In this complete guide to skiing in Poland, we’ll run through everything you need to know before experiencing the Polish winter, including which areas of Poland are best suited to skiing, as well as the top Polish ski resorts. Despite not having the sort of counts you’d expect from resorts in The Alps, Three Valleys, or resort towns like Chamonix, Poland has become an incredibly popular skiing destination for a wide range of winter sports lovers worldwide. One of the best things about the resorts in Poland is that they only cost a fraction of what you’d expect from the more well-known ski resorts in places like Austria or France.
Before getting started, it’s important to realise that the mountains in Poland aren’t quite as high as those in the Alps, which means the season isn’t as long because the mountains don’t stay as cold or have snow on them for as long. The typical skiing season in Poland runs between December and April, but the best time to go is usually towards the end of January to late February. Anyway, let’s get cracking on which Polish mountains and ski resorts you should be hitting this winter.
Bialka Tatrzanska | Beginner skiing in Poland
Elevation: 910 metres | Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Bialka Tatrzanska boasts more than 16 km of linked runs throughout the resort and is currently the biggest single ski centre in the country. It’s a short trip away from the more well-known city of Zakopane, set amid the northern part of the High Tatras, home to Poland’s highest mountain, Rysy. Krakow is also a short trip away, so you could spend time in the city, and make a day trip to do some skiing at Bialka Tatrzanska. Bialka Tatrzanska is made up of three resorts combined into one.
The first is the novice-friendly Bania, then Kotelnica, followed by Kaniowka to the south and were linked back in 2019 to form a single resort with multiple runs and beautiful pistes to meander on down. There is a range of runs suiting everyone from absolute novices to intermediates who are working their way up to advanced. The Bania section is home to various easy green runs, while the other two incorporate longer blue runs and more challenging red runs. Unfortunately for the higher levels, you won’t find any black runs in these parts, the runs simply aren’t high enough.
If you’re a Nordic skier looking for cross-country slopes and long-stretching terrain, you’ll find one cross-country track located at the end of the resort at the top of Kotelnica. Unfortunately, there is a lack of off-piste options here, which the resort has tried to make up for with the series of pipes, rails, and a dedicated drag lift located at the terrain park.
Travellers best-suited to Bialka Tatrzanska
Bialka Tatrzanska is the ideal spot for novice skiers, especially if you’re a couple looking for a romantic, secluded getaway where you can try the local cuisine and learn to ski together. The majority of restaurants in the area serve highland cuisine, which includes pots of zurek, smoked cheeses, and of course, pierogi.
There are a wide variety of eateries and restaurants in this area of Poland, where you and your loved one can spend a romantic evening after hitting the slopes. One of the most popular hotels in the area for romantic couples is Hotel Bania Thermal & Ski, which is located within walking distance of the centre of Bialka Tatrzanska and offers easy access to hot pools and a wellness centre.
Kasprowy Wierch
Elevation: 2,000 metres | Level: Advanced and Experts
Kasprowy Wierch is widely considered to be the best ski resort in Poland, home to a few soaring peaks with a view of the quaint Zakopane town below and a short drive from the capital city of Krakow. Kasprowy Wierch is possibly the only resort in the country where the skiing in Poland is on par with at least some of the challenging red runs along well-known slopes. A single gondola serves the resort, running from just outside Zakopane, by the small village of Kuznice. The gondola runs from there to the top of one of the Western Tatras peaks, where you can access all four runs from.
Thanks to the mountain peak being close to 2,000 metres high, it’s understandable that the weather up top can be quite unpredictable and there’s been known to be signs of snow through to the beginning of summer. It’s important to check the weather and local reports ahead of time since the resort and peaks are all situated inside the national park, which doesn’t allow snow cannons. Without snow cannons, skiers are forced to rely on the natural snowfall, which varies thanks to unpredictable weather. The best time to hit the slopes is usually towards the end of December and starts to wind down at the end of March.
Which visitors will do best here?
The best thing about Kasprowy Wierch is, it isn’t only suited to winter sports. Thanks to this Polish mountain terrain and the national park, the lift runs year-round and ample people visit during the off-season to hike the surrounding area and head up to the summit to see the view of the town.
Kasprowy Wierch is best-suited to die-hard adventure fans. If you’re heading there for the skiing, make sure you’ve got plenty of experience behind you and expect tough runs along the way. For those of you heading during the other months of the year, pack a pair of sturdy hiking shoes and enjoy the terrain. Resort Kasprowy Wierch is one of the most popular choices on KAYAK among regular visitors.
Karpacz Ski Resort
Elevation: 1,350 metres | Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Karpacz Ski Resort is a well-known ski resort in the Jelenia Gora County in southwestern Poland and the area is one of the most important centres for skiing in this part of the country. It’s located in the Karkonosze Mountains and Mount Sniezka is the highest peak, sitting close to 1,600 metres along the border of the Czech Republic. Despite there being no championship slaloms or any difficult black runs along the slopes, the resort does combine good links with Czech resorts, wonderful scenery, and a long spa history that make the area well worth a visit for anyone wanting to get away and also learn how to ski. One of the biggest benefits of this resort is that it’s a whole lot quieter than any other ski resort near Zakopane.
Like the rest of the mountains in Poland, the Karpacz mountains are subject to inconsistent weather patterns, but thanks to the relatively low altitude, snowstorms don’t tend to wreak as much havoc as those with a higher altitude. There’s also fewer issues with the powder since 2020 thanks to snowmaking on the main runs, which is often missing from other Polish resorts. Although the season runs from the beginning of December until mid-April, the best time to go is often toward the end of January. The Kopa arena is widely regarded as the best place to ski in Karpacz and is designed similarly to Czech resorts in nearby areas.
There are two summits to choose from, the highest being Kopa, which offers an “easy” black run heading down into two red runs and finally two blue runs. The second option is Zlotowka, more suited to less advanced skiers and ends with a blue piste after going through an intermediate-friendly red run. despite there being cross-runs, the only way to switch from Zlotowka to Kopa is to go to the base level and make the switch from there.
If you’re an absolute beginner, check out Winterpol White Jar in Karpacz. This resort is a much smaller centre with only a couple of smaller runs that are all linked together by a single chairlift. The modern and fast chairlift runs up to a top station that overlooks the Karkonosze. There is a long blue run straight through the trees, which suits beginners the best, as well as two red runs that are a little quicker but easily manageable for those with a bit more experience.
Szczyrk Mountain Resort
Elevation: 702 metres | Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Szczyrk Mountain Resort is situated to the southwest of Krakow amid the stunning Beskid Slaski mountains and offers 27 lifts and a vertical descent of more than 700 metres. The most attractive things about this resort are that it’s close to Krakow and tends to be much less busy than other resorts in Poland, especially toward the end of January when skiers all head out to Zakopane. Szczyrk Mountain Resort is a medium-sized resort that offers runs of varying difficulties, as well as six cross-country routes covering close to 40 km for the long-distance skiers among you.
Season typically opens around December 3rd and ends around April 10th, and the best time to go is when it’s at its quietest, around the middle of January. January is usually when there is the most snow in Szczyrk, with roughly 3.5 days of snow per week and close to 17 cm of snowfall.
Have a gander at our KAYAK hotels in Szczyrk and start planning your trip today. A couple of the most preferred hotels in the area include Hotel Meta Resort & Vine Spa and Karolinka Guest House, which are both a short trip away from the resort.
What type of travellers does Szczyrk Mountain Resort suit?
Szczyrk Mountain Resort and the rest of Szczyrk are best suited to visitors looking for some adventure in a remote setting without many tourists around. Even though this area is considered by many to be the ski capital of Poland, most foreign skiers prefer the slopes of Zakopane and later in the season tends to be a quiet getaway for those in Szczyrk. Not only is Szczyrk great for winter sports, but it also offers ample hiking opportunities during the summer that suit hikers of all levels. The main attraction in the town is the Beskid Śląski Mountains, which you’ll ski down during winter and hike up during summer.
Szymoszkowa
Elevation: 1,126 metres | Level: Beginners and Families
When it comes to skiing in Zakopane, the Szymoszkowa Ski Resort is about as close as you can get. It’s within walking distance of the base of the runs and offers two chairlifts and a magic carpet to the three designated pistes. The best thing about Szymoszkowa Ski Resort is that it’s suited to a family of beginners and provides some of the most spectacular views over the High Tatras, with a variety of ski schools to learn from. Despite the relatively small size of Szymoszkowa Ski Resort, there’s plenty to be said about it, including its incredibly priced tuition and ski passes, which you won’t be able to beat anywhere else in the country.
Cross-country skiers will want to give this a miss since there are no cross-country tracks or dedicated terrain parks available. During high-season months, there’s a dedicated slalom section open, and floodlights make sure the entire resort is lit up at night. Thanks to the location being outside the national park, there’s no restriction on snowmaking, so you’ll have ample quality powder available to tackle while you’re in town.
Where are the best places to stay near Szymoszkowa Ski Resort?
With Zakopane being one of the most popular places to visit in Poland, you’ll be glad to know there are various hotels and stays in the area that is a short walk away from Szymoszkowa. The Mercure Zakopane Kasprowy is the closest option and offers a ski-in and ski-out experience. Mercure sits at the base of the slopes and is a well-appointed building with a rustic look and feel.
What to do in Zakopane outside of ski season?
Zakopane might just be one of the most revered resort towns in the country and no matter what time of year you come to the area, you’ll have plenty of activities to indulge in. During the summer, you have to head out to the Tatra National Park and explore one of Poland’s greatest wilderness attractions. The glacial lakes are well worth a visit, and if you can brave the icy cold water, have a dip, or kayak across. One of the most visited places in Zakopane, apart from the mountains, of course, is Kościeliska, the oldest street in town and said by many to be the place where Zakopane began.
When you’re ready to unwind, spend time soaking in a thermal pool, or visit one of the many steam rooms or saunas around and get your heat fix.
Ski resorts around the world
Now that you’ve learned what you need to learn about the best places to go skiing in Poland, have a look at some other ski resorts in the world. We have various travel writers who’ve scoured different countries and continents to find the best ski resorts to suit your needs. If you’re planning on travelling with your family, check out a few of the 10 best European ski resorts for families, which includes resorts in France, Switzerland, Italy, and Austria. Take your family on an unforgettable adventure through Europe and explore the best the mountains have to offer.
One of my favourite pieces on the site is a list of the best ski resorts in Italy, including areas like Monte Cervino, Aosta Valley, and Lombardy, among others. Spend your time in Italy doing more than eating pizza and pasta and experience a few of the incredible runs the country has too. The best ski resorts in France offers the opportunity to enjoy the perfect winter holiday in the land of love with families, friends, or loved ones.
If Europe isn’t your thing and you’re looking to shake things up a little, have a look at our ski resorts in Australia article to experience the Aussies in a completely new light.
