Zakopane, a small Polish town, is at the foot of the famous Tatras Mountains. It is around two hours of driving from Krakow. Village is called the winter capital city of Poland. Zakopane has several small skiing areas in and outside of the town.
Zakopane ski areas
Szymoszkowa Ski Station - slope for beginners as well as intermediate skiers with a beautiful view of the Tatra mountains. Two chairlifts are available for skiers and snowboarders. The large six-person lift to the top of Gubałówka is an excellent suggestion for more advanced skiers and snowboarders as well as tourists looking for incredible views. The smaller lift running halfway up the slope is ideal for beginners. At the lower chairlift station is KidsPark Szymoszkowa, including a belt lift for the youngest skiers and snowboarders.
The Harenda ski resort is located on the south-eastern slopes of Rafaczówki, an extension of the Gubałówka ridge. Skiers have at their disposal three drag lifts and a 4-seater chair lift. The slope is illuminated (open until 9 pm) and has a snowmaking system. There is a one hour break at 3 pm to groom the snow. Runs at Harenda are intended for both beginners (3 green trails) and experienced skiers. For the latter, the black route, which hosts an International Ski Federation competition, is particularly attractive.
On the right side of the chairlift along the lower part of the slope there is a snow park with a jump and obstacles to practice freestyle.
Kasprowy Wierch (highest ski resort in Poland), 3km from the town centre, has high alpine skiing in two treeless bowls.
Skiers are transported to the top by cable car running in two sections, the first section goes up to 1350m in about 7 minutes while the second part takes skiers to the top in 10 minutes. In the area around Kasprowy Wierch prepares a total of 14 km of ski slopes on natural snow. This is a National Forest Area so there is no artificial snowmaking.
There are two spacious, wide and beautiful ski runs (not always and unfortunately only partly groomed by snowcats) on Kasprowy Wierch - Gasienicowa and Goryczkowa. Both routes begin with a fairly steep slope (the beginning of the Gasienicowa is steeper), but their further course is slightly milder. The most difficult sections of the route are rated as very difficult (black marked) in bad snow conditions (ice, muds) or difficult (red marked) in good snow conditions. A modern four-person chair lift operates in the Gasienicowa, and an old and primitive one with wooden, double chairs in the Goryczkowa.
Zakopane offer its first ever skipass - one card allowing skiers and snowboarders to use many lifts. The Góral Skipass is purchased for a specific length of time and can be used at four ski areas: Harendzie, Polanie Szymoszkowej, Suche, and Witów. The ticket can be purchased online, at a special ticket machine in the city centre, or at one of the designated points.
Zakopane village
Aqua Park Zakopane is a popular place for family. Situated in the very centre of the city, it offers a beautiful view of the panorama of the mountains. The water park offers a huge selection of attractions for all ages, from cascades and giant water slides that land you in an outdoor pool, to indoor adults pools with massaging water jets, 6 jacuzzis and a restaurant. But its main attraction is the outdoor geothermal pool, where you can relax and bathe in 32oC, surrounded by snow and the picturesque Tatry mountains. The outdoors pool is only accessible to adults and kids over 14 years old.
Snowland is a unique Snow Land on the map of Zakopane.
The mysterious place made of snow and ice, full of amazing chambers with numerous sculptures made by artists from Podhale and Slovakia. If you want to see the Ice World from the fairy tale about the Snow Queen with your own eyes, here you can sit on her ice throne, lie on an ice bed or warm up by the ice fireplace.