WINTER SPORTS - SKIING in Poland
World Wide Skiing Links
Winter sports enthusiasts will find that Poland
offers good conditions to practice their hobby, be it cross-country
skiing, recreational skiing, or downhill racing. The Tatras in southern
Poland, the youngest range in the Carpathian Mountains, have a decidedly
alpine-like character. They are snow-covered from December through
March, in upper parts the snow stays till May. The little town of
Zakopane, situated at the foot of the Tatras is called Poland's winter
capital. Numerous championships and other sporting events are often held
here. There is a great number of skiing facilities in the environs and
in the town itself as well as many hotels, pensions, and a lot of
ski-service points and shops with skiing equipment on sale. Very popular
with skiers are:
- The slopes of Mt. Kasprowy Wierch. The summit may be reached by a
cable car from Kuznice or by chair-lifts from Hala Gasienicowa and Hala
Goryczkowa. Both downhill runs lead to Kuznice: from Hala Gasienicowa
via the Uplaz Pass or from Hala Goryczkowa along the Bystra Stream
Valley via Hala Kondratowa.
- The slopes of Gubalowka Hill, the summit of which can be reached by
funicular from the very center of Zakopane.
The total length of the downhill ski runs is approximately 24 km.
Numerous ski-lifts are operated in the Tatras, the majority of which are
found in the environs of Gubalowka and Antalowka Hills, on the northern
slopes of the Gubalowka Range and the village of Bukowina Tatrzanska.
Cross-country skiing is best practiced along the Sciezka pod Reglami
trail, as well as on the slopes of Cyrhla and Gubalowka Hills. Expert
skiers may try the slalom course on Mt. Nosal.
The snow cover in the
nearby Beskidy Mountains does not last as long as in the Tatras, but
they also offer a number of attractive ski trails. The best tourist
facilities are available in the region of the Silesian Beskid (south western
Poland). Particularly attractive are the environs of both Szczyrk, with
the summit of Mt. Skrzyczne and Ustron with the summit of Mt. Czantoria
Wielka. Local chair lifts operate throughout the year.
Very exciting,
although not very easy, is the expert ski run from the top of Mt. Skrzyczne (1,257 m.) down to Szczyrk (total length: 2,800 m., difference
of altitudes: 650 m.). The summit of Mt. Skrzyczne may be reached from
Szczyrk by chair lift. An interesting collection of folk instruments may
be admired in the nearby village of Istebna, whose wooden houses are
built in the traditional mountaineer style. The village of Koniakow
located nearby, is famous for its traditional handmade lace.
In the Bieszczady Mountains (south eastern Poland) the best skiing
grounds are found on the Polonina Wetlinska, Polonina Carynska. Mt.
Szeroki Wierch, and Mts Wielka and Mala Rawka. The most scenic ski trail
(approx. 9 hours) leads from Ustrzyki Gorne to Mt. Wielka Rawka (1,307
m.) and then down, along the high mountain meadows (poloniny), to
Wetlina. Wetlina is a good starting point for trips to other mountain
regions. Cross-country skiing may be practiced in lower parts of the
Bieszczady Mountains, for example, from Smerek to Cisna and from
Jaworzec to Wolkowyja.
The Karkonosze Mountains (south western Poland) are an unquestioned
paradise for Polish enthusiasts of winter sports. The snow blankets the
mountain slopes for six months out of the year. The main winter sports
centres here are Karpacz and Szklarska Poreba. In Szklarska Poreba,
skiers can reach the summit of Mt. Szrenica (1,362 m.) by chair lift (3
km.) and then speed down back to town. Local ski facilities offer slopes
suitable for both expert skiers and beginners. From Karpacz, located at
the foot of Mt. Sniezka (1,602 m.), 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.
Also worth
recommendation in the Sudety Mountains (south western Poland) are such
winter sports centres as Zieleniec in the Orlickie Range and the Massif
of Mt. Snieznik, where there is snow cover for eight months.
Cross-country skiing may be practiced also in northern Poland,
especially in the Mazurian region - near Goldap, and in the Kaszuby
region (close to Gdansk and Debki on
the Baltic coast) - near Wiezyca. The skiing trails have different markings: black
for advanced skiers, red - difficult trail, blue - easy trail, green -
for beginners. World Wide Skiing Links
Our World Wide Skiing links directory is currently being
developed with some of the finest websites online. To partner with Meet
Poland please use the following HTML code: <a href="http://www.meetpoland.com">Poland</a>
tourist information on <a href="http://www.meetpoland.com">Meet
Poland</a> :<a target="_blank" href="http://www.meetpoland.com">
www.meetpoland.com</a>
| Email the following address with 'meetpoland.com'
in the subject: |
 |
|
