Zakopane

Duration: 2-7 days
Approximate distance: 700 km
Countries along the route: Poland

Preparation

For entry into Poland, full vaccination is required (verify this information from official sources, e.g., tripadvisor.mfa.gov.ua). It is also advisable to have at least €500, which may be requested at the border.

We recommend the following steps:

Find accommodation on Booking or Airbnb
Book accommodation, print confirmation, save them as a file (PDF)
Visit an insurance company and get medical insurance policies and a green card for the car
Head to the border with Poland

For verification, the list of all documents needed for the trip:

Passport
Driver's license
Car registration documents
Medical insurance covering COVID-19 and skiing risks
Green card (liability insurance for the car owner)
Printed accommodation booking confirmations

Ukraine-Poland Border Crossing

For crossing the border, the border checkpoints near the Polish A4 motorway are suitable. Border checkpoints on the Ukraine-Poland border:

Krakovec-Korchova (Lviv Oblast)
Shehyni-Medyka (Lviv Oblast)
Hrushiv-Budomezh (Lviv Oblast)

The only specific aspect of border crossing is queues at border checkpoints.

Border crossing points on the map and their load can be viewed on the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine website:
https://dpsu.gov.ua/ua/map

Transiting Through Poland

Poland requires payment for the use of roads. However, as of 2021, there is no payment required for the section from the Ukrainian border to Krakow.

From the border, drive on the A4 motorway to the southern bypass of Krakow and then follow the signs to Zakopane on road 7, which later becomes S7.

For more details on road payments, mandatory equipment in the car, and other nuances regarding traveling through the country, read the article about Poland

The cost of fuel in Poland

А-95 € 1.41

Diesel € 1.429

LPG € 0.733

A small resort town. Finding places to eat is easy, as the entire town is geared towards skiing tourists in winter. There isn't much to stroll around; just the central street and a few other alleys in the town. However, spending a few days here is very pleasant, especially when skiing in different places. Zakopane also has an Aqua Park, but we won't delve into details here; you can find all the information on their official website.

For Experienced Skiers and Snowboarders

The most famous ski resort is Kasprowy Wierch. It's suitable for experienced skiers, with some challenging slopes. It's not recommended for beginners. Below is a detailed description of the Kasprowy Wierch ski resort in Kasprowy Wierch.

For Beginners on Skis and Boards

Near Zakopane, there's the large resort Kotelnica (Kotelnica Białczańska). It offers many blue slopes for beginners and only 2 red ones, all well-prepared. There are 4- and 6-seater chairlifts and one T-bar lift.

Accommodation options vary in price.

Prices in Zakopane may be slightly higher than in Krakow, but mostly similar.

It's best to book a hotel with parking.

Kasprowy Wierch (1987 m)

Coordinates on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/hoXD5kTZw2mnfSbb8
Official website: https://www.pkl.pl/

A peak near Zakopane, suitable for experienced skiers and snowboarders. You can reach it by a cabin lift from Zakopane. There are two chairlifts on the mountain, one 4-seater and one 2-seater. Moving between lifts can be challenging due to the height difference, so it's better to choose one initially, ride there, and then switch to the other. From the 2-seater or 4-seater lift to the cabins, you need to walk uphill.

You can ski down to the bottom station of the cabins. It's great to use this option when heading home, just take a ride down. The descent is picturesque but technically not easy, passing through the forest, various roads, and paths.

from 38 EUR (165 PLN)

it's better to come here by bus and leave the car at the place of residence

This is how the exit from the upper station of the cabin lift at Kasprowy Wierch looks. From here, you need to move along the orange fences, and about 50 meters away, there will be a junction to different slopes. Left – descent to the 4-seater chairlift, right – to the 2-seater chairlift. Both slopes require good skiing skills.

On top, the weather can often be harsh. The fog can be so dense that visibility is only about 5 meters. Most tourists stay at the upper lift station, but if you're adventurous, you can still ski. The edges of the slopes are marked with orange flags, so even in the fog, you can find your way down.

The 4-seater lift with a view of the mountaintop.

Scenic 2-seater lift.

Kotelnica (Kotelnica Białczańska)

Coordinates on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/QYTMbdS2uoA5JtiU8
Official website: https://bialkatatrzanska.pl/

An ideal place for beginners. Comfortable 6- and 4-seater chairlifts. Most slopes are blue, with a few red ones that are not difficult. It's not necessary to go on the red slopes if you don't feel confident on skis. All slopes go down in one direction, so it's hard to get lost. Experienced skiers may find it boring here.

To reach the resort from Zakopane, return towards Krakow and in the town of Poronin, take the 961 road to the 49 road. The quality of the 961 road was normal, a narrow asphalt road with a lot of patches.

prices for a daily pass in the high season: 37 EUR (160 PLN), for more details, it's better to check the resort's website

free parking

Zakopane - skiing in Poland

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