Cross-country skiing in Krkonoše from Vrchlabí: where to go and what to rent

Right in Vrchlabí: Vejsplachy by Kačák pond

If you want to get out on cross-country skis straight away, without a long drive into the mountains, take a look at the Vejsplachy cross-country area by Kačák pond right in Vrchlabí. According to the official Krkonoše portal krkonose.eu, it has more than 7 km of regularly groomed trails. More than half of them have artificial snow and floodlights, so you can ski here in the evening too.

The trails are looked after by the local sports clubs Spartak Vrchlabí and TJ SVS Krkonoše. You can park right by the Vejsplachy sports ground, and trail information is on the website nabezky.cz. The area works well, for example, for:

• trying cross-country skiing for the first time without having to drive far into the mountains
• practising technique, for example before your first trip into the mountains
• a session after work or after dark on the floodlit part of the trails

Further into the mountains: Benecko, Horní Mísečky and the Krkonošská magistrála

According to the regional guide, more cross-country routes lead from Vrchlabí to Horní and Dolní Kalná, Valteřice and Kněžice, and via Benecko all the way to Horní Mísečky. At Horní Mísečky, according to the town of Špindlerův Mlýn, there are race loops from 1.5 to 10 km long for both classic and skate skiing. The town website also has a map of winter cross-country trails and an overview of cross-country spots in the area, such as Pláň, Horní Mísečky, the Krkonošská magistrála or Rovinka.

The backbone of the whole network is the Krkonošská magistrála, a ridge trail that runs 71 km along the ridges from Žacléř to Harrachov. According to the krkonose.eu portal, up to 600 km of cross-country trails are groomed in the Krkonoše mountains and foothills when snow conditions are good, so there is plenty to choose from, whether for a short outing or a full-day trip.

Classic or skate? What to choose the first time

Classic

In the classic style you ski in a set track, that is, in two parallel grooves. The movement is like brisk walking, the track keeps you heading in the right direction, and the skis need grip under the foot so they do not slide backwards when you push off. Most people on cross-country skis for the first time find classic more natural.

Skating (skate skiing)

Skating is done on the wide groomed surface next to the track, and the push-off is similar to ice skating. It is usually faster, but it takes more balance, technique and fitness. If you have never skated on skis, expect the first few kilometres to be hard work. Also, not every route has a groomed skating lane, so check before your trip.

• Classic suits you if you are a beginner, skiing with children or planning a longer, relaxed trip.
• Skating suits you if you are already steady on skis, reasonably fit and want to ski briskly on groomed trails.

How long should the poles be?

As a rough guide: for classic, somewhere between armpit and shoulder height; for skating, longer, between chin and upper lip. We will pick the right length with you on the spot, based on your height and the style you want to ski.

Rules in Krkonoše National Park

A large part of the mountains lies within Krkonoše National Park (KRNAP), which has its own rules for getting around on skis. Among other things, the park administration states that:

• skiing is allowed only on pistes, marked trails and designated ski touring routes
• in the quiet zone off the paths, and anywhere in the forest off the paths, skiing is prohibited
• cycling is not allowed on machine-groomed cross-country trails in winter
• dogs must be kept on a lead

Groomed trails are free, but you can contribute

According to the krkonose.eu portal, cross-country skiing in Krkonoše costs nothing, but grooming the trails costs a lot of money. It is taken care of by municipalities, sports clubs and associations, and anyone who wants to can contribute voluntarily. At Vejsplachy in Vrchlabí you can buy a ski badge (lyžařská známka) in different values, in Benecko the Hrdý přispěvatel (Proud Contributor) badge, and in Špindlerův Mlýn you can contribute via a QR code or a bank transfer.

Safety in the mountains: weather, navigation and Mountain Rescue

On the ridges the weather can change quickly, and in fog or strong wind it is easy to lose your bearings, even on a route you know. A few rules worth following:

• check the weather forecast and trail conditions before you leave
• take a charged phone, a map, an extra warm layer and something to drink
• remember that winter days are short and plan to be back in daylight
• tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back
• the Mountain Rescue Service (Horská služba) emergency line is +420 1210 and runs non-stop, so save it in your phone

Cross-country ski rental in Vrchlabí: what you can rent from us

At our rental shop in Vrchlabí you can rent a cross-country set for both classic and skate skiing. A set consists of skis, boots and poles. We wax the skis to suit the current snow, and if you ski more often, you can also rent them for the whole season.

It helps us choose if you tell us your height, weight, shoe size and whether you want to ski in the track or skate. We are also happy to advise you on a route, depending on how far you want to go and what the snow is like at the moment. Current prices are in the price list on the cross-country ski rental page.

Cross-country ski rental: classic and skate sets

From history: Jan Buchar and the beginnings of skiing in Krkonoše

Skiing has a long tradition in Krkonoše. One of its pioneers was Jan Buchar (1859–1932), a head teacher in Dolní Štěpanice. According to the Czech Tourist Club, his first Czech article about skis was published in 1894, followed a year later by the first Czech methodological paper on skiing, and in 1903 he became the first chairman of the Association of Skiers in the Kingdom of Bohemia. Today his name is carried by the Bucharova cesta (Buchar Trail), a hiking route of about 30 km from Jilemnice to the source of the Elbe (Labe).

For our rental, this chapter also has a personal side: according to the family history of the owner, Jiří Honců, Jan Buchar was his direct ancestor.

Book cross-country skis in advance