A visit to the region of northern Spiš and Pieniny in winter brings a lot of varied experiences despite the apparent peace. After the summer's bountiful supply of tourists, nature is quiet and relaxing, but this does not mean that the tourism industry is also relaxing. On the contrary, anyone can become a master of leisure in this region.
The most varied offer of winter sports for the whole family is traditionally offered by the village of Ždiar. If the natural snow is not sufficient, but the freezing conditions allow it, the ski slopes are prepared with technical snow much earlier. Several well-maintained slopes in Ždiar (SKI Centrum Strednica, SKI Centrum Strachan, SKI Monkova Dolina, SKI Bekeš, SKI Krasuľa) and many accommodation options attract many guests to the village every year.
Magical landscape in Bachledka
The Bachledka Ski&Sun resort offers the most services for visitors in Ždiar. A new feature is the new Training Centre, which serves mainly members of ski clubs, and a new ski slope, which is named after the brothers Otto and Vlad Krajňák - legends of Slovak skiing. The length of the course exceeds 920 m and the elevation is 212 m. Otto Krajňák is a holder of the Crystal Globe for winning the Veterans World Cup and a multiple world champion of the Masters category. For ski mountaineers, the resort has marked a new skialp route from Bachledova dolina to the top of Spišská Magura. Cross-country skiers can enjoy a 14 km long sightseeing track along the ridge of Spišská Magura towards Ždiar.
At Bachledka Ski&Sun, the fun on the slopes doesn't stop there. The resort has prepared an experiential evening program, The Enchanted Landscape, which will light up in an accompanying program on December 27, 2023, and will be open to visitors three times a week. Every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., visitors can enjoy an evening walk through the Treetop Walkway under the stars by moonlight as well as a fun evening sledding session on the 2.5 km long sledding track. Walkway through the treetops is illuminated by a light chain up to 1,234 metres long. In front of the entrance gate, there is a light exhibition that draws you into a magical world of lights. The evening atmosphere adds an unrepeatable magical atmosphere to the whole experience. The resort also prepares a music programme, snow parties and live folk music concerts throughout the winter season and quality catering services in the PANORÁMA restaurant.
Levoča Valley is open again after a year
Quality skiing with great views can also be experienced in Levoča valley. There are ski lifts for adults and children in the Levočská Dolina Resort. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, it also offers many other services and attractions, such as a ski school and nursery, ski and snowboard rental, restaurant, bar. After last year's shutdown of the resort, this winter season is preparing for its full start, as evidenced by the interesting and advantageous ski pass offer. This ski resort is connected by a tourist cross-country trail and a cross-country skiing area in the nearby locality of Krúžok near the village of Úloža, where there is a well-groomed circuit for classic cross-country skiing, as well as for skating technique.
Thermal Park Vrbov
In the cold winter, it's good to relax your muscles and mind in the hot thermal water. Vrbovec people have been blessed by nature with a great gift. The geothermal water, which comes to the surface from two boreholes, is enriched with a number of healing minerals. Calcium, magnesium, carbonates and sulphur are brought to the surface from a fascinating depth of 2.5 kilometres. During the winter season, the Thermal Park in Vrbov offers relaxation in the water at a temperature of 26° - 38°C. Jets with streams of flowing water contribute to the rich relaxation of visitors.
True winter atmosphere
Winter in northern Spiš and Pieniny is magical and enchanting. You can soak up the Christmas atmosphere at the Christmas markets in Stara Ľubovňa, Sunday Advent markets at the Crater in Vyšné Ružbachy, or Christmas fairy tales in Nestville Park. The older ones can enjoy the carnival donut baking. The whole family will enjoy the winter season on ice skates, whether indoors at the PEM Arena in Stara Ľubovna or on the outdoor ice rinks in Nová Ľubovna and Nestville Park in Hniezdno. If the winter is generous, cross-country skiers and ski mountaineers will find their own not only in the beautiful Pieniny Mountains, but also in the hills of the Ľubovnianska Highlands.
Where to go with the children?
Skating at the ice rinks in Levoca and Kežmarok will be available to the public during the winter months according to the current opening hours. Children can also enjoy carnivals on the ice or in the snow.
For adventurers and also for families with children we recommend visiting the Xpark in Stara Ľubovňa. XPARK is a sports, recreational and multifunctional complex focused mainly on freestyle sports. It is the only snowpark in Slovakia built directly in the city and the first one built of clay, where you can ride on natural snow. In XPARK there is a 200-meter long ski lift, lighting, sound system, children's ski slope, more than 20 obstacles of different difficulty and character suitable for skiing, snowboarding and cycling. There is even the possibility of sledging and sliding on the inflatable wheels that are available for hire.
In Nestville Park, children can enjoy good chocolate and the sight of a 9-metre-high Christmas tree made from 150 oak barrels used to make whiskey. But you don't have to tell the kids.
Winter hiking
The village of Tatranská Javorina is located near Ždiar. In case of sufficient snow, it offers skiing on a smaller slope with a lift, which is suitable for less demanding skiers. Non-skiers will enjoy a visit to the charming wooden church near the local cemetery. By walking around it, you will learn about the interesting personalities buried there. Follow the asphalt road along the Javorinka stream for about 4.7 km to the Podmuráň mountain station, where you will find a resting place with benches and a geological educational area that will introduce you to the rock composition of the Tatras. Take the same route back. The whole walk there and back takes about 3 hours. The reward is the magnificent views of the peaks of the High Tatras from Javorova Dolina and the sound of the clear water of the Tatra stream.
Have you visited the Eliášovka lookout tower in Litmanova? Eliášovka Hill with an altitude of 1 023 m above sea level is the highest point of the Ľubovnianska Highlands, the highest point of the Litmanová municipality and the border peak of the Slovak-Polish border. At the top of Eliášovka you will find a lookout tower about 20 metres high with a view of the Slovak and Polish hills. It is recommended to combine the ascent to Eliášovka with a visit to the pilgrimage site on Mount Zvir, Jarabinský breakthrough or city Stará Ľubovňa. The shortest way from the Zvir mountain to the Eliášovka mountain is along the cycle path below the pilgrimage site. It is not marked on the map, but it connects with the hiking trail marked in yellow. You can also reach Eliášovka from the villages of Jarabina and Litmanová along the marked trails.
Events
- 12. 2023 - Arrival of St. Nicholas and opening of the Christmas market, Spišské Podhradie
- 12. 2023 - Rob Opatovsky's Christmas Concert in Bachledka
- 12. 2023 - Kubo - musical - tribute to Jozef Króner - in Kežmarok
- 12. 2023 - Christmas feast in KUPELY ČERVENÝ KLÁŠTOR Smerdžonka, Červený Kláštor
- - December 16, 2023 - Christmas Market, Stará Ľubovňa
- 12. 2023 - Illumination of the Wonderland in Bachledka
- 12 - 31 December 2023 - Castle Christmas Market, Stará Ľubovňa
- 12. 2023 - New Year's Eve party, Vyšné Ružbachy
- 1. 2024 - Vianočný muzikál „ANJELSKA POVIESTKA“ - Koncertná sála, Spišské Podhradie
- 2. 2024 - Pieniny Winter Run, Červený Kláštor
- 2. 2024 - Fašiangový sprievod – Mariánske a Palešovo námestie, Spišské Podhradie
- 12. 2023 - Vianočný remeselný trh, Levoča - Námestie Majstra Pavla
- 12. 2023 - Detský Silvester, Levoča - Námestie Majstra Pavla
- 1. 2024 - Novoročný koncert, Levoča (Kongresová sála)
- 5. 2024 - Jarný deň otvorených dverí v KÚPEĽOCH ČERVENÝ KLÁŠTOR Smerdžonka
- 5. 2024 - Majáles, Stará Ľubovňa
