I assume Zakopane would not compare to the skiing you get in say The Three Vally's, Verbier or Val d'Isere The guys I go skiing with think it might be good for a Christmas week holiday with a lot of time in the Town and not so much skiing, a fair description?
What is Zakopane like? I went there in summer but it seem very different to a Alpine resort. Would hiring a car be a good idea and can you drive to another ski area?
Is the skiing mainly up and down a few slopes or are there ways of up a series of lifts, one after each other?
Yes, but why? How good or bad is the skiing. I've heard bad and good things but can't make pesuade my (Polish) skiing friends to go there. And what's the Night Life like ?
People from all over the world go skiing to Zakopane. They have t-bars and chair-lifts. Many areas to ski. But Aspen and Vail have a higher altitude and you get more tired easier.
Zakopane is a one off. At peak season it will give you a bit of everything. No - it's not the Alps. If you are a ski freak then go to the Alps. If you want to ski until 8pm, party until 5am and meet gorgeous women - go to Zakopane. The highest slope is 2000m (above clouds) giving you cable car access and 2 black runs. The majority of the slopes are 1200m red/blue slopes great for beginners/intermediate. Loads of beginner slopes. Nosal is a challenging black/red run. Zakopane is a lively town with loads of shops, restaurants and clubs. Every bar tells a different story - has different characters. Most days are packed with people. Nights are busy at weekends and hit/miss weekday depending on who's in town. Ski slopes are scattered over a 4 mile radius so having a hired car will help you get around - but minibuses also take people around.
I know people who have done the Alps - but somewhow they always find themselves back in Zakopane.
If anyone has more photos, please feel free to post them here. Is there any possibility for Off-Piste. How about Skidoo driven off piste skiing (don't know if thats even possible in the Alps but it must be cheaper than Heli-skiing).
My cousins took me on a tour of southwestern POland when I was there in 2004, Zakopane was beautiful. I would love to go back and do some snowboarding. When I was activated after 9/11 I was stationed in eastern Germany and went a snowboard trip to the Bavarin alps. I had never ridden on fresh powder at that altitude, it was amazing. But I would still love to ride Zakopane.
If anyone has more photos, please feel free to post them here. Is there any possibility for Off-Piste.
Not sure where. Everywhere i've been in Poland these areas are protected adn you can get a fine for going out of bounds. Maybe there are some private pow tours.
Is there any possibility for Off-Piste. How about Skidoo driven off piste skiing
You need to contact one of the locals who can set you up with just about anything for the right price - and it's probably legal. I had a few contacts but am no longer in touch. You have to ask around when you get there.
Is there any possibility for Off-Piste. How about Skidoo driven off piste skiing (don't know if thats even possible in the Alps but it must be cheaper than Heli-skiing).
I assume if you are interested in off-piste skiing (or boarding) you are a reasonable standard. Don't go to Zakopane because it is not that good and also I had problems being allowed off piste. Go to Zakopane for the apres ski and accept the limitations of the slopes by all means but if you want serious off piste then go somewhere like Chamonix/Argentiere or to the US/Canada. If Zakopane was in France you probably wouldn't think of going there. But because it's in Poland you should. (if you see what I mean). It is two years since I was last there mind you. Never saw many skidoos so don't know if it is available. I did see some cool parascending though
You can hire skidoos in Zakopane. Try contacting Richard - he's an English guy who is living there now. He can look after you when you are there or set up things for your arrival. polishslopes.com
Ok, Zakopane is not the best ski destination but I accept that and view it as an holiday destination for more than just skiing. My thinking is that it can be a second skiing holiday on the sly - married guys can tell their wives that is a Christmas mountain retreat holiday and get a few days skiing in and leave the women shopping or something.
The view from the top of the ski jump hill is awesome you can see everywhere ! Ok I was there in summer but there were men ski jumping and landing on the carpet stuff at the bottom ! Definately worth a visit !!!
There is a bus station at the back of Krakow train station from which buses go to Zakopane frequently. It takes a round 2 hours becuase of road works. Cost is 15zl (approx £3)
or taxi - lots of taxi drivers offering drive to Zakopane. They charge around 150zl (£30)
train also goes to Zak but very slow (4 hours) not direct
