Looking for a winter getaway that won’t break the bank but still delivers on alpine charm, snowy slopes, and après-ski magic? Let us introduce you to Zakopane, Poland – a fairytale mountain town just two hours from Kraków, tucked at the foot of the Tatra Mountains.

We recently spent a week there skiing, soaking in thermal spas, and eating a lot of grilled cheese. Here’s how it went (and what we’d do again!).

🏡 Our Stay: A Hidden Gem in the Hills

We based ourselves just outside of Zakopane in a beautiful modern chalet-style villa called **Ubocz**. Think open spaces, big windows, fresh air and mountain views – the perfect cosy retreat after long days on the slopes.
✨ *Note:* Because it’s a new build, food delivery drivers had a bit of a nightmare finding us. But once you’re settled in, it’s peaceful, comfortable, and totally worth it.

🎟 The Tatry Super Ski Pass – Ski More, Stress Less

This little pass is a game-changer. The Tatry Super Ski pass gives you access to over 20 ski resorts across Poland and Slovakia, including:

Polana Szymoszkowa – perfect for beginners
Harenda – small but scenic
Meander Ski & Thermal Spa (Slovakia) – more on that gem below!

It’s valid for 1–14 days, and prices are incredibly reasonable (especially compared to the Alps). You just scan in at each resort and hit the slopes – no faff, no stress.

🧠 Holiday Hacker Tip: Buy your pass online in advance to skip the queues and save a few złoty!

⛷ Hitting the Slopes: From Beginner Bumps to Spa Bliss

We had a total beginner in the group, so we kicked things off at **Polana Szymoszkowa** – a gentle, compact slope with a forgiving layout and epic mountain views.

Once confidence levels were up, we took things up a notch with a day trip to Meander Ski & Thermal Spa in Oravice, Slovakia (covered by our ski pass 🙌). It’s just across the border, and it was totally worth it:

Longer, more varied slopes for intermediates
Fewer crowds
And best of all… thermal baths right next to the slopes 💦

After a day skiing, we floated in warm pools with mountain views, jets, a wave pool, and full-body relaxation. Honestly? It was the highlight of the day.

🏔 Zakopane Town: Hogsmeade Energy & Cheese Galore

The town itself feels like a real-life snow globe. Wooden houses, fairy lights, horses pulling sleighs… it gave strong Hogsmeade vibes.

Things we loved:

Oscypek: the local smoked cheese (grilled is 👌, on pizza… controversial).
Cosy cafés and restaurants with hearty Polish dishes
Krupówki Street: the main pedestrian area, perfect for a stroll and souvenir hunt

🚌 Getting There: Flixbus Wins Again

We flew into Kraków and hopped on a Flixbus from the main station straight to Zakopane.

💸 Price: Just £5 per person each way
🕐 Journey time: Around 2 hours
🚍 Bonus: Comfy seats, USB ports, and no stress

We booked online in advance and had zero issues – a smooth start to the trip.

💸 Budget Tips

🎿 Lift passes = great value (especially with Tatry Super Ski)
🧤 Ski hire was affordable(around £15-20pp per day), with lots of rental shops around
👨‍🏫 Ski lessons were a bit pricey, so we skipped them and helped each other
🍽 Eating out = cheap and cheerful, with loads of hearty dishes and mulled wine 🍷

If you’re trying to ski on a budget but still want a bit of adventure, Zakopane ticks a lot of boxes.

🧠 Final Thoughts: Who’s It For?

Zakopane is perfect if you:

✅ Have a mixed group of beginners & intermediates
✅ Want charming scenery + the chance to visit multiple slopes
✅ Love the idea of combining skiing with spa days
✅ Are after a winter break that feels magical without the mega price tag

If you’re an absolute first-timer looking for easier access and English-speaking ski schools, Poiana Brasov in Romania still edges it for ski school vibes. But for a beautiful, varied, and surprisingly affordable winter holiday, Zakopane (and a cheeky trip to Slovakia) is a real winner.

🎿 Skiing in Zakopane: A Winter Week in the Polish Mountains