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The Czech–Polish border runs through the Krkonoše, known in Polish as Karkonosze, and there are ski areas on both sides. We are a rental on the Czech side, in Vrchlabí, so we will say it plainly: each side offers something different, and there is no single answer for everyone. Below are facts from resort websites, the Czech regional tourist portal, a route planner and public authorities, as of September 2026. Check the latest information on the resorts’ websites before you travel.
The Polish side: Szklarska Poręba and Karpacz
Szklarska Poręba has the Szrenica Ski Arena. According to the operator, it has 12 km of pistes with snowmaking, and the Szrenica I and Szrenica II lifts go up Szrenica. Karpacz has the Karpacz Ski Arena with the Zbyszek lift up to Kopa below Sněžka (Śnieżka). The operator says it is 2,278 m long with four-seater chairs, and there are more lifts too, including the Liczykrupa two-seater chairlift, drag lifts and magic carpets.
According to the route planner, both are about 20 km from Jelenia Góra and around 130 km from Wrocław. From our rental in Vrchlabí, Szklarska Poręba is about 46 km and Karpacz about 60 km away.
The Czech side: Špindlerův Mlýn and more than twenty other areas
The Czech regional tourist portal lists more than twenty winter resorts on the Czech side. They include:
- Špindlerův Mlýn: 27 km of pistes in five areas, according to the town. According to ČTK, the season should start on 12 December 2026 with the new Přehradní chairlift and a link from Medvědín to Svatý Petr, for now in that direction only.
- SkiResort ČERNÁ HORA – PEC: according to the operator, six areas and 50 km of pistes and ski paths on one pass, including Pec pod Sněžkou and Černá hora in Janské Lázně.
- Harrachov: two chairlifts up Čertova hora, close to the Harrachov–Jakuszyce border crossing. According to the tourist portal, a ski bus also runs from here to the cross-country trails at Jakuszyce.
- Rokytnice nad Jizerou, Paseky nad Jizerou and smaller family areas, for example around Vrchlabí.
Getting to the Czech side
According to the route planner, it is about 82 km from Jelenia Góra to Špindlerův Mlýn, roughly an hour and a half via Szklarska Poręba, Jakuszyce and Harrachov. From Wrocław it is about 169 km, just under three hours, via the A4 motorway, the S3 expressway and the Lubawka–Královec crossing. Both routes pass through Vrchlabí and, according to the planner, need no Czech vignette. On the Czech side, the rules include:
- zero tolerance of alcohol for drivers,
- winter tyres from 1 November to 31 March whenever there is snow, ice or frost on the road or it can be expected, and always under the Winter equipment sign,
- headlights on all year round.
Money: złoty and koruna
You pay in złoty on the Polish side and in Czech koruna (CZK) on the Czech side. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, card payments are widespread in the Czech Republic. The European Consumer Centre Germany advises paying by card in the local currency rather than accepting a conversion into your card’s currency, which uses a worse rate. At Czech exchange offices, the Czech National Bank says you can cancel an exchange within three hours, up to the equivalent of one thousand euros.
Rescue and insurance on both sides
- Polish side: the Karkonosze group of the mountain rescue service GOPR. You call for help through the Ratunek app or on 985 or +48 601 100 300.
- Czech side: the Czech Mountain Rescue Service (Horská služba) on +420 1210, around the clock. The European number 112 works on both sides.
- Mountain rescue on the Czech side is invoiced to foreign visitors, and the EHIC does not cover it. The Czech Mountain Rescue Service recommends insurance that covers its call-outs.
- With a European Health Insurance Card, EU visitors are entitled to necessary care from doctors and hospitals with a contract with a Czech health insurance fund.
How to choose: a few questions to ask yourself
- How far do you want to drive? From Jelenia Góra, Karpacz and Szklarska Poręba are about 20 km away, Špindlerův Mlýn about 82 km.
- How long are you staying? On a longer stay you can switch between areas; on the Czech side, about fifteen lie within an hour’s drive of Vrchlabí.
- Do you want one pass for several areas? At SkiResort ČERNÁ HORA – PEC, one pass covers six areas.
- Does your insurance cover mountain rescue? On the Czech side, you pay for it.
Gear from Vrchlabí if you choose the Czech side
Our family-run rental is in Vrchlabí on the main road to Špindlerův Mlýn. According to the route planner, the route from Wrocław via Královec runs right past us along Valteřická street, and the route from Jelenia Góra via Harrachov passes about 700 metres away. We rent skis, snowboards and cross-country skis for your whole stay or the whole season. Bring an ID card or passport, and it helps to know everyone’s height, weight and shoe size. Online bookings must be made at least one day in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Špindlerův Mlýn or Karpacz: where should I go skiing?
It depends on where you are coming from and what you are looking for. According to the town, Špindlerův Mlýn has 27 km of pistes in five areas, while Karpacz Ski Arena has a lift up to Kopa and several more lifts. From Jelenia Góra it is about 19 km to Karpacz and about 82 km to Špindlerův Mlýn.
What currency do I need in the Krkonoše?
Złoty on the Polish side and Czech koruna on the Czech side. At card terminals, pay in the local currency rather than accepting a conversion. At our rental, you pay on pick-up by card, by QR payment or in cash.
What are the emergency numbers on the Polish and Czech sides?
On the Polish side, the GOPR mountain rescue on 985 or +48 601 100 300, or through the Ratunek app. On the Czech side, the Mountain Rescue Service on +420 1210, and 112 works on both sides.
Do I need a Czech vignette to drive from Poland to Špindlerův Mlýn?
Not on the routes via Harrachov or the Lubawka–Královec crossing, which according to the route planner use no toll motorway sections. The list of toll sections is published at edalnice.gov.cz.
We will be glad to get your gear ready
Book online or give us a call. We will help you with sizing and servicing in the shop.
PricesBook online by 3 p.m. on the day before your pick-up.