Winter Activities
Winter Activities in Poland

Poland Winter Activities

Winter Activities in Poland – updated 12 January 2023.

Poland offers a variety of winter activities for visitors and locals alike. Some popular options include:

  1. Skiing and Snowboarding: Poland has several ski resorts, many of which are located in the southern and eastern regions of the country. Some popular ski resorts include Karkonosze, Tatry, and Karkonosze.

  2. Snowshoeing and Hiking: The winter landscape in Poland provides an opportunity for snowshoeing and hiking in the mountains and national parks. The Tatra National Park and the Karkonosze National Park are popular destinations for snowshoeing.

  3. Ice Skating: Many cities in Poland have outdoor ice rinks that are open during the winter months. Some popular rinks include the one in the Wroclavia shopping center, the one in the Krakow’s Main Market Square and the one in the Lodz’s Piotrkowska Street.

  4. Sledding and Tubing: There are several places in Poland where you can go sledding or tubing, such as the Karkonosze Mountains.

  5. Winter Festivals: Poland is known for its winter festivals, such as the Christmas markets in Krakow, Wroclaw, and Gdansk. There are also other festivals like the New Year’s Eve celebration in Zakopane and the Winter Carnival in Karkonosze, which offer a variety of activities, including parades, live music, and traditional food.

  6. Spa and Wellness: Poland has a long tradition of spa and wellness, and many hotels and resorts offer winter packages that include access to hot springs, saunas, and other relaxation facilities.

  7. The Thermal pools: There are several thermal pools in Poland, such as the one in the Uniejow, Kudowa-Zdroj, and Cieplice, which are open year-round and offer warm water and various facilities like massage, sauna and steam room.

Skiing in Poland

Skiing and snowboarding

The two most popular winter activities in Poland are skiing and snowboarding and the country is the ideal location for those who have not skied before or are still in the learning phase. Poland is not the Alps however and experienced skiers and snowboarders will probably not find the excitement they are looking for, black runs in Poland are akin to a tricky red run in the Alps.

Low costs

Despite not having huge vertical drops and above treeline bowls, Poland still attracts many winter sports enthusiasts, mainly due to the fact that it is so much cheaper to ski there and costs are much less than in the well-known resorts such as Courchevel, Zermatt and St. Moritz. Typically, accommodation in a Polish resort can range from as little as 60zł for a hostel to 400zł + for a decent hotel. Ski-lift passes are approx. 150zł per day.

Winter Activities in Poland

500 kilometres of slopes

There’s around 500 kilometres of slopes in Poland to enjoy in addition to swathes of countryside, which are ideal for cross-country skiing. Due to the increasing popularity of winter sports, new pistes have been developed recently in the Kasuby, Podlasie and Masury regions and you’ll also find artificial slopes popping up such as Malta Park in Poznan and Szczesliwice park in Warsaw.

Winter Activities in Poland

Ski resorts

Poland has several ski resorts that offer a variety of skiing and snowboarding options for visitors. Some popular ski resorts in Poland include:

  1. Karkonosze: This ski resort is located in the Karkonosze Mountains on the border between Poland and the Czech Republic. It offers a variety of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, as well as cross-country skiing trails.

  2. Tatry: These ski resorts are located in the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland. Tatry offers a great variety of slopes for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, as well as cross-country skiing trails.

  3. Karkonosze: This ski resort is located in the Karkonosze Mountains in southwest Poland. It offers a variety of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, as well as cross-country skiing trails.

  4. Zieleniec: This ski resort is located in the Karkonosze Mountains in southwest Poland. It offers a variety of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, as well as cross-country skiing trails.

  5. Szczyrk: This ski resort is located in the Beskidy Mountains in southern Poland. It offers a variety of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, as well as cross-country skiing trails.

  6. Karkonosze: This ski resort is located in the Karkonosze Mountains in southwest Poland. It offers a variety of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, as well as cross-country skiing trails.

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, many ski resorts in Poland also offer other winter activities such as snowshoeing, ice-skating and snowtubing. Skiing and snowboarding equipment can be rented at most ski resorts, and ski schools are available for those who want to learn or improve their skills.

Tatra Mountains

The Tatra Mountains provide the best skiing & snowboarding experience in the country and that’s where you will find the town of Zakopane, known as the winter sports capital of Poland.

Kasprowy Wierch (1985m) in the Tatras is very popular with Polish skiers and is suitable for all skill levels and has a 4300m run. Gubałówka with its 1500m run is also a decent place to ski and has fantastic views. The good thing about Zakopane is that the ski season can often last into April some years. Snowboarders in Zakopane have a couple of good spots to choose such as the Szymoszkowa Clearing, Witow and Bialka Tatrzanska.

Sudetes Mountains

A great alternative to the Tatras is the Sudetes Mountains with Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba in Silesia being the most visited. Situated at the foot of Mount Szrenica, the city provides outdoor types with almost 15km of skiing and walking routes including some decent cross-country trails.

Silesian Beskids

In the Silesian Beskids, you’ll find the village of Szczyrk; which is home to the Polish Winter Olympics training centre. This is the preferred destination for novice skiers and snowboarders. Other good locations are Jaworzyna Krynicka, Wisła and Korbielow.

Snowmobile tours

There are alternative winter activities other than skiing and snowboarding that can be enjoyed in Poland. Snowmobile tours are very popular, there are many places where you can find sleigh rides and for the adventurous, Poland’s lakes freeze over in the winter and make excellent locations for ice skating and ice sailing.

FAQ – Skiing in Poland

  1. What is the best time of year to ski in Poland?
  • The best time to ski in Poland is typically between December and March, when the weather is cold enough to ensure good snow conditions. However, it’s important to check the weather forecast and snow report before planning a trip, as the snow conditions can vary from year to year.
  1. Are there any restrictions on skiing in Poland?
  • There are some restrictions on skiing in Poland, such as designated ski runs and specific hours of operation. It is important to follow the rules and regulations posted at the ski resorts and to obtain any necessary permits before setting out on a skiing trip in Poland.
  1. What kind of skiing conditions can I expect in Poland?
  • The skiing conditions in Poland vary depending on the region and the time of year. Generally, Poland’s ski resorts have artificial snowmaking systems, so the slopes are usually well-groomed and have good snow cover.
  1. Are there any must-see skiing destinations in Poland?
  • Some popular skiing destinations in Poland include Karkonosze, Tatry, and Karkonosze. These ski resorts offer a variety of slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, as well as cross-country skiing trails.
  1. How can I rent skiing equipment in Poland?
  • Skiing equipment can be rented at most ski resorts in Poland. Many ski resorts have rental shops on-site, where you can rent skis, snowboards, boots, poles, and helmets. Some rental shops may require a deposit or proof of identification.
  1. Are there ski schools in Poland?
  • Yes, there are ski schools in Poland that offer lessons for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. The ski schools typically have certified instructors who can teach everything from basic ski techniques to advanced freestyle maneuvers.