Ski resorts of Slovakia
Slovakia is one of Poles' favourite winter destinations. In winter, in many places, Poles are the largest national group, on a par with the Slovaks themselves. Slovakia's natural conditions (up to 80% of its territory lies at an altitude of 750 m above sea level) allow some 100 ski resorts to operate, served by more than 450 cable cars and lifts.
Jasná - Chopok: pistes and new lifts
The Jasná-Chopok ski resort offers 50 km of groomed pistes of varying difficulty. You can ski on both the northern and the southern slopes, which are connected at the top of the mountain (2004 m above sea level). That is also where you will find the 'Rotunda' restaurant, with an almost 360-degree view. If you opt for the 'Fresh Track' early-morning skiing package, your two-hour session on the slopes - when you will have the infrastructure almost entirely to yourself - ends with breakfast and a glass of champagne, right there in the 'Rotunda'.
As far as lifts are concerned, a brand-new addition (ready for the 2022/2023 season) is the A6 Biela Púť - Priehyba gondola, which has increased the capacity of a key link to the top of Chopok tenfold, removing a real 'bottleneck' in the ski connections. The investment swallowed 17 million euros, because the snowmaking system was completely rebuilt at the same time and extended to further slopes, including piste number 6. The 22/23 winter season also saw the wider use of an extremely advanced snow management system, SNOWsat, which uses satellite measurement of snow depth (accurate to 3 cm) and tracks the location of the snow groomers.
Among the lifts, the Funitel gondola is also worth noting: thanks to a special system of guides on two cables, it can withstand strong winds of up to 120 km/h. The resort is preparing to open the C6 Zadné Dereše T-bar (as of January 2023). Although T-bars are associated with times gone by, this one is special, and not only because of its length of more than 1.5 km. Slovaks often call it 'cult', and they are eagerly awaiting the opening ceremony.
Winter sports fans will be able to use an improved bus service to Jasná-Chopok after leaving their car in the free car park at the entrance to the Demänová Valley. The ski bus, which leaves every 15 minutes, will take you straight to the lift base stations.
More information: Jasná - Chopok in Polish
Tatranská Lomnica - High Tatras
The High Tatras are a popular meeting place for Polish skiers. They come for the interesting slopes in an 'Alpine' setting. Some consider these 24 kilometres of well-maintained pistes, with views of bare rock, scree and the highest peaks, to be the best in the region.
Apart from skiing, the High Tatras offer several extra attractions. At Hrebienok, a unique structure has been created for the tenth time - the Tatra Ice Temple. This time the inspiration for the giant ice sculpture (225 tonnes of ice) was an exceptional religious building, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. In previous editions, the great blocks of ice could only be viewed from the front. New this year is the chance to walk in between the ice walls of the structure and so admire its precise details from a different angle. When conditions are right, you can toboggan from Hrebienok all the way down on a 2.5-kilometre run.
A cable car ride up the majestic Lomnický štít is always an exceptional experience. For Poles, the fact that you are more than 130 metres higher (2634 m) than Poland's highest peak, Rysy, will be an extra attraction. From the red cable car cabin you can look down on the steepest ski run in Slovakia, at the Lomnické sedlo saddle. Because of the uniqueness of the place and the need to keep its ecological balance undisturbed, this slope is never covered with artificial snow.
The Slovak ski resorts of Jasná - Chopok and Tatranská Lomnica will use GOPASS, a dynamic pricing system. Ski passes bought online in advance are cheaper than those bought at the last minute. For example, the Fresh Track morning session mentioned earlier, which has a standard price of 69 euros, can be bought for 45 euros in special GOPASS offers. Parking at the base station in Tatranská Lomnica will cost you 5 euros (standard price 10 euros). A new feature - again thanks to GOPASS - is the option of using swimming pool complexes and thermal baths. If you want to take a day off skiing, entry to the aquaparks will be free.
More information: Gopass
Roháče - Spálená in the Western Tatras
'Ski Roháče Spálená' is a ski resort in the Western Tatras, and the Roháče range lies, roughly speaking, to the west of the Chochołowska Valley. After crossing the border at Chochołów, you have just 35 km to go. On the way you pass Zuberec, which offers a good choice of accommodation, and on its outskirts lies the Museum of the Orava Village, which is well worth a visit. Roháče has a unique microclimate - snow arrives on the slopes early and lasts until as late as the beginning of May. It is no exaggeration to say that the chances of skiing over the early-May long weekend are really good here.
A modern chairlift starts at 1037 m above sea level and ends at 1498 m. There is also one more chairlift and a T-bar running along the most interesting part of the slope. A flatter piste through the forest will soon appear, bypassing the 'wall' near the end of the run. What sets 'Ski Roháče Spálená' apart are its 'Alpine' views of the snowy Tatra peaks, which are especially good from the lift.
It is worth mentioning that there is a large car park at the base station - free in winter - and the main building houses a modern self-service restaurant ('kapustnica' cabbage soup - 4 euros, goulash with dumplings - 6.50 euros). The cheapest pass in peak season costs 24 euros and gives you 2 hours of skiing. A full-day pass costs 36 euros. There are discounts for children and seniors, as well as off-season reductions.
More information: Roháče - Spálená
Kubínska Hoľa near Dolný Kubín
'Kubínska Hoľa' is a ski resort on the outskirts of the town of Dolný Kubín. From the border crossing at Chyżne it is 50 km, which means just over an hour's drive. On the way you pass one of the most picturesque castles in the whole of Slovakia, Orava Castle. Dolný Kubín is a good base, but as you drive on towards the ski area itself you will also pass private rooms and houses to rent. For the most demanding, the Hotel Green, about 200 metres from the slope, can be recommended. It offers everything you need for a comfortable stay, including good wellness facilities and a ski room. The core of Kubínska Hoľa's infrastructure is a sequence of two chairlifts, which take you from 720 m above sea level almost to the summit (1396 m above sea level), from which beautiful views open up in good weather.
Along the slopes there are several supporting T-bars, one of which is intended for beginners. When, after a few runs down the red pistes, you fancy a breather, try the 'blue', a wide ski road that winds picturesquely through the forest. Passes cost 27 euros for 2 hours of skiing and 37 euros for a full day (with various discounts for the youngest and oldest). As half the slope is floodlit, you can also ski after dark (in January from 17:00 to 20:30). There is no need to worry too much about snow - 120 snow cannons have been installed along the pistes. At the base station there is a large car park, equipment hire shops and several places to eat and rest.
More information: Kubínska in Polish
Oravský Háj and the Brezovica slope
Just across the Polish border, only 15 km from Chyżne, lies the 'Oravský Háj' complex. It is a comfortable place for discerning guests. The historic buildings of an old watermill (now the reception, bar and restaurant) form the heart of the resort. Around them, on a large green site, stylish and spacious cottages have been laid out. Guests have the use of a wellness building with a pool and sauna area.
Oravský Háj has its own farm and vegetable garden, whose produce is used in the kitchen and to make unique preserves that are sold on site. Tokaj wines go well with the dishes served, and in the cellars of one of the buildings there is a tasting room of the Chateau Grand Bari winery. The resort's stables have 40 horses. Neither adults nor children will be bored here. Children have a playroom and can take part in an entertainment programme. The resort places great emphasis on its eco-friendly profile - as much as 60% of its energy comes from photovoltaics, and there is a charger for electric cars on site.
More information: Oravský Háj
Rounding off the whole package of attractions is the chance to go skiing. A free ski bus takes guests to the nearby (about 2 km) Brezovica slope. There, an 800 m T-bar serves two pistes (with a separate T-bar for learners). A 3-hour pass costs 12 euros.
More information: Skicentrum Brezovica
Skiing in Slovakia close to the Polish border
Of the roughly 100 ski resorts in Slovakia, some have dozens of kilometres of pistes and a multitude of skiing options. There are also smaller ones - like those described here - whose standard of service is no lower than that of the best-known resorts, and which lie very close to the Polish border. They can be the ideal choice for a long skiing weekend for people from southern Poland.
It is also worth noting that, with so many Poles visiting, a basic knowledge of Polish has become common among people working in local tourism. Whether you are in a hotel, an aquapark, a restaurant or a rental shop, you can easily make yourself understood in Polish. This matters particularly when you go to Slovakia with children. When you hand them over to an instructor, you can be sure of giving them stress-free and safe lessons, thanks to smooth communication in their native language.
