Kumoterki - traditional sleigh race

Kumoterki - traditional sleigh race

Kumoterki is the name of the sport discipline popular in Podhale region in Poland. The team (a couple and a horse) tries to get the highest score in a sleigh race. Usually a man is teaming and a woman acts as a ballast ;) But sometimes the roles are switched. The oval-shaped track is approx. 400 meters long and the audience is standing around it. 

Another contest is skiring where skiers teaming horses compete. In the second version called ski-skiring one person is riding a horse and a second one - the skier is only trailed. Everything is very spectacular and exciting. 

The competition is preluded by Parada Gazdowska (can be translated as Farmers Parade). It is also some kinde of contest but a bit more static ;) Farmers dressed in the regional costumes ride in the decorated sleigh pulled by bedecked horses. During the parade they are scored by the jury. The referees mark horses, harnesses, sleigh and the owners. It is a great chance to see the traditional highlanders outfit and hear the regional music.

When and where can we watch the contests?

The competitions are held in Podhale region during the carnival. You can watch them every sunday in a different village: Kościelisko, Poronin, Biały Dunajec, Bukowina Tatrzańska, Ludźmierz and others. The best idea is to ask in the visitors centers in Podhale - they will inform you about the dates of the contests. Some information you can also find on the official website: www.kumoterki.pl (only in Polish). 

Tatry Ice Master - ice sculpturing championships

Every winter since 2013 a very interesting and spectacular competition takes place in the Tatras - the ice sculpturing championships called the TATRY ICE MASTER. Top artists from several countries of the world come to Slovakia to take part in the contest. During three days they have to complete the tasks - create ice sculptures in 3 different categories:

1. Bears
2. The country I come from
3. Abstract - free choice

That is amazing! You can watch the artist working, using different technics and tools, transforming ice blocks into fantastic shapes. 

The championship is accompanied by singers performances, daily contests, ice-shops and other amusements.

Everything takes place in the beautiful area of the High Tatras. There are splendid waterfalls 20 minutes walk from Hrebienok.

Directions: Hrebienok, The High Tatras, Slovakia. Take a funicular (or go on foot :) from Stary Smokovec to Hrebienok. On the way back you can enjoy 3 km long sledge track :)

The Orava Magura

Sometimes it comes the need to hike in the mountains we do not know, to visit a place largely untravelled... and then be able to boast about our new discovery. That is why we came up with the idea to visit the Orava Magura. Actually it was the second attempt to visit these mountains - this time completely successful :)

The Orava Magura is a mountain range in northern central Slovakia in the Orava region. It is a part of the Western Beskids – a group of mountain ranges in Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic. The ridges are mild and forested. From time to time hiking trails cross some clearings. The range is not popular among tourists mainly because there are not many marked trails and there is only one shelter. But those who seek for tranquillity will find it exactly here. The Orava Magura is good for day-trips or hiking with a tent.

The highest peak is Minčol (1394 meters) – together with Kubínska hoľa (1346 meters) are a central part of the Orava Magura. On the slopes of Kubínska hoľa you will find the only shelter in the mountains called Chata Kubínska hoľa. You can reach Minčol from Dolny Kubin, Zazriva or Oravský Podzámok. The southern slopes of Minčol and Kubínska hoľa are a ski resort (http://www.kubinska.sk/en)

The eastern part of the mountains with Magurka peak (1107 meters) is quite often visited because of the neighbourhood of the Orava Reservoir (popular tourist attraction). You can reach Magurka from Namestovo, Slanicka Osada (Orava Reservoir) and Trstena. From Slanicka Osada leads a narrow, asphalt road - perfect for cycling trips (good fitness required). 

The least popular part of the Magura Orava is of the northern one with the highest peak - Paráč (1325 meters). It is totally forested – trees are so precious that on the highest part of the mountain a natural reserve was created. Starting point for the trips to Paráč is Zazriva.

Tourist map - here.

Mountain ranges in the neighbourhood: Skorušinské vrchy, the Choč Mountains, Malá Fatra (Little Fatra.

Christmas Carols Festival in Zakopane

Hanka Rybka and her band

Singing Christmas carols is a very popular tradition in Poland. There are many countrywide known carols that probably everyone can sing. But each region is also rich in its own songs. 

During 'Carols, Pastorales and Christmas Songs Festival' (PL: 'Festiwal Kolęd, Pastorałek i Pieśni Bożonarodzeniowych') wich takes place each year in Zakopane we can hear carols performed by local artists. This is a great chance to listen to traditional carols from different regions. The Festival starts in Christmas and lasts till February.

Concerts list for season 2013/2014 you will find here.

I went to the concert of Hanka Rybka (vocalist coming from the the Podhale region, graduated from the Academy of Music in Katowice, performing folk music in modern jazz arrangement) and her music band. They played local highlanders traditional carols and pastorales and popular Polish carols (some were in their own arrangements). In the second part of the concert the vocalist invited group of children - her pupils. This little choir performed few carols - some children had really beautiful voices!

Listen to carols: 

Hanka Rybka - Gwiozdkowo Opowiostka - Dziecina mała 

Hanka Rybka - Gwiozdkowo Opowiostka - Zyń łowiycki, zyń

Hanka Rybka - kolęda Skocwa do Betlejem 

Hanka Rybka - Mizerna Cicha

Other songs by Hanka Rybka:

Hanka Rybka - Oj lulaj, lulaj... 

The Bennie Maupin Quartet and Hanka Rybka 

Ski resorts in Poland

Winter is coming so I decide to make an overview about ski resorts in Poland. I focus on ski areas in southern Poland in the Carpathian region. I will supplement this post systematically adding new descriptions of the ski resorts. If you have any observations on mentioned ski areas feel free to comment.

   THE TATRA MOUNTAINS AND AROUND 

BIAŁKA TATRZAŃSKA 
Location: see map. 
In general: The ski area Białka Tatrzańska is one of the biggest and most advanced in Poland. It  consists of 3 ski resorts – Kotelnica, Kaniówka and Bania. There are together 16 lifts (high speed sixes, quad chairs, triple chairs and surface lifts). Bania is designed for beginners – you will find there several short ski lifts and flat slopes. Kaniówka is good for beginners and intermediate skiers – slopes are easy but the lifts are longer. Kotelnica is suitable for beginners, intermediate and also advanced skiers. There are 8 lifts and 8 ski runs. Lift tickets: One ski pass to use all lifts together with Jurgów-Ski and Czorsztyn-Ski. Food and drink: There are several ski huts on the bottom and on the top of the slopes where you can have lunch or a snack. Ski rentals: Yes. Attractions: Terma BANIA (thermal baths, SPA, aqua park). Ski instructors: ask here.

Opinion: Slopes are well prepared and skiing is a pleasure there. In rush hours there might be queues for some lifts, but still you will find some less crowded. Ski resort is perfect for whole families with children.

JURGÓW

Location: see map.

In general: Ski resort Hawrań consists of 7 ski runs: beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert (see map) with the advantage of the last two. Lift tickets: One ski pass to use all lifts together with Kotelnica, Bania, Kaniówka, Czorsztyn-Ski (pricelist). Food and drink: I like food in the restaurant on the bottom of the ski lifts. Ski rentals: Yes. Ski instructors: ask here.

Opinion: Jurgów ski area is one of my favorite. Everyone will find there something for himself. A major advantage of the ski resort is an expert ski run which is nearly 1,000 meters long. Also the view from the ski lift is great!

ZAKOPANE - KASPROWY WIERCH

Location: see map.

In general: Two main ski runs start from the top of Kasprowy Wierch and they are quite long: 1400 m and 2000 m. The difficulty level is high and very high – you will find here advanced and expert runs. You can reach the top by a modern cable car. Than you can use two chairlifts skiing in side valleys. From the bottoms of the chairlifts two easier ski runs lead to the bottom of the mountain (a bus stop). Lift tickets: One ski pass to use all lifts. Food and drink: There is restaurant on the top of the mountain and some bars on its bottom (in Kuźnice). But I highly recommend visiting restaurant Kolibecka on your way back to the hotel – it is located next to roundabout. Ski instructors: ask here.

Opinion: read here. The biggest area of the expert runs in Poland. 

MAŁE CICHE

Location: see map. Www: www.skimaleciche.com 

In general: Ski slopes are entirely intended for intermediate skiers. There are 4 ski runs – the longest is 1,300 m long. Lift tickets: One ski pass to use all lifts. Ski rentals: Yes. Ski instructors: ask here.

Opinion: Skiing in Małe Ciche is one of the most interesting options for intermediate skiers – those who are starting an adventure with winter sports will have a great fun on a long ski run!

New Polish ski areas reviews soon!

Skiing in the Tatra Mountains, Poland

Skiing on Kasprowy Wierch, photo by Andrzej Śliwiński

One of my favourite places for downhill skiing in Poland is Kasprowy Wierch in the Polish Tatra Mountains. It has some advantages that other places lack.

First of all a beautiful view from the top... You can see many of the highest peaks of the Polish and Slovakian Tatras. Very often the summit rises above the clouds surface, so you find your self over the sea of fog. Amazing. If you are lucky you may see a Brocken spectre.

Brocken spectre, Kasprowy Wierch, photo by Andrzej Śliwiński

Ski slopes on Kasprowy Wierch are prepared without snowmaking - in my opinion (I suppose not only mine) skiing on the natural snow gives much more fun, more pleasure. Snow guns are not used in the Tatra National Park due to the nature protection. The process of snowmaking needs much water, whereas the water resources are here a subject of preservation. That is the reason why the ski slopes are sometimes closed (while the others work) - they need regular snowfall. Some people may regard it as an inconvenience. For me it is just a coexistence with nature.

The ski slopes are quite long: Kocioł Gąsienicowy Valley - 1400 m, Kocioł Goryczkowy Valley - 2000 m. The difficulty level is high and very high. Those two ski runs start from the top of Kasprowy Wierch. You can reach it by a modern cable car. Than you can use two chairlifts skiing in Gąsienicowa and Goryczkowa Valleys. From the bottoms of the chairlifts two easy ski runs lead to the bottom of the mountain (a bus stop).

Chairlift, Kasprowy Wierch, photo by Andrzej Śliwińśki

The weather station on Kasprowy Wierch, photo by Andrzej Śliwiński

Ski map - Kasprowy Wierch, from: www.pkl.pl

USEFUL LINKS:
Kasprowy Wierch cableway and chairlifts, tickets, information
Kasprowy Wierch webcam