Poland
The infrastructure of Polish ski resorts was highly appreciated by European tour operators and EU experts, who noted good prospects for the development of this sector. Hundreds of tourist centers in the Polish part of the Sudetenland and the Western Carpathians have already been built, and transport links are well developed here.
The most famous Polish resort is Zakopane, it is often called the winter capital of the country. It is located in the Tatras (a mountain range belonging to the Western Carpathians), at an altitude of 850 m above sea level, 100 km from Krakow. The main ski peak is Kasprovy Verh (1985 m), where one of the most difficult Gasenetsov trails is laid. There are trails of medium and low difficulty, including for slalom and snowboarding, all slopes are equipped with snow cannons.
However, the ski areas here belong to different owners, so it is unlikely that you will be able to buy a single ski pass. Nevertheless, the wonderful mild climate, the Tatra National Park, many museums and art galleries, cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops allow you to spend a pleasant and eventful vacation.
The largest ski center in Beskydy – Szcyrk – is located 120 km from Krakow. In terms of the number of facilities and trails, it is not inferior to Alpine centers, 50 km of trails are served by 31 lifts. From the exotic, sledding, dog sledding, horse-drawn skiing are offered. Compared to Zakopane, it is cheaper and more convenient in Szyrka: you can buy a single ski pass, the hotels are much closer to the lifts.
The third most important resort in Poland is Shklarska Poreba, located 140 km from Wroclaw, in the Sudetenland, especially loved by the Germans. The altitude difference at this resort is 582 m (the highest point is 1390 m), the total length of the ski slopes is more than 20 km.
Numerous winter tourist centers in Poland are now experiencing an upsurge. Their popularity is facilitated by the proximity to balneological resorts, where diseases of the musculoskeletal system, skin, nervous, vascular and respiratory systems, endocrinological and gynecological diseases are successfully treated.
The Polish resort real estate market began to develop largely due to the demand from foreigners. If earlier in Zakopane it was possible to buy only land, a house or a hotel that required reconstruction (most of the proposals related to the secondary market), now modern chalets are being built here. Turnkey apartments with an area of 30-80 sq. m. apartments are offered at 800-1200 euros per 1 sq. m. Villa 150-250 sq. m. m can cost from 200,000 to 800,000 euros. It is important that foreigners need to request permission from the Polish Interior Ministry when buying real estate, and this takes 2-3 months. However, as a rule, a real estate company is engaged in the preparation of a request and paperwork.
Slovakia
The resorts of this country have excellent conditions for skiing, and the climate here is very comfortable in winter. Reasonable prices and a whole network of balneological treatment centers, which covers more than 20 resorts, make Slovakia extremely popular among tourists from both Russia and Western Europe. The most famous winter resorts are Smokovets, Stara Lesna, Tatranska Lomnica, Strbske Pleso in the High Tatras and Jasna in the Low Tatras. It is believed that the Low Tatras are more suitable for active and experienced skiers, and the High Tatras are recommended for a relaxing holiday with children.
The best ski slopes in Slovakia for any level of training are located in the Jasna resort: there are five "black", seven "red" and six "blue" slopes on the slopes, there are trails for children, places for skiing on motor sleds, snowboards and sleds. There are prepared trails for cross-country skiing (30 km long), and there are hiking trails. The total length of the trails is 57 km, they are located at an altitude of 950 to 2024 m.
In the High Tatras, the main resort is considered to be Strbske Pleso on the shore of the lake of the same name. The skiing heights here range from 1300 to 1915 m, there are three trails of medium difficulty, two light, equipped and special routes for night skiing. This is a very picturesque resort, where local and international competitions in various winter sports are regularly held.
By the beginning of the season, hotel rooms in the resorts of Slovakia begin to be reserved in June-July, although thanks to a large selection of hotels, free rooms can be found even on the "hottest" days – from mid-December to January 7.
As in Poland, there are also hydrotherapeutic clinics specializing in the treatment of allergic and asthmatic diseases near Slovak mountain resorts. In terms of the number of thermal springs and the quality of mineral water, the country is one of the European leaders.
In the ski resorts of Slovakia, not only land is for sale (from 25 euros per 1 sq. m.), but also mini-hotels (from 200,000 euros) and private houses (25,000 - 150,000 euros). Complex development is also developing – usually these are buildings for 8-10 apartments worth 700-1500 euros per 1 sq. m. In Slovakia, foreign individuals and legal entities are allowed to acquire private ownership of any residential and commercial real estate, as well as land plots for construction. Restrictions for non-residents relate only to the purchase of agricultural land.
Czech Republic
Recently, the mountain resorts of the Czech Republic have become increasingly famous. There are quite a lot of them, they are famous for stable weather conditions and are considered relatively inexpensive.
The largest and most famous of them is Shpindlerov Mlyn in the picturesque area of the Sudeten Mountains, in the center of the Krkonoshe massif. 26 km of ski slopes (from "blue" to "black") and more than 100 km of cross-country ski trails are laid at an altitude of 715 to 1300 m. In Shpindlerov Mlyny, on one of the "black" trails with a length of 550 m with a height difference of 180 m, the FIS World Cup competitions are held.
Another of the famous Czech winter resorts – Harrachov – is located in the western part of Krkonos, on the border with Poland. Thanks to artificial snow, the season lasts five months here, the snow cover is ideal for both downhill and cross-country skiing, there are slopes for snowboarders. The height difference ranges from 700 to 1200 m. There is a ski school, tennis courts, sauna, fitness center, swimming pools in Harrachov; skis, scooters and bicycles can be rented.
Krkonose, 130 km from Prague, is a national park, with many large and small ski centers on its territory, including God's Gift, which is located just 28 km from Karlovy Vary, on the border with Germany and is considered one of the highest in Central Europe. Due to its convenient location, Germans love Czech resorts no less than Polish ones: For example, there is a regular direct bus service from Berlin to Spindlerov Mlyn, and Liberec, the largest city in the north of the Czech Republic, is called the "German capital of the Iser Mountains."
Both inexpensive private houses are offered for sale here – for 30,000 - 80,000 euros, and mini-hotels from 200,000 euros. There is a choice of apartments ranging from 30 to 130 square meters. in complexes under construction with their own infrastructure – sauna, swimming pool, gym, restaurant, garage and parking, the cost of such housing is 1500-3000 euros per 1 sq. m
. It should be remembered that in the Czech Republic non–residents can purchase real estate only for a company registered in the country, but this simple procedure will cost inexpensively - 1500-2000 euros.
