The ski season in the Czech Republic, which runs from October to March, can be enjoyed in a total of 23 ski resorts: the majority of which are found along the length of the Czech border. This Central European country—sharing borders with Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Poland—is literally surrounded by mountains. As such, it enjoys endless kilometres of top-quality alpine skiing and snowboarding slopes, cross-country routes and bobsleighing tracks. There are also many ski and snowboard schools—offering classes to children and adults alike—in addition to equipment rental shops.
Where are the best ski resorts in the Czech Republic?
Some of the Czech Republic’s most popular ski resorts include the Šumava National Park (Národní park Šumava) in the south-west, the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory) in the north-west and the Giant Mountains (Krkonoše) in the north. The Czech Republic also has several resorts that are suitable for novices. One such example is the small ski centre of Monínec, located just 100 kilometres outside of Prague.
Each of the ski resorts are also home to various accommodation, restaurant and leisure facilities, giving tourists the chance to sample typical Czech cuisine, recharge their batteries and enjoy the local nightlife. Below is a list of some of the most popular ski resorts in the Czech Republic.
Giant Mountains: home to intrepid skiers in the Czech Republic
The Krkonoše National Park—more commonly known as the Giant Mountains, in English—is unquestionably one of the most popular skiing destinations in the Czech Republic. Considered Central Europe’s northernmost mountain range (and the highest in the Czech Republic), the Giant Mountains act as a natural border between northern Czech Republic and southern Poland. Declared a National Park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, these mountains are famous for their 500 kilometres of cross-country trails. They are also known for having a ski resort in each of their isolated villages. Let’s take a look at some of them!
Špindlerův Mlýn: the main ski resort
This small village of 1,100 inhabitants, nestled in the middle of the Giant Mountains, is home to the tallest mountain in the Czech Republic. This is the Sněžka mountain, standing at 1,602 metres above sea level. It is considered the country’s most important winter sports complex owing to its massive infrastructure, which includes: 5 cable cars, 11 ski lifts, 85 kilometres of cross-country skiing routes and 25 different slopes—the majority of which are red, but there are also several blue and black slopes. The Špindlerův Mlýn ski resort also includes a 4-kilometre bobsleigh track, a kids’ ice skating rink and the opportunity to go paragliding from one of its cliffs. It should come as no surprise that this resort hosts the Giant Slalom World Cup every year.
Visitors often comment on the resort’s interesting buildings, which preserve their original 1920s design, and the cultural events that are organised in the area on a regular basis throughout the year. We should also mention the comprehensive and wide-reaching après-ski services, with various restaurants, bars and night clubs that are perfect for an enjoyable night in the mountains.
Recommended ski school: Yellow Point Špindlerův Mlýn (+420 731 160 152).
Janské Lázně: the perfect combination of skiing and thermal baths
The spa city of Janské Lázně, located on the eastern edge of the Krkonoše National Park, is one of the five interconnected resorts comprising the Černá hora – Pec ski resort, the largest in the Czech Republic. Combined with the four other ski resorts—Černý Důl, Svoboda nad Úpou, Velká Úpa and Pec pod Sněžkou—the Černá hora – Pec winter sports complex comprises 41 kilometres of downhill slopes and 70 kilometres of cross-country tracks. Visitors can also make use of the SkiTour Express snowplough service, which will transport them from one resort to another.
If you don’t fancy moving between the different resorts, remember that the Janské Lázně area alone is home to fourteen different ski slopes (with a combined distance of 11 kilometres), an eight-person cable car and an enjoyable 3.5-kilometre bobsleigh track with a 560-metre drop, guaranteeing an intense adrenaline rush. As we mentioned at the start of the article, this is the only city in the Krkonoše region with a spa, which is of a comparable standard to the well-known spa destinations Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně.
Recommended ski school: K+K Ski School Janské Lázně (+420 731 655 430)
Benecko: the best resort for beginners
Located in the southernmost foothills of the Giant Mountains lies the small village of Benecko. Connected to the Czech grassland by a narrow motorway which winds its way up the side of the mountain, Benecko is pleasantly peaceful and exudes a sense of genuine isolation. Its snow-covered landscape is home to a smattering of small wooden houses with smoking chimneys—why not see if you can spot them all from the top of the mountain?
Its ski resort contains everything from black and red ski slopes to shorter, less steep routes. The latter are perfect for novice skiers who aren’t quite ready to take on the more challenging slopes. Some parts don’t require ski passes, making these perfect for families with inexperienced younger skiers. There are 12 ski slopes in total, some of which are completely illuminated by floodlights, meaning you can continue to enjoy them well after the sun goes down.
Recommended ski school: Ski-lift – Hanč Sport Club Benecko (+420 481 582 145)
Czech Skipass: the most comprehensive ski pass in the Czech Republic
Depending on your personal situation, it might work out better to purchase a seasonal ski pass. If this applies to you, the Czech Skipass grants access to the Czech Republic’s 23 main ski resorts between the months of October and March. Children receive a large discount.
