Skiing in the Czech Republic

Considering the time and expense involved in traveling south of the Alps, staying close to home is not a bad choice for residents of the Czech Republic.

Believe it or not: There are 300 registered ski resorts in the Czech Republic with a total of 692 kilometers of slopes and more than 900 lifts spread across the country's mountainous regions. Where should you start when looking for the best place to ski?

Many ski areas offer well-groomed slopes, amusement parks and numerous facilities for recreational skiers and families. Whether you're traveling with friends or family, here are 10 Czech ski resorts that are ideal for day trips or weekend getaways.

1-    Spindlerův Mlýn ski area

The Špindlerův Mlýn ski resort is located in the Liberec region (Liberecký kraj) (Czech Republic) and in the Hradec Králové region (Královéhradecký kraj) (Czech Republic). There are 27.8 km of slopes for skiing and snowboarding. 17 lifts transport guests. The winter sports area is between 702 m and 1.235 m height.

The Špindlerův Mlýn ski resort is located in the highest mountains in the Czech Republic, the Giant Mountains. It is one of the most famous and popular winter sports areas in the Czech Republic. The small town of Špindlerův Mlýn is located in the center of the ski area. The districts of Bedřichov, Labská and Svatý Petr nestle on the slopes of the small town on the banks of the Elbe. Ski lifts serve the slopes on both sides of the river valley. Above the 1,235 m high Medvědín peak, the highest point in the ski area accessible by ski lift, the municipality of Horní Mísečky is also connected by slopes and ski lifts. The varied range of slopes is complemented by fun trails, a permanent race track and a snow park. In addition to skiing, the Špindlerův Mlýn winter sports area is also known for its range of cross-country ski trails. Numerous cross-country trails continuously cross the ski slopesç

2-    Klinovec-Neklid

Best for: Families (four moving carpets take the kids up and down the slopes), snowboarders and freeskiers check out the renovated Cool Fun Park.

The Klinovec-Neklid ski area, one of the largest in the Czech Republic, is located in the Ore Mountains near the German border. The recently concluded agreement between Klinovec and the neighboring Bozi Dar-Neklid ski resort offers skiers 31 kilometers of interconnected slopes, all with just one lift ticket and without having to take off their skis. The maximum height of Klinovec is 1.244 meters.

And with four conveyor belts for transporting children around the slopes, the ski resort is considered the most family-friendly in the Czech Republic.

Snowboarders and freeskiers can try out their best tricks in the renovated Cool Fun Park and Snowpark Neklid, one of the oldest snow parks in the country.

3-    Černá hora-Pec

Best for: Slides and panoramic views; The ski area has the country's only eight-person gondola lift, the Cernohorsky Express.

The Černá hora-Pec ski resort, which rises above the village of Pec pod Sněžkou, is another favorite in the Giant Mountains. A two-section cable car, modernized in 2014, takes skiers to the summit of Sněžka, the highest mountain in the Czech Republic at 1,603 meters.

Skiers and snowboarders can let off steam on the slopes of the neighboring ski area, which is located in a picturesque valley with panoramic views of the highest mountains in the country. Fifty kilometers of slopes with 27 lifts. For the more adventurous, there is the Funline Snowpark with steep curves, berms and a tunnel. The ski area also has the country's only eight-person gondola lift, the Cernohorsky Express.

The lower part of the Javor slope in Pec is open to families between 4 and 5 p.m. with a magic carpet for children. It is also a good place for tobogganing.

4-    Rokytnice nad Jizerou

Ideal for: Less advanced skiers and children who want to learn to ski.

With its wide slopes and beautiful views, Roktynice nad Lizerou is a good choice for less advanced skiers. This ski resort, also located in the Giant Mountains, offers forty slopes over 22 kilometers of hilly terrain.

The summit of Lysa Hora is at an altitude of 1.344 meters. The ski area is served by two main chairlifts and 30 additional chairlifts. There is also a snow park. Rokytnice nad Jizerou is an excellent choice for teaching small children to ski.

5-    Lipno

Ideal for: Families and beginners looking for gentle slopes (only three lifts).

South of Prague lies the Lipno ski resort in the Bohemian Forest, in the Český Krumlov district, which is part of the South Bohemian region. With 12 kilometers of gentle slopes and three ski lifts, it is an ideal destination for beginners and families.

Lipno nad Vltavou, located at an altitude of 730 meters, is a pretty village on the banks of the Vltava, right next to the Lipno reservoir. Visitors can choose from a variety of dining and accommodation options or visit the treetop trail, which is open year-round.

6-    Kouty nad Desnou

The largest ski resort in Moravia is located in Kouty nad Desnou in the Jeseníky Mountains in the northeast of the country. It is also close to the second highest mountain in the Czech Republic, Praděd, which rises to 1492 m.

The ski area is equipped with modern facilities inspired by Alpine countries, including the country's first 6-seater chairlift. The ski area is suitable for both adults and families with children, who can have fun on the gentle slopes, which are more than 3 km long. The complex has a children's playground, a magic carpet, a snow park, cross-country ski trails, restaurants, a shop, a ski rental, a ski school and other services. There is a technological attraction near the ski area: the Dlouhé Stráně pumping power station. Have you ever seen a "ditch" hill with a water reservoir? This marvel of technology is not to be missed, so we recommend booking a visit online in advance.

7-    Janské Lázně: the perfect combination of skiing and thermal baths

The spa town of Janské Lázně is located in the eastern part of the Krkonoše National Park and is one of the five interconnected ski resorts that form the largest ski resort in the Czech Republic, Černá hora - Pec. Together with the other four ski centers - Černý Důl, Svoboda nad Úpou, Velká Úpa and Pec pod Sněžkou - the Černá hora - Pec winter sports complex includes 41 kilometers of downhill slopes and 70 kilometers of cross-country ski trails. Visitors can also use the SkiTour Express snow plow service, which transports them from one ski resort to another.

If you don't feel like going back and forth between the different ski areas, remember that in the Janské Lázně area alone there are fourteen different ski slopes (with a total length of 11 kilometers), an eight-person gondola lift and a pleasant 3.5 Kilometer-long bobsleigh track with a 560-meter-long descent that guarantees an intense adrenaline rush. As already mentioned at the beginning, Harrachov is the only city in the Giant Mountains that has a spa comparable to the well-known spa towns of Karlovy Vary and Mariánské Lázně.

8-    Harrachov

The Harrachov ski area is ideal for skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. There are groomed slopes of all levels of difficulty for skiers and snowboarders every day. The slopes are covered with snow using a snowmaking system, which enables skiing five months a year, from the end of November to April. The town of Harrachov is one of the most important ski resorts in the Czech Republic thanks to its location, surrounding terrain and numerous ski lifts. The Harrachov ski area also offers ideal conditions for cross-country skiing, snowboarding and downhill skiing of all levels. Harrachov is famous for its ski jumps: K8, K15, K40, K70, K90, K120, K185.

9-    Pec pod Sněžkou

The Pec pod Sněžkou ski resort has ski slopes of various levels of difficulty, from Louček for children to more difficult runs. This ski area is particularly suitable for families with children. At night there are lifts on the slopes that are artificially lit. The Javor slope is the longest and best for night skiing in the Czech Republic. There is a large amusement park here for snowboarders. Cross-country skiing is possible in the Krkonošská magistrála. Here you will find all services: hotels, guesthouses, swimming pools, discos, restaurants in the center, cable car, ski lifts and all related services.

10- Říčky

The Říčky winter ski area is one of the best ski areas in the Eagle Mountains due to its altitude and the favorable orientation of the slopes and their length. It offers excellent conditions for skiers and other winter sports enthusiasts. The main winter and summer holiday resorts are Říčky and Deštné Čenkovice. It offers a variety of ski slopes ranging from blue to black difficulty. Zakletý Mountain is also the starting point for cross-country skiers on the main slope of the Eagle Mountains. Other services: ski school, ski service, ski rental, parking lot and cafeteria.