primitive, ski resorts began to open. Over time, the enterprising residents of Zakopane realized that they were dealing with a very popular view sports and put business on stream. If only they knew how this would turn out for them...

Everything for tourists.

How more tourists- the more income. But, if the first modest attempts to transform Zakopane into resort town had virtually no influence on its change, then in the middle of the 19th century everything changed. Already in 1889, the population in Zakopane was 3,000 people (isn’t that a lot for a tiny mountain town?). Tourists poured into the city, followed by traders and businessmen. The unique climate, picturesque location and mountain flavor were quickly reflected in commercial activities. Ski slopes around Zakopane multiplied with incredible speed. It grew so much that in the first half of the 20th century, three World Ski Competitions were held in Zakopane - in 1929 and 1939. One could forget about the quiet life in the Tatra town forever.

Tourists poured into the city, followed by traders and businessmen.

During World War II, Zakopane was captured by the Nazis in the first days. And again, thanks to its favorable location, it was not destroyed by them. Moreover, the authorities of the Third Reich took the possibility of skiing very seriously (it is a secret that there was a certain cult of sports in the German army). In addition, a transshipment station was built in this area military base, from which troops were transported across the Tatras to Hungary.

After the end of the war, Zakopane quite soon “came to its senses” and began to grow with renewed vigor. But - now under the new government. Already in 1962, the city again hosted guests from all over the world as part of the International Ski Olympics. Since then, the fate of Zakopane was completely sealed - winter holidays became the main prerogative of this once quiet and peaceful city.

The fate of Zakopane was sealed.

But Zakopane is not only about skis and snowboards. Tourists come here who appreciate the charm of the authentic Gural culture, regional cuisine (partially turned into fast food), and a hospitable and friendly atmosphere. This city, despite the rampant commercialization, still has a piece of that unique atmosphere that is so inherent small towns Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. What else to do in Zakopane. Besides, how about skiing? What interesting things will this offer us? amazing city and what should you beware of when walking along its streets?

What to do in Zakopane besides skiing?

The main street in Zakopane is Krupówka. A long pedestrian avenue, more than a kilometer long. On both sides of Krupówka there are numerous shops, restaurants, boarding houses, cafeterias and hotels. Walking around Krupówka, you will definitely encounter incredible rudeness from local souvenir sellers. They will surround you like annoying flies and will vying with each other to offer to buy “authentic” souvenirs, on a good half of which the very eloquent inscription “made in China” hurts the eyes. Among all this madness, costumed characters from Tatra legends, dressed in faded rags of indeterminate colors, walk imposingly. The coachmen, standing by their horse-drawn carriages, will invite you to take a “unique” horseback tour of the city for a very “modest” fee. The kiosks sell “vep meat” and “venison”, rolled into a wheat flatbread similar to shawarma. Street musicians in Gural rats (hats) enthusiastically perform folk tunes on instruments that are not quite Gural. Krupówka makes noise, flickers lights, pushes with her elbows, grumbles and curses in all European languages ​​at the same time.

Krupówka makes noise, flickers, pushes and curses simultaneously in several languages.

Kosteliska Street serves as the old part of the city. There are delightful wooden houses built 150-100 years ago. Initially, artists and performers who were in love with mountain landscapes and mountain customs settled on Kostelstka. But later, businessmen took a fancy to this street and began to build their personal villas on both sides of it. However, this had a positive effect on the atmosphere of the city. Kostelska was considered an elite area; commoners were practically not allowed here; crime, as such, was not observed here. Now on Kostelska Street there are the most respectable private boarding houses, the cost of living in which will cost you quite a tidy sum. But what is money compared to an overnight stay at the Koliba or Atma villa! Ancient buildings with a traditional “Zakopane” flavor, as if they came straight out of a picture. Feel like a real gentleman or just stroll along this beautiful street with a camera.

Elite houses in an elite area.

You don’t often see real gorals in Zakopane. More precisely, they are here at every turn, but they quite successfully hide their nationality. Why? The answer is simple. If the Goral appears on the streets of Zakopane in his traditional attire, tourists will rush at him like kites at a rabbit. And, of course, they will understand that the “gural” who just offered them to take a photo with the Tatra Mountains in the background is nothing more than a pathetic fake. Therefore, the Zakopane gorals prefer to dress on weekdays in clothes that are more familiar to our eyes. But on major holidays, such as Christmas or Resurrection, or during folk festivals, Zakopane is literally filled with proud residents of the Polish Tatras, who parade with whole families in all their traditional glory. All this is accompanied by folk music, drawn-out chants in a not very understandable local dialect and other enchanting additions inherent only to true gurals. If we talk about their dialect, then even the Poles themselves have difficulty understanding it, and what can we say about foreign guests. By the way, the indigenous inhabitants of the Tatras consider the song “Gural, chy qi not sorry,” which is quite popular in Poland, to be offensive. So, even if you know her, under no circumstances sing in front of the gurals. You risk getting “bartkov on the roof” (with a hatchet in the lower back).

Real gurales go out into the city only on holidays.

Zakopane is a special place. Only here you will see a symbiosis of tradition and modernity, culture and commerce. The extraordinary popularity of this town at the very foot of the Tatra Mountains is still not clear to many Poles. It would seem – what’s so special about it in this Zakopane? Are there many such cities in Poland? This means that there is something in it that attracts not only ski lovers, but also crowds of average onlookers who came to look at the Tatras and drink beer in one of the local pubs, which, however, was previously slightly diluted with water by a cunning bartender in a Janosik costume .