So, you’re wondering about the best places to ski near Kraków? I can tell you, I’ve compiled a list of ski slopes that are perfect for a day trip. Let me say, with favorable road conditions, you can get to these places fairly quickly.
Where to Ski Near Krakow in Under an Hour?
The 2024 ski season is just around the corner. Resorts are opening up one after the other. Near Krakow, the famous Sport Arena in Myślenicach has kick-started the season. You could enjoy their services from last year. However, I know that the ski resort in Skomielnej Czarnej won’t be opening this winter due to electricity prices.
I think you’re asking yourself, where should I go skiing near Krakow for the 2024 season? Here’s a list for you:
- Szklana Góra Ski Resort
- Siepraw Ski Resort
- Sport Arena Myślenice Resort
- Podstolice SKI
- Kasina Ski&Bike Park
- Ski Lift “U Żura”
- Laskowa-Kamionna Ski Station
- Czarny Groń Ski Station
- Skomielna Czarna Ski Lift
- Cieniawa-Ski Station
Here’s a table summarizing the ski resorts near Kraków for the 2024 season:
↳ Make sure to read my guide to the most amazing places to stay in Kraków:
How to Find Best Place to Stay in Krakow Old Town – Your Guide
| Ski Resort | Location | Distance from Kraków (approx.) | Drive Time (approx.) | Lifts | Tracks | Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Szklana Góra Ski Resort | Harbutowice (Sułkowice) | Close | Under 1 hour | 1 four-person chair lift, 1 beginner’s lift | 1 downhill track (950m, medium difficulty) | 9 AM to 9 PM |
| Siepraw Ski Resort | Siepraw | Close | Under 1 hour | 5 lifts | 5 tracks (ranging from 70m to 350m, medium to easy difficulty) | 10 AM to 7 PM |
| Sport Arena Myślenice Resort | Island Beskids (Chełm) | Close | Under 1 hour | 1 four-person chair lift, 1 button lift | 2 ski tracks (855m and 1100m, one FIS certified) and a beginner’s hill | Not specified |
| Podstolice SKI | Podstolice | 18 km | 30-40 minutes | 3 lifts | Short tracks | Not specified |
| Kasina Ski&Bike Park | Kasina Wielka | 50 km | 60-70 minutes | 3 tracks | 2.7 km each | Not specified |
| Ski Lift “U Żura” | Chabówka (near Rabka) | 70 km | About 1.5 hours | 2 lifts | 350m button lift and 100m rope tow | Not specified |
| Laskowa-Kamionna Ski Station | Laskowa-Kamionna | 70 km | About 1.5 hours | 3 lifts | 1 chairlift (1550m), 2 button lifts (1260m and 240m), main track (2000m, red difficulty) | Not specified |
| Czarny Groń Ski Station | Zwardoń | 73 km | 80-100 minutes | 2 tracks | 750m (red track) and 1300m (blue track and ski road), 80m „Penguin Clearing” | Break from 16 to 18:00 |
| Skomielna Czarna Ski Lift | Skomielna Czarna | 60 km | 60-70 minutes | 1 track | 700m single track and 100m beginner’s slope with plate lift | Closes at 19:00 |
| Cieniawa-Ski Station | Cieniawa | 120 km | About 2 hours | 3 lifts | 350m, 500m, and 50m respectively | Closes at 20:00 |
Szklana Góra Ski – Close Skiing to Krakow
Szklana Góra Ski is in Harbutowice (Sułkowice district). This place is known for its beautifully located northern slope with a gentle incline, providing a picturesque view. Being there, you need to know, there’s a gear rental and a bar with food and hot drinks. The parking lot can accomodate up to 600 cars.
- You can see more pictures and location here: Open Google Maps
For sports enthusiasts, there is a four-person chair lift, 850 meters long, with a height difference of 170 meters, and a downhill track measuring 950 meters (medium difficulty). There’s also a beginner’s lift for kids with a mild slope. The resort is open from 9 AM to 9 PM.
If you want to ski for three hours, you need to pay 95 zł (90 zł for children, students, 60+). A four-hour ticket costs 105 zł (100 zł). It’s worth to say that it’s cheaper on weekdays – then four hours on the slope cost 80 zł (75 zł). Single rides can be purchased too. There are also family passes (2+1, 2+2, 2+3), priced at 260 zł, 340, and 420 zł respectively.
Siepraw Ski – A Little Slope with Easy Access
Located in Siepraw, the Siepraw Ski resort has five lifts, a “baby slope”, and five tracks with varying levels of difficulty. The longest ones are 350m, and the shortest is 70m. These tracks are medium to easy in difficulty. Parking lots are located near the bottom lift station, and a restaurant awaits all tired snow lovers. The complex also includes gear rental, a service station, and a ski school. The resort is open from Monday to Friday, from 10 AM to 7 PM.
- You can see more pictures and location here: Open Google Maps
Hourly passes are available for one, two, or three hours, and they cost 50 zł, 60 zł, and 70 zł respectively.
Sport Arena Myślenice Near Kraków
The ski station is located in the Island Beskids on Chełm mountain (654 m above sea level). There are two ski tracks, 855 and 1100 meters long, with one of them being FIS certified. At the mountain’s top, there’s a button lift measuring 150 meters long. Beginners can try the specially prepared “Excitement Hill” located at the lower part of Zarabie, right next to the indoor ice rink.
- You can see more pictures and location here: Open Google Maps
The complex includes gear rental, ski school, service station, indoor ice rink, a restaurant, and a tavern. There’s a four-person chair lift, which both skiers and those wanting to get to the tavern on Chełm mountain or enjoy the beautiful views of Myślenice can use.
You can buy 1-, 2-, or 3-hour passes. On weekdays, they cost 50 zł, 60 zł, and 65 zł, respectively. On weekends, the prices are 65 zł, 75 zł, and 85 zł (discounted tickets are 10 zł cheaper). Family tickets include four hours of skiing. Theire prices are as follows: 145 zł (1+1), 200 zł (1+2), 215 zł (2+1), 275 zł (2+2), and 320 zł (2+3).
Podstolice SKI – Skiing Near Krakow
Skiing near Krakow is also possible in the small town of Podstolice. The ski resort has three lifts that are 80 meters, 220 meters, and 350 meters long, and fairly short tracks. The advantage here is the proximity. The ski station is about 18 kilometers from the center of Krakow, which means it’s just a 30-40 minute drive from the city center.
- You can see more pictures and location here: Open Google Maps
Kasina Ski&Bike Park – A Little Further But Still Accessible
Kasina Ski&Bike Park is a bit further from Krakow, about 50 kilometers from the city center, but still reachable within a 60-70 minute drive. The resort has three tracks that are each 2.7 kilometers long. Many skiers believe that it’s best to arrive here late in the evening with your own gear.
- You can see more pictures and location here: Open Google Maps
Ski Lift “U Żura” – Perfect for Beginners and Families
About 70 kilometers from Krakow, near Rabka, is a ski lift in Chabówka. There are two lifts there – a button lift that’s 350 meters long and a rope tow that’s 100 meters long. While it might not satisfy advanced skiers, it’s a great spot for learning or a family outing.
Laskowa-Kamionna Ski Station – An Exciting Alternative
Also approximately 70 kilometers from Krakow, but in a slightly different direction, you’ll find the Laskowa-Kamionna ski station. It offers four downhill tracks, and three lifts – a chairlift that’s 1550 meters long (quite slow), and two button lifts, one measuring 1260 meters, and the other 240 meters. The main track, with a red degree of difficulty, is 2000 meters long. Many people suggest getting there before noon for the best experience.
- You can see more pictures and location here: Open Google Maps
Czarny Groń Ski Station – Top-Rated and Worth the Drive
About 73 kilometers from the center of Krakow, within a 80-100 minute drive, you’ll find the Czarny Groń ski station, one of the highest-rated in the region. Czarny Groń boasts two tracks, 750 meters (red track) and 1300 meters long (blue track and ski road). There’s also an 80-meter “Penguin Clearing” and a training area of the same length. It operates a 6-person and a 4-person chair lift, each 600 meters long. Just so you know, the slope has a technical break between 16 and 18:00.
- You can see more pictures and location here: Open Google Maps
Skomielna Czarna Ski Lift – Quick Escape Close to the City
The Ski Lift in Skomielna Czarna is about 60 kilometers from the center of Krakow, which means around a 60-70 minute drive. However, I think it’s worth mentioning that if there’s traffic on Zakopane, this can stretch out a bit. The ski resort has a single track that’s 700 meters long and a beginner’s slope that’s 100 meters long. There’s a plate lift on site. The only downside is the short opening hours. They’re open until 19:00.
- You can see more pictures and location here: Open Google Maps
Cieniawa-Ski Station – A Bit Further but Still Doable
Finally, the furthest proposal from Krakow, but still within reach. Cieniawa-Ski station, the last spot in our list for skiing near Krakow, will require a bit more time for the commute. At 120 kilometers from the center of Krakow, roughly a 2-hour drive, the ski station has three lifts of about 350, 500, and 50 meters long. So, it’s more suited for less advanced skiers. The downside here too is the short opening hours, only open until 20:00.
- You can see more pictures and location here: Open Google Maps
References:
- https://www.skionline.pl/stacje/warunki-narciarskie-w-okolicach-krakowa,newsy,6291.html
- https://krakow.naszemiasto.pl/tag/gdzie-na-narty-blisko-krakowa
