The Polish mountains are definitely one of the more popular destinations chosen by those planning a winter holiday. The Tatra, Karkonosze, Beskidy, and Bieszczady mountains offer not only beautiful views at this time of year but also plenty of additional attractions. Where is the best place to go to the mountains in winter, and what can you do there?
Polish mountains in winter? Head for the Tatra Mountains!
For many people, a synonym for winter rest is a trip to the Tatra Mountains. No wonder! The highest mountain range in the Carpathians offers tourists plenty of attractions and excellent conditions for both physical activity and regeneration. In the Tatra Mountains, there are also many popular tourist resorts – Zakopane, called the winter capital of Poland, Bukowina Tatrzańska, Białka Tatrzańska, Biały Dunajec, Kościelisko, Poronin, Murzasichle, Małe Ciche, and Ząb.
The Tatra Mountains are an excellent proposition among others for winter sports enthusiasts. Snow-covered slopes with trails of varying difficulty levels, modern lifts, equipment rentals, or numerous schools where you can discover the secrets of skiing or snowboarding await them. Meanwhile, enthusiasts of mountain hikes and spending time in the natural surroundings can choose to visit the Chochołowska Valley, the Kościeliska Valley, and the Roztoka Valley or visit Morskie Oko – each of these places in the winter scenery looks truly stunning.
History and sightseeing enthusiasts also cannot complain about a lack of activities in the Tatra Mountains in winter. The most interesting points on the map of Zakopane include primarily the Tatra Museum, the Museum of the Zakopane Style, or the Oscypek Museum. Families with children should visit Snowlandia – it's a magical land, famous for an impressive snow maze, which is created every winter at the foot of the Great Krokiew. In the Tatra Mountains, those longing for blissful relaxation and fans of water attractions will also find something for themselves – the aquapark in Zakopane, Terma Bania, Termy Bukovina or Termy Szaflary are perfect places not only for relaxation but also for aquatic fun.
Beskid Sądecki – a charming place for a winter mountain trip
Looking for a more secluded spot for a winter mountain trip? In that case, a great proposition will be the Beskid Sądecki in the Western Carpathians, with the heart being the beautiful Krynica-Zdrój. The city captivates with magnificent views, numerous nature reserves, and a subalpine climate. The city is crossed by numerous educational and natural paths, walking routes, and hiking trails, suitable both for families with children and experienced hikers.
The center of Krynica-Zdrój also impresses with a multitude of attractions. Along Krynica's Promenade are located the most interesting landmarks: the Old Mineral Baths, the Old Spa House, the Old Borowina Baths, as well as historical villas and guesthouses. In the city center, there is also the Main Drinking Hall, the concert shell, a multimedia fountain, Nikifor Museum, Toy Museum, or the Spa Park, above which rises the picturesque Park Mountain. Choosing a hotel in the mountains in the center of Krynica-Zdrój, all these attractions are within reach!
Krynica-Zdrój also boasts excellent conditions for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, or snowboarding. Close to the city center, on the slope of the Cross Mountain, there is Henryk-Ski Ski Resort. The slope here is moderately sloped, making it an ideal place for children and beginners to intermediates. A little further located is the Słotwiny Arena complex, one of the most well-known resorts in southern Poland, offering tourists 10 kilometers of ski runs.
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Winter holiday in the Polish mountains? Discover the Karkonosze!
Wondering where to go to the mountains in winter, it's also worth considering the Karkonosze. The most popular towns include primarily Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba. In Karpacz and the surrounding area in winter, tourists are awaited by excellently prepared ski runs, and in addition, numerous attractions – Toy Museum, Museum of Technology and Construction with Lego Blocks, Museum of Video Game Consoles or the Karkonosze Mysteries museum. It's also impossible not to mention the Wang Church – a famous Protestant church moved to Karpacz from Norway, which was built without the use of nails.
What, in turn, does Szklarska Poręba offer tourists? This place is well known to skiers, who can be especially met on the slopes of Szrenica. In the vicinity of Szklarska Poręba, there are also cross-country skiing trails, and even trails for snowshoe hikes. Meanwhile, wanting to go for a relaxing walk in the traditional form, it's worth seeing the Szklarka Waterfall – the second highest waterfall in the Karkonosze, constituting an exclave of the Karkonosze National Park.
Picturesque Izera Mountains for a winter holiday
Where else is it worth going to the mountains in winter? The list of places worth visiting should not lack the Izera Mountains – a range in the Western Sudetes, lying in the territory of the Czech Republic and Poland. The most famous peaks in the Izera Mountains include Wysoka Kopa, Smrek, or Izerski Stóg. The latter mentioned is a popular viewpoint, which you can ascend by gondola from Świeradów-Zdrój. This is one of the main cities of the Izera Mountains, located in a charming valley, which, besides beautiful views and excellently prepared ski runs, attracts with spa traditions – you can see, among others, the Spa Park, historic spa architecture, or the larch Promenade Hall.
Beskid Żywiecki – beautiful nature and a unique microclimate
An excellent proposition for those who want to go to the mountains in winter will also be the Beskid Żywiecki. This place is definitely worth a visit. The Beskid Żywiecki is the second-highest mountain range in Poland, over which rises the famous Babia Góra. The region is famous for its wonderful natural features – to protect them, the Babia Góra National Park and the Żywiecki Landscape Park were created in this area, through which numerous hiking trails run, constituting a popular destination for tourist trips. The hallmark of the Beskid Żywiecki is also its unique microclimate, thanks to which snow remains here even until the end of April. Skiers, who particularly favor the slopes of Pilsko and the Big and Small Rachowiec, readily take advantage of this.
