Zakopane, Poland

Southern Poland has a few resorts, the biggest being Zakopane. It still suffers from the problem of little connection between lifts and the main run from the modern fenicular is closed because the old lady who owns a field halfway down, doesn't want noisy skiers using her snow

However, its a real mountain town (wooden building and genuine Polish restaurants) and its cheap compared to most of the Western European resorts. If you're a beginner its good or if you want to mix skiing, drinking, eating and walking, its ideal.

Webcams can be found at http://www.oiccam.com/webcams/index.html?giewont/ or http://www.szymoszkowa.pl/kamera.html .

Would love to give somewhere like that a try.

I believe the one and only Mr Stewart Dowling is going there next new year, so he can write us all a nice report then.

I liked the story about the old lady who refused to let them build a new ski lift because she doesnt like the noise!!!!

I live at Jasna, which is in Slovkaia, just over the Tatras from Zakopane. Whilst the Polish resort is very limited, Jasna has much more to offer.
It is the largest ski area in central Europe with a vertical of over 1000m and 27 lifts. The terrain is suitable for all abilities from cruisey blues to freeride zones that you only see in the films (hiking required).
The Jasna valley is very pretty; it is a national park and the authorities have minimised the impact of the resort on the beauty of the place.

The local town of Liptovsky Mikulas serves the ski area; here are aplenty of bars and restaurants that are very good and very cheap. If you stay up at Jasna itself then you are somewhat limited to few, spaced out eateries.

Snowfall is like most Northern Hemisphere resorts; March get the accumulation of the entire season plus a hint of spring in the air.... Season generally ends April 15th.

If you would like any more info please ask...

Dan

Newby to the forum but agree that Zakopane is really good. Its in a bowl and surrounded by slopes on all sides. The runs are limited though unless you go to Bialka and Kaprowky Weich. Went with Sunshine World last year who take you to different areas each day......going again this Feb half term. Yippee

bald-eagleman wrote:Newby to the forum but agree that Zakopane is really good. Its in a bowl and surrounded by slopes on all sides. The runs are limited though unless you go to Bialka and Kaprowky Weich. Went with Sunshine World last year who take you to different areas each day......going again this Feb half term. Yippee

I guess the attraction would be the low prices but looking at the piste map there is very limited skiing, but I guess if your in the the area it might be worth a try, what am I saying I must be honest there's not a cat in hell's chance of me going to Zakopane, but still each to his own have a great hol's.

Tony_H wrote:

I liked the story about the old lady who refused to let them build a new ski lift because she doesn't like the noise!!!!

Yes great story truth is the farmer who owns the field in in dispute over money.

There used to be a great ski run that started above zakopane in a lovely little village and end up near the market but that too got shut because the land owners wanted something like a million pounds in rent

Getting to Zakopane is a pain too and you really need to hire a car - watch out for Sixt - not only to get their but to get around

Not very cheap any more

+ side, its so beautiful and the food and restaurants are great

mark203 wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

I liked the story about the old lady who refused to let them build a new ski lift because she doesn't like the noise!!!!

Yes great story truth is the farmer who owns the field in in dispute over money.

There used to be a great ski run that started above zakopane in a lovely little village and end up near the market but that too got shut because the land owners wanted something like a million pounds in rent

Getting to Zakopane is a pain too and you really need to hire a car - watch out for Sixt - not only to get their but to get around

Not very cheap any more

+ side, its so beautiful and the food and restaurants are great

I must go soon,Not