The best places to ski – where to spend the winter holidays?

The winter holidays are in full swing, and ski resorts in Poland and Europe have filled up with ski lovers. Whether you are a novice skier or an experienced lover of extreme downhill skiing, the range of ski slopes on our continent can satisfy everyone’s taste. So where to find the best places to ski? How to plan a trip to avoid disappointment and fully enjoy the winter aura? Here is a guide to the most popular and best-rated places in Poland and Europe.

Poland: native slopes that delight

Bialka Tatrzanska

Bialka offers 14 kilometers of ski slopes, which are perfectly groomed and lighted. The slopes are ideal for families with children and beginner skiers, but there are also more challenging sections. There are 10 modern lifts (chairlifts and gondola lifts). An added bonus is the nearby thermal baths, which allow you to relax after a day of skiing.

Szczyrk

Szczyrk is one of the largest ski resorts in Poland, with 40 km of trails, including 10 km of high difficulty. Access to the mountain is facilitated by gondola lifts, chairlifts and cable cars. The picturesque views and variety of trails make the resort popular with more experienced skiers.

Karpacz and Szklarska Poreba

• Karpacz: the main attraction is the White Jar slope, which offers several slopes of varying difficulty. There are ski lifts and ski schools.
• Szklarska Poreba: is known for its Szrenica ski slope, which measures more than 2 km and is one of the longest in the region. Chairlifts provide convenient access to the slopes.

Black Mountain

The resort in the Sněžník massif offers 15 km of ski trails, 3 km of which are black trails for advanced skiers. It’s a great place for families, with good learning conditions, as well as the ability to use modern lifts.

How to check ski conditions in Poland?

Winter in Poland can be capricious, so it’s worth checking the current weather conditions before heading to the slopes. The Internet will provide detailed and verified information:

• skiinfo.pl – up-to-date data on snow cover and the condition of trails in Poland;
• Snow Forecast – forecasts for ski resorts around the world, including Poland;
• Webcams – most Polish resorts provide live video, allowing you to assess the situation on the slopes yourself.

The best places to ski in Europe

The Polish mountains are beautiful, but skiers who dream of greater challenges often choose resorts abroad. Europe offers countless places that beckon with impressive trails, excellent infrastructure and unforgettable views.

Italy

Italy is the dream of many skiers. The Dolomiti Superski region offers several hundred kilometers of trails surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

– Cortina d’Ampezzo

The Italian essence of style with 120 km of ski runs, including Olympic slopes. The resort offers both scenic slopes for beginners and challenging runs for more advanced skiers. Excellent infrastructure and elegant restaurants attract visitors from all over the world.

– Val di Fassa and Val Gardena

Val di Fassa: this region offers 120 km of trails with wide slopes, ideal for learning to ride.

Val Gardena: varied trails of more than 175 km, including the legendary Saslong route, which is the site of World Cup competitions.

– Livigno

A family resort with 115 kilometers of ski runs, offering wide slopes, snowparks and duty-free shopping. The infrastructure is well prepared for both beginners and intermediates.

Austria

Austria has for years enjoyed a reputation as the ski center of Europe. The trails there are perfectly prepared, and the charming Alpine villages provide a unique atmosphere.

– St. Anton am Arlberg

The resort offers 305 kilometers of trails, including many off the main trails, making it ideal for freeriders. It is famous for its challenging sections, such as Valluga.

– Kitzbühel

With 185 kilometers of trails, Kitzbühel is an excellent destination for intermediate and advanced skiers. Particularly famous is the Streif piste, which hosts some of the toughest World Cup competitions.

– Sölden

With the development of two glaciers – Rettenbach and Tiefenbach – Sölden offers 145 km of trails with guaranteed snow all season long. The facilities are located more than 3,000 meters above sea level.

France

France is a country that attracts lovers of great spaces and diverse routes.

– Les 3 Vallées

The world’s largest ski area with 600 km of lift-connected trails. There are both gentler, family slopes and challenging sections for advanced skiers.

– Chamonix

A paradise for freeriders with off-piste trails and extreme sections on the Vallée Blanche glacier. The resort also offers 150 kilometers of ski runs for every skill level.

– Val d’Isère

A resort with 300 kilometers of trails, including exceptionally long slopes of great difficulty.

Czech Republic and Slovakia

For Poles, an attractive alternative to domestic slopes are resorts in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which offer good conditions at an affordable price.

– Špindlerův Mlýn

The largest resort in the Czech Republic with 27 kilometers of ski runs, including downhill areas for families and more challenging sections for advanced skiers. The resort offers modern lifts and snowparks.

– Jasná

A modern resort in the Low Tatras with 46 km of trails, including 4 km of black trails. The slopes are well-maintained and varied, and the region is popular, thanks to its natural snow conditions.

– Tatranská Lomnica

This is a resort with steep slopes, including 6 km of black runs for advanced skiers. The slopes are located up to 2196 meters above sea level, providing excellent snow conditions.

What to pay attention to when planning a trip?

When planning a ski trip, you should take care of several key issues that will allow you to fully enjoy your winter vacation and ensure not only comfort, but also safety. First of all, you should carefully choose a ski resort according to the level of sophistication of the trip participants. It is not worth kidnapping yourself on difficult trails if you are just learning to ski – it is better to bet on places offering gentle slopes and ski schools that will help you gain confidence.

Insurance is equally important, especially if you plan to travel abroad. Skiing or snowboarding accidents happen even to experienced users, and the cost of treatment or possible medical transport can be very high. Good insurance that covers winter sports is an investment that gives you peace of mind and financial security in unforeseen circumstances.

And don’t forget about the on-site infrastructure. It is worth checking whether the chosen resort offers ski schools, well-functioning ski lifts, as well as restaurants where you can eat something warm after a day of skiing. If you are planning a trip with non-skiers, it would be a good idea to choose a place that provides other attractions – thermal pools, ice rinks or mountain walking trails, so there is something for everyone. Here some suggestions from us. A good plan and thoughtful decisions are the key to a successful trip that will provide only positive memories.

pic. main: Alessio Soggetti / Unsplash