WINTER SPORTS - SKIING

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.

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