Known as Poland's 'Winter Capital,' Zakopane is the epicentre of Polish highlander culture and the jumping off point for the highest peaks in the Polish Tatras and Tatra National Park. Surrounded by small mostly single-run ski resorts, this small mountain town even had a bid in (later withdrawn) to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. While most of the runs at Zakopane's centrally-located resorts are rather intermediate in terms of skill level, Kasprowy Wierch - just outside in the small village of Kuźnice - is a true alpine ski resort, reaching an elevation of 1987 metres and offering the best black runs in Poland (look online for prices).

Buses run very frequently from Kraków to Zakopane, with a journey time of about 2 hours, and cost of only 20zł. Check e-podroznik.pl for connections.

The winter season starts around the last week of November each year.