ACCOMMODATION
ZAKOPANE
The TATRAS
SUMMER in Zakopane
SKI in Zakopane
Skiing near Zakopane
WINTER in Zakopane
when to come - ZAKOPANE AT ITS MOST BEAUTIFUL:
.:In JANUARY the days are short and cold, but skiing conditions usually the best. At the turn of January and February school children have their winter break at schools, which results directly in huge crowds of tourists and skiers everywhere in the town and on slopes. The end of February and the whole month of MARCH are skiers' favourite time.
In APRIL there's still snow galore on Mount Kasprowy. Additionally, the month is known for thousands of tiny crocuses blooming on the Tatra clearings. MAY is a real spring month. IN JUNE Zakopane gets quiet, the days are long and mostly sunny, the mountain paths welcome tourists tired of the crowds.
JULY and AUGUST, the two summer months are the peak season. The easier trails get very crowded, and on sunny days at the most popular peaks there are queues of people waiting to climb the top. There is a lot going on in the town in summer - cultural and recreational events are organised, the most distinguished of all being the Mountain Folklore Festival, held the last week in August for over 39 years now.
SEPTEMBER is a very good month for hiking trips, the days are still long enough, the weather usually good, there are no more holidays crowds. OCTOBER might both be very sunny and chilly with the first snowfalls in the mountains. NOVEMBER is a rest time after a busy tourist season. From the very beginnings of DECEMBER some of the ski slopes are open and well prepared for skiers and snowboarders.
Christmas in Zakopane is an unique experience. The town gets beautifully decorated, usually covered with loads of fresh fallen snow. Small wooden chapels at mountains trails welcome to Midnight Mass. New Year is welcomed outside at hundreds bonfires held everywhere in the town. New Year's balls are organised in pensions, hotels and restaurants. At this time of the year the traditional sleigh rides KULIG enjoy great popularity, horse drawn sleighs with torches are seen and horse bells heard everywhere in the town.
