Zakopane

Popular world-wide for its Nordic skiing

Zakopane, Poland's premier ski resort is located 120 kilometres south of Krakow, near the Slovak boarder and on the edge of the famous Tatra Mountains. The ski slopes are 3 kilometres from the town centre and are connected by a local bus service. The downhill ski area is the best in Poland and the resort features numerous cross-country skiing trails, a winter stadium and hosts the World Cup ski-jumps-event each year. Advanced skiers can also ski Bukowina Tatrzanska, a traditional highlander village in the Tatra Mountains.

Regular buses operate across the mountains to Lysa Polana in Slovakia. The best skiing can be found on the mountain Kasprowy Wierch 1985 metres up. To reach the top you will have to take the cable car, which was built in 1936 and it is divided in two parts. The first part takes you up to an altitude of 1350 metres and the second part takes you to the way to the top. Once here you have the choice between two long slopes for your trip back down this beautiful mountain.

Excellent skiing conditions can be also found on Polana Szymoszkowa, next to the Orbis-Kasprowy Hotel. There are artificial snow making systems here as well as a chairlift that will take skiers to the top of Gubaówka ridge. Another popular place is Nosal, also with artificial snow making systems and offers a dozen or so T-bar lifts as well as a chairlift. Beginners can learn to ski on the well-known Koziniec, which has plenty of nursery slopes.

Resort Information
Altitude of resort:	800 metres
Top elevation:	1960 metres
Largest vertical drop:	929 metres
Total length of slopes:	30 kilometres
Longest run:	20 kilometres
Cross country trails:	8 kilometres
Beginner:	50%
Intermediate:	50%
Advanced:	20%
Number of lifts:	20
Snowboard:	Yes