Bialka Tatrzanska and Kasprowy Wierch are Poland’s largest and highest skiing areas respectively. Every year they attract crowds of ski enthusiasts from all over Europe. While Bialka is better suited for beginners mastering the secrets of the snow plough and intermediates getting the hang of carving, Kasprowy Wierch, popularly known as the Holy Mountain of Polish Skiers, can offer a significant challenge for seasoned skiers. The best part is that you can ski both resorts on the same day, as they are neatly situated around Zakopane, Poland’s most famous ski resort town. Read on to find out which area is best for your group and how you can enjoy both to the fullest.
The ski season in Bialka typically lasts from late December to early April, with the entire resort covered with snow cannons. As long as the temperatures are low enough, snow is guaranteed throughout the season.
The two most popular periods for having a ski holiday in Bialka Tatrzanska are during New Year’s Eve and during the half-term break in mid-February. Especially in February, skiing conditions are ideal, but the downside is that the crowds are bigger. In March, however, you get few crowds and top-notch conditions. Check out our guide for Zakopane in March.
Ski lessons in Bialka Tatrzanska are readily available for groups and individuals of all skill levels. Due to its popularity and beginner-friendly terrain, there is an abundance of ski schools with English-speaking instructors. If you are with the Snomads, we can also arrange ski lessons tailored to you.
Prices for ski lessons depend on group size and length, but you can typically expect to pay £135 for three hours of one-to-one lessons, which should be enough to get you skiing with confidence on the blue slopes. Moreover, the prices for ski lessons in Bialka are very competitive and come at just a fraction of the cost of ski lessons in the Alps.
Ski pass prices in Bialka Tatrzanska cost around £30 per person which is a fraction of the price of ski passes in the Alps. Moreover, it is part of the bigger Tatry Super Ski pass which grants you access to over 60km of slopes and 95 ski trails. Naturally, the price per day drops if you purchase a pass for multiple days or if you get a group pass.
Prices for renting equipment vary significantly depending on the type of equipment and the duration of the rental. Prices in Bialka roughly range from £10 to £20 per day. However, Snomads guests don’t need to worry about drudging equipment from far away, as we work with a nearby ski shop and arrange transport to it.
When it comes to accommodation options in Białka Tatrzańska, you’ll find a variety of choices to suit your preferences and budget. The most popular options include ski chalets, hotels, or Airbnb.
The Hotel Bania in particular is an iconic choice for the Bialka resort due to its proximity next to the biggest geothermal spa in the region. With its 4 stars, it offers a range of amenities and is a solid choice for individuals and small groups. However, you don’t necessarily need to stay at the hotel to enjoy the spa grounds. You can just as easily stay in an Airbnb depending on your preferences and visit the thermal baths at your leisure.
If you’ve already conquered Bialka Tatrzanska and are looking for a bigger challenge, then you won’t find a better one than Kasprowy Wierch. Kasprowy Wierch, with its almost 2,000m of altitude is Poland’s sole truly Alpine ski resort. With such elevation, the mountain top is usually covered in snow for half of the year, sometimes as early as September, and lasting as late as the early summer months.
Located in the picturesque Tatra mountains, it is a popular tourist destination throughout the year. In summer it is beloved by hikers, while in winter it is unmatched in Poland as a skiing destination. However, there is a caveat, that Kasprowy Wierch is located entirely within a nature park, which means no snow cannons are allowed. Thus, although it’s the place where the most snow is expected, there is no backup in case of extremely warm winters but due to the proximity of the high Tatra mountains, this has been a rare occurrence over the last few seasons.
One of its main attractions is the iconic cable car that transports visitors from the base camp to the summit. The vertical journey offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and lakes, especially in winter. The slopes in Kasprowy Wierch are around 11 kilometers in length and are connected with a reliable lift system that accompanies the main cable car lift.
During the winter season, Kasprowy Wierch becomes the go-to destination for skiers and snowboarders, as the mountain offers a range of slopes suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers. Moreover, you can challenge yourself and go away from the beaten path for some incredible off-piste freeriding. The mountain boasts varied terrain, including open powder fields and tree runs. Keep in mind that these should be attempted only by advanced skiers with proper equipment and knowledge of avalanche safety protocols. If you’re interested in backcountry skiing feel free to get in touch regarding our ski tour and split board tours.
Similarly to Bialka Tatrzanska, the ski season starts in late December and usually goes until early April. However, the best snow conditions are usually around mid-February, during the half-term holiday.
Unfortunately, the Kasprowy Wierch area is not part of the Tatry Super Ski area and you have to buy a separate ski pass to use the lift system. The price of the daily pass in Kasprowy Wierch is just a bit more than £30 and it gives you complete access to the cable car and both chair lifts. Discounts are available when purchasing passes for multiple days or for groups. Although the ski pass is somewhat pricier than in other nearby resorts, it is definitely worth it as it gives expert skiers a lot of bang for their buck.
Getting to the summit requires you to take the cable car from the base camp at Kuznice, located in the south of Zakopane. It’s possible to walk to Kuznice from central Krupowki Street for about 25 minutes, which isn’t great if you’ll be drudging around all your ski equipment. Alternatively, there are buses about every half hour that go there. However, Snomads’ guests can benefit from our shuttle service and get to the gondola hassle-free every day. Check out our ski chalets in Zakopane.
The area inside Zakopane is bristling with mountain lodges, cafes, and restaurants where visitors can savor traditional Polish cuisine, warm up with hot beverages, and socialize with fellow skiers. At the very top of Kasprowy Wierch, you can find the highest restaurant in all of Poland – Poziom1959. The nightlife in Zakopane is pretty lively with multiple options for going out and having a blast in the best clubs in Zakopane.
Bialka Tatrzanska and Kasprowy Wierch are two of the most popular ski resorts in Poland, neatly located around Poland’s winter capital – Zakopane. The Bialka resort is one of the best locations to learn how to ski in Eastern Europe, with forgiving terrain, and expert English-speaking instructors that only charge a fraction of the prices that you would pay in the Alps. Kasprowy Wierch, on the other hand, is well-suited for expert skiers and freeride enthusiasts and is Poland’s only Alpine ski resort. There are multiple accommodation options, but for groups under 13, Snomads’ ski chalets are the option that offers the most benefits in terms of fun, privacy, and that home-away-from-home feeling.
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