Skiing in Poland - Białka Tatrzańska Mountain Resort

When I was younger I used to think that skiing in Poland was nowhere near as exciting as going on a ski trip to Western Europe. Comparing Polish mountain resorts with West Europe? No way!

But Poland travel offer gets better and better every year.

When I visited Białka Tatrzańska Mountain Resort in March 2022 I was surprised there was so much snow and so few people. And it was super sunny.

Białka Tatrzańska Poland skiing

Advantages of skiing in Poland

⛷️ Cost - skiing in Poland can often be more budget-friendly compared to the more expensive resorts in Western Europe. Accommodations, lift tickets, and dining options are more affordable, making it an attractive choice for travelers on a tighter budget.

⛷️ Authentic atmosphere - Poland's ski resorts often retain a more authentic and traditional charm, which can be appealing to those seeking a genuine cultural experience along with their skiing.

⛷️ Variety of terrain - Polish mountains offer a variety of skiing terrain and lots of slopes are suitable for beginners and intermediate-level skiers. When I was skiing in Livigno, Italy I got terrified a few times - the red pistes there were as difficult as the black ones in Poland.

⛷️ Closeness to other important places in southern Poland - the mountains are incredibly close to some of the most famous places to visit in Poland - Wieliczka Salt Mine, Auschwitz Concentration Camp and Krakow.

⛷️ Hot springs - there are several fantastic waterparks in the Polish mountains. In Białka Tatrzańska there's Terma Bania. It's a priceless experience to massage tired muscles in hot bubbly water.

Białka Tatrzańska ski resort

Białka Tatrzańska ski resort is the biggest winter sports resort in the Podhale region.

This picturesque village is conveniently located in southern Poland - close to Katowice airport (200 km) and Krakow airport (105 km).

Białka Tatrzańska ski resort consists of four parts: Kotelnica, Kaniówka, Bania and Horników Wierch. These four resorts are connected with each other creating one of the best ski resorts in Poland.

I truly enjoyed skiing in Białka Tatrzańska - I felt as if I was in a Western European mountain resort, only the slopes were milder.

Here are a few facts:

🏂 The ski infrastructure is modern and efficient - the total capacity of Białka ski is 20,000 people per hour!

🏂 The total length of ski runs is 14 km. Most of them (73%) are easy green and blue marked piste.

🏂 Białka Tatrzańska typically has a reliable snow cover during the winter months, making it a good destination for skiing. The skiing season usually starts in December and can extend into the end of March, depending on snow conditions.

🏂 Some of the ski runs have FIS Ski Homologation which means that those slopes are approved to be used for international ski contests.

🏂 Białka Tatrzańska ski resort offers ski equipment rental and ski instructor services, and several free parking lots.

🏂 You won't be skiing hungry - there are several mountain-style restaurants located conveniently on the slopes and at the foot of the hills.

Białka Tatrzańska skipass

Białka Tatrzańska ski resort - photo from Skiinfo.pl

It's called Tatry Super SKI and you may use it in the whole Podhale region and even in Spiš Mountains, Slovakia.

Tatry Super SKI can be used in 18 ski resorts, including those in Pieniny and Gorce Mountains. Total number of ski runs: 95, total length: over 60 km. You may use Tatry Super SKI skipass on 95 different ski lifts.

Here's a list of all ski resorts where you may use Tatry Super SKI skipass:

Ski Centrum Strachan (Zdiar, Slovakia)
Meander Ski & Thermal Park (Oravice, Slovakia)
Bachledka Ski and Sun (Ždiar, Slovakia)
Bania Ski & Fun (Białka Tatrzańska)
Kaniówka (Białka Tatrzańska)
Kotelnica Białczańska (Białka Tatrzańska)
Horników Wierch (Białka Tatrzańska)
Harenda (Zakopane)
Polana Szymoszkowa (Zakopane)
Rusiń-Ski (Bukowina Tatrzańska)
Czorsztyn Ski (Kluszkowce)
GrapaSki (Czarna Góra)
Koziniec (Czarna Góra)
Jurgów Ski (Jurgów)
Stacja Narciarska Suche (Suche)
Witów-Ski (Witów)
PKL Palenica (Szczawnica)
Długa Polana (Nowy Targ)

You may purchase Białka Tatrzańska skipass in several places:

ticket offices in the ski resorts
ticket machines near the ski lifts
online store - you can buy it here. Note that the skipass online sale will start on the first day of opening the ski resort and this depends on the atmospheric conditions.

You may check the skipass prices here.

Skibus

Skiing in Białka Tatrzańska - photo from Phototrans.pl

Ski buses in Białka Tatrzańska connect all the ski resorts in the area.

They usually shuttle from December 27th until March 20th although this may depend on the ski resort opening and the number of skiers (ie. atmospheric conditions).

Skibus ride is free of charge.

The buses shuttle every few minutes - in Białka Tatrzańska ski resort it's like in Western Europe.

Here's the Google Maps link showing the first stop of the ski bus and here's the last stop.

Białka Tatrzańska thermal baths

What I especially like about Białka Tatrzańska ski resort is the proximity of thermal baths.

Bania thermal pools are located just at the foot of Kotelnica and Bania Ski & Fun resorts - this beautiful water park is a ski-in ski-out place. It's connected to Bania Hotel - you may check the available rooms and apartments here.

Hot springs in Tatra Mountains are famous for their therapeutic benefits. The mineral-rich thermal water (with bubbles! ❤️) is known to have various positive effects, including aiding in the relaxation of muscles, relieving stress, and providing relief for joint and muscle pain.

Białka Tatrzańska thermal baths include a range of thermal pools, both indoor and outdoor, filled with mineral-rich water. There are also recreational pools, wave pools, and children's pools with additional water attractions. The water temperature in the pools is regulated for comfort.

Bania Waterpark features also a variety of water slides, including tube slides, body slides, and multi-lane racing slides. There are wellness and relaxation areas with saunas, hot tubs, and spa treatments.

I must admit that Bania water park is my favourite place with hot springs in Tatra Mountains region. It's big, it's modern and conveniently located. And warm bubbly water is particularly soothing after a day of skiing.

Best places to stay in Białka Tatrzańska

hotel bania thermal ski bialka tatrzanska poland

There are many various places to stay to cater to different preferences and budgets. When choosing your accommodation in Białka Tatrzańska, consider your priorities, such as proximity to the ski slopes, amenities, and budget.

I recommend you book in advance, especially during the peak winter season, to secure your preferred lodging.

I've chosen the best places according to our own experience and also ratings on Booking.com.

Hotel Bania Thermal & Ski - we've already stayed there 3 times and will come back for sure. It's a beautiful ski-in ski-out hotel. We love the mountain-style decor, ski amenities, friendly staff and delicious buffet meals. Unlimited access to Bania thermal amenities is included in the price. Hotel Bania offers ski rental ("Waluś Ski") and skipass sale services.

Karcma Hajnos Pokoje - another perfect place if you're interested in skiing in Białka Tatrzańska. Ski-in ski-out guesthouse located a 5-minute walk from Bania Thermal Spa. It features ski equipment rental and skipass sale. Besides location, guests are content with beautiful mountain-style decor, views from the windows and friendly staff.

Machajówka - perfect option if you'd like to stay in an apartment. Guests appreciate the lovely decor, comfort, mountain views from the windows and cleanliness of the apartments.

Aśka - budget-friendly guesthouse located close to chair lifts. Guests are happy with the atmosphere and cleanliness. The owner is super friendly and ready to help and advise on the best things to do in Białka Tatrzańska.

Best time to visit Białka Tatrzańska ski resort

For me, Białka Tatrzańska is one of the most beautiful villages in Poland. I've visited it with my family three times - at the beginning of December, at the end of May and at the beginning of March.

I definitely recommend going skiing in Białka Tatrzańska in the first part of March, on the weekdays if possible.

The photos in this post were taken on the 14th of March. There was still a lot of snow on the slopes and the weather was as the photos present 🙂

Oh, and there were few people on the slopes. I had a lot of space, there were practically no lift lines, and generally, in Białka Tatrzańska ski resort the atmosphere was quiet and relaxing.

Another advantage of skiing in Poland in March is the fact that the days are long. No need to use artificial lights on the slopes at 4 PM like in January.

Also, in March, the weather is milder and more comfortable than in the heart of winter. The temperatures are often less extreme, making skiing a more pleasant experience.

I was truly delighted during my ski trip to Białka in March and hope you will be too, no matter what time of the year you choose.

How to get there?

If you're planning to travel by plane, the closest airports in Poland will be:

✈️ Kraków Airport (full name: John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice) - located 101.5 km from the ski resort, it takes about 1.5 hours to travel.

✈️ Katowice Wojciech Korfanty Airport - located 196 km away, it takes about 2.5 hours to get to Białka Tatrzańska ski resort.

Booking.com offers cheap flight booking services - you may compare flights from 500+ airlines to destinations around the world.

You can check deals on flights here:

The most convenient and fast way to travel to villages in Poland is to rent a car. When we need to rent a car we always use Rentalcars.com and are happy with them, never had any issues with this company.

You may also visit Krakow city, spend there a few days and then head into the mountains. Here's a 5-day itinerary including Krakow and Zakopane.

Buses from Kraków to Białka Tatrzańska

If you prefer to travel to Białka Tatrzańska from Krakow by bus the most efficient way would be Flixbus or Szwagropol.

You can get a direct bus from Kraków Central Bus Station to Białka Tatrzańska. Buses shuttle every two hours - you can check the timetable and prices here.

If you'd like to go to Białka Tatrzańska by bus and straight from the Kraków airport, the only option will be Flixbus. They don't have a lot of options from the airport to Białka but at least they offer direct shuttles. You may check the Flixbus timetable here.

It's definitely easier to travel Poland from Kraków City. Buses shuttle from the Central Bus Station in Kraków located on Bosacka 18 Street, right next to the main train station. Here's a Google Maps link to Krakow Central Bus Station.

Szwagropol:

Choose the line: Kraków → Nowy Targ → Bukowina Tatrzańska

Szwagropol buses shuttle towards Białka Tatrzańska from G18 and G19 stations.

There are no trains going to Białka Tatrzańska.

Safe skiing

Skiing safety is of greatest importance for an enjoyable and injury-free winter vacation.

When skiing in Slovakia my husband Bartosz dislocated his shoulder and was transported to the hospital in Zakopane. It was an extremely painful experience and he was recovering for a very long time.

But he was stubborn about getting better and never dislocating his shoulder again. He succeeded - he fully recovered and, so far, hasn't dislocated his shoulder again. He goes skiing every winter and run in a few half-marathons and one full marathon.

📌 Shoulder dislocation - everything you need to know to get better (personal story included).

📌 6 rules to stay safe on the slopes.