Let yourself be tempted by winter in the Tatras and enjoy all the activities it offers. Thanks to a wide range of activities such as world-class skiing, hiking and skitouring through the snow-covered forest, cross-country skiing on groomed trails, winter attractions and relaxation in the hotel's wellness centre, there is something for everyone in the family.
We recommend you to visit Rainer's cottage, where the skilful cottager Mr. Petras will make a handmade Nativity scene before Christmas and a giant Easter Egg at Easter under favourable snow conditions. From there it is only a short walk to the Cold Stream Waterfalls, which offer unforgettable views in winter thanks to the ice. Active members of the family can try more than 75 km of groomed cross-country ski trails during the winter season. The largest cross-country ski resort is Štrbské Pleso, which offers 8 professionally groomed cross-country ski trails and can be used throughout the winter thanks to artificial snow. In case of good snow cover, the resort Tatranská Lomnica, Starý Smokovec will offer more than 40 km of cross-country ski tracks this winter, a new cross-country ski track of medium difficulty in the length of 8.7 km Tatranská Lomnica - Tatranská Kotlina will be a novelty.
If you want to enjoy the majestic panorama of the snow-covered Tatras, you can take a modern cable car to the second highest peak of the High Tatras - Lomnicky Peak - to an altitude of 2,634 m above sea level. An unforgettable culinary experience is the combination of a sightseeing balloon flight over the Tatras with top gastronomy. Kuulinair is a combination of quality food and unconventional experiences www.kulinair.sk
New for 2023 is the return of the popular TatryCard product, which will open the door to all experiences in the Tatras. Thanks to the TatryCard, you will be able to travel more conveniently on ZSSK trains on the routes of TEŽ, Ozubnicova železnice and on the line Poprad-Tatry - Studený Potok - Tatranská Lomnica. The TatryCard also includes a discount to great museums, interactive galleries and gastronomic services. You can buy it online at www.tatrycard.tatry.sk or in some accommodation.
Take a tram trip to Poprad and enjoy the magical Christmas decorations, which are considered to be the most beautiful in Slovakia. After a stroll through the illuminated Poprad, you can definitely relax in the Aquacity Poprad water park, which includes 14 outdoor and indoor pools and heated pools with a water temperature of 28 - 30 C, water slides, children's play areas, restaurants and more than 350 water attractions. During your visit, don't miss the two-storey Fire&Water Wellness&Spa wellness centre, which features various types of saunas, relaxation rooms, a love cove, an ice cave and a relaxation pool and whirlpool. In the wellness centre you can also enjoy several sauna shows, whether it is ceremonies, peeling shows or music therapy in the relaxation room.
Where to go with children in the region
You can enjoy the winter idyll in the Tatras with your children in favourable snow conditions every day on the 2.6 km long illuminated toboggan run from Hrebienok to Starý Smokovec, several times a week there is also a night toboggan run with a beautiful starry atmosphere.
In the heart of Stary Smokovec you can also find the highest artificially cooled ice surface in Slovakia just below Hrebienok Resort II, or you can go crazy on the tobogganing starting simulator. After a day outdoors, it's a good idea to warm up by visiting at least one interactive gallery such as Tricklandia (Starý Smokovec), Kvantárium (Hrebienok), Poliankovo (Tatranská Polianka), Dobrá hračka (Tatranská Lomnica). Boys and many girls will surely enjoy the world of pedal cars Pedal Planet in Nová Polianka.
Winter hiking
The Tatras offer many hiking opportunities not only in summer but also in winter. In addition to the Chata pod Rysmi, you can visit 12 high Tatra mountain chalets. Families with children are recommended to walk from the tram stop Popradské Pleso to the lake itself along the blue trail (1h 15min). There you will be warmed by a great cabbage soup and chalet tea at one of the two alpine chalets - Majláthova chata and chata pri Popradské Pleso.
More demanding tourists can climb from Hrebienok through Zamkovský chata to Téry chata. The journey from Hrebienok to the highest hut with year-round operation will take about 3 hours and with a good snow cover it can be managed even on skialp skis, provided that there is no high avalanche risk. Beginners who are getting acquainted with uphill skiing can also try skitouring at the chalet on Popradské Pleso, or the groomed slopes of Štrbské Pleso and Tatranská Lomnica.
Winter Unique
The most popular winter attraction of the High Tatras - the Tatra Ice Dome - opens its gates for the 11th time. After ice buildings inspired by architecture from different parts of the world, this year the ice dome is inspired by a rare personality and has a British touch. More information about the Tatra Ice Dome can be found at this link.
Overview of ski resorts:
Tatranská Lomnica - There are 12 km of ski slopes of different difficulty, including the highest and steepest ski slope in Lomnickom saddle (2190 m above sea level). The longest 6.5 km long and up to 60 m wide carving track from Lomnický sedlo to Tatranská Lomnica will satisfy even the most demanding skiers. New for the youngest and beginners is the smaller Junior lift on the Beech Mountain slope and the Wilderness Journey - a slalom around the animals from the Tatra wilderness. You can relax and replenish your energy in the Panorama Restaurant & Café at Skalnat Pleso, in Pizza & Pasta Štart at the Štart station or in the largest Apres-ski bar in Slovakia.
Štrbské Pleso - The highest situated ski resort with the lower station at an altitude of up to 1351 m above sea level and the longest ski season in Slovakia offers 9 km of ski runs. Easy and intermediate slopes are suitable for families with children as well as for advanced skiers. Refreshments are waiting for you at the Chalet pod Soliskom. Photo Marek Hajkovský winter season 9 or 10
