Zakopane, Poland

Zakopane is a gorges place although it can get very crowded and getting to it can be awkward. The prices have crept up in recent years. It can be very disorganized too, with lifts next to each other needing different passes due to being owned by different people. plus side most lifts are cheap

I found the bus service to be also disorganized although once you figure it out the buses are cheap and during the day services are good, not so at night

I would say hire a car! Stay away from Sixt and also there is a company offering cheap second hand cars for rental in Krakow, stay away from them too

Sunshine Holidays are good but you can go cheaper DIY

I going back in January for the 12 time

Why when I think about going skiing does a voice in my head say "Poland, no"?

Do not go there for skiing. Go only if you want to experience something different.
It will be EXTREMELY busy, SMALL and disorganised.
If you want to experience nice food and beautiful girls give it a try. For skiing even polish people will go to Slovakia or Alps.   Edited 1 time. Last update at 28/11/2009 21:05:44

Tom W wrote:Do not go there for skiing. Go only if you want to experience something different.
It will be EXTREMELY busy, SMALL and disorganised.
If you want to experience nice food and beautiful girls give it a try. For skiing even polish people will go to Slovakia or Alps.

I agree with Tom. There is only one descent run and snow is unpredictable

But I love the cobblestoned center where all the shops and restaurateur are, also the little market that sells wooden locally made items is something special Take the railway up above the town to a little village, with the views over the mountains and German sausages being cooked on open fires. There used to be a pleasant ski run back into town, but the land owners wanted a million dollars to allow skiing on it

Slovakia usually gets more snow but the slops are usually not so well prepared and while many ski slopes in Poland have lights unlike Slovakia. Slowakia is an hours drive away if not less - no boarder control.   Edited 2 times. Last update at 28/11/2009 23:56:26

I'm in Zakopane over Christmas, is there anywhere that I can hire the clothing and get lessons. My gf and I are new to down hill skiing.

Steve, you cant hire the clothing.
You can only hire boots, skis and poles (the metal sort not the 2 dollar sort!!)
You should have a superb time in Zakopane as the Christmas and New Year is superb.

cheers,

we will hire ski's, boots and poles.

Where are the best places to learn to ski after we have the clothing?

steveramsfan wrote:cheers,

we will hire ski's, boots and poles.

Where are the best places to learn to ski after we have the clothing?

Ski schools in alpine resorts usually....!