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The Krkonoše, or Giant Mountains, are the highest mountains in the Czech Republic, and the national park administration counts them among the cradles of Czech skiing. The official regional tourist portal lists more than twenty winter resorts with around 180 km of pistes in total. Our figures on slopes and lifts come from the operators’ websites and the tourist portal (September 2026), and the distances from the public route planner OSRM, without traffic or weather. Check each resort’s website for winter 2026/27 before you travel.
How far is it from Vrchlabí?
According to the tourist portal, Vrchlabí lies in the middle of the range. By car from our rental on Valteřická street to the centre of each town or village, the route planner gives:
- Špindlerův Mlýn: about 16 km, roughly 18 minutes
- Janské Lázně with Černá hora: about 17 km, roughly 23 minutes
- Vítkovice: about 21 km, roughly 23 minutes
- Mladé Buky: about 21 km, roughly 26 minutes
- Rokytnice nad Jizerou: about 25 km, roughly 29 minutes
- Velká Úpa: about 29 km, roughly 37 minutes
- Pec pod Sněžkou: about 31 km, roughly 41 minutes
- Paseky nad Jizerou: about 31 km, roughly 38 minutes
- Malá Úpa: about 33 km, roughly 49 minutes
- Harrachov: about 35 km, roughly 40 minutes
- Žacléř: about 35 km, roughly 40 minutes
Špindlerův Mlýn: five areas and what is new for 2026/27
The closest resort to us is Špindlerův Mlýn. According to the town, it has 27 km of pistes in five areas: Svatý Petr, Medvědín, Hromovka, Horní Mísečky and Labská. The town describes Horní Mísečky as suitable for children and for beginner skiers and snowboarders. Ski passes are sold online through the Gopass system.
According to the Czech News Agency (ČTK) on 8 September 2026, the season should open on 12 December 2026 with the new six-seater Přehradní chairlift, which starts at a terminal on the site of the former P1 car park. It is 1,400 m long and can carry up to 2,000 people an hour. Skiers will then get from Medvědín to Svatý Petr without a car or ski bus, for now in that direction only. A two-way link with a ten-seater gondola to Medvědín is planned for winter 2027/28, bringing the resort to almost 40 km of pistes.
Who it suits: skiers after longer, varied pistes and a proper mountain resort; for small children, the town recommends Horní Mísečky.
Related articleA guide to the ski areas of Špindlerův MlýnSkiResort ČERNÁ HORA – PEC: six areas on one pass
The east of the range is covered by SkiResort ČERNÁ HORA – PEC. The operator lists six areas and 50 km of pistes and ski paths on one pass: Černá hora in Janské Lázně, Pec pod Sněžkou, Černý Důl, Velká Úpa, Svoboda nad Úpou and Malá Úpa. Ski buses link the areas, and a snowcat service called SkiTour takes skiers from Černá hora to Pec. According to the tourist portal, pass prices vary, and it recommends buying online.
- Černá hora (Janské Lázně): an eight-seater gondola to the top, two chairlifts, nine drag lifts and 17.5 km of pistes. The operator mentions runs of up to three kilometres; the floodlit Protěž piste is open in the evening, and children have a learning area with a magic carpet.
- Pec pod Sněžkou: 14 km of pistes on both sides of the valley below Sněžka (1,603 m), the highest peak of the Krkonoše, with the Funline track (banked turns and a tunnel), a children’s area with a covered magic carpet and evening skiing on Javor.
- Velká Úpa: a smaller area with mostly gentle slopes and the Portášky chairlift, good for families and beginners.
- Malá Úpa (SKiMU): two linked areas, Pomezky and U Kostela, with more than 6 km of blue and red pistes and nine drag lifts.
- Černý Důl: wide, gentle slopes for families, covered in our guide to the areas around Vrchlabí.
The western Krkonoše: Harrachov, Rokytnice and Paseky
Harrachov: according to the operator, the Delta chairlift from the town centre and the Alfa chairlift from Rýžoviště go up Čertova hora, together with the Doplik drag lift. The pistes are Modrá, Červená I, Červená II and Černá, and one run is floodlit in the evening. According to the tourist portal, a ski bus also runs to the Polish cross-country trails at Jakuszyce.
Rokytnice nad Jizerou: at Nahoru Resort, two four-seater chairlifts go up Lysá hora, from where a piste runs all the way down to Horní Domky. A free ski bus serves the town, which also has smaller areas such as Studenov, Modrá Hvězda – Bahýnka, Sachrovka and Pařez.
Paseky nad Jizerou: two four-seater chairlifts, two drag lifts, a children’s park, snow tubing, a snow park and evening skiing. According to the portal, its ski pass also works at U Čápa in Příchovice and in Vysoké nad Jizerou.
Smaller ski areas near Vrchlabí
You do not have to drive far: Kněžický vrch and Herlíkovice–Bubákov are in Vrchlabí itself, with Strážné, Černý Důl and Benecko nearby. We cover them in a separate article.
Related articleSkiing in and around Vrchlabí: five smaller ski areasTo the south-east, Mladé Buky has a four-seater chairlift, evening skiing several days a week and free parking. In Žacléř, the family area Bret in Prkenný Důl offers a children’s park, snow tubing and evening skiing. Vítkovice has the Aldrov area with the Prezidentský expres chairlift and a snow park, plus the family areas Janova Hora and Vurmovka.
Which resort suits whom?
- Small children and beginners: Horní Mísečky in Špindlerův Mlýn, Velká Úpa, Černý Důl, the children’s parks at Černá hora and in Pec, or Kněžický vrch in Vrchlabí.
- Long descents: Černá hora, Lysá hora in Rokytnice and Špindlerův Mlýn.
- Several areas on one pass: SkiResort ČERNÁ HORA – PEC.
- A short session after arrival or in the evening: the small areas near Vrchlabí. Evening skiing is available at Hromovka in Špindlerův Mlýn, Černá hora, Pec, Harrachov and Paseky, for example.
Gear for your whole stay from Vrchlabí
If you switch resorts, you do not need to switch gear. Rent it from us in Vrchlabí for your whole stay and take it wherever you like. We choose ski length by height, weight and experience and set the bindings to your weight. Mr Honců also sharpens and waxes your own skis by hand; skis dropped off in the afternoon are usually ready the next morning.
Skiing also runs in the family here. A direct ancestor of the owner is Jan Buchar, the first chairman of the Ski Association of the Kingdom of Bohemia. The Bucharova cesta, which now links Jilemnice with the source of the Elbe, bears his name.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilometres of pistes do the big Krkonoše resorts have?
SkiResort ČERNÁ HORA – PEC lists six areas and 50 km of pistes and ski paths on one pass. According to ČTK, Špindlerův Mlýn has had 27 km of pistes so far and should have almost 40 km once its areas are fully linked.
How far is it from Vrchlabí to Pec pod Sněžkou and Harrachov?
According to the route planner, it is about 31 km from our rental to Pec pod Sněžkou and about 35 km to Harrachov, both roughly 40 minutes without traffic. Allow extra time in winter.
Where can I ski with small children in the Krkonoše?
According to the operators, good options for families include Horní Mísečky in Špindlerův Mlýn, Velká Úpa, Černý Důl and Kněžický vrch right in Vrchlabí. Černá hora, Pec pod Sněžkou and other areas also have children’s parks with magic carpets.
Is one ski pass valid at several resorts?
Yes, at SkiResort ČERNÁ HORA – PEC, for example, one pass covers six areas. According to the tourist portal, the Paseky nad Jizerou pass is also valid at U Čápa in Příchovice and in Vysoké nad Jizerou.
Can I rent skis in Vrchlabí and use them at different resorts?
Yes, you rent the gear for your whole stay and take it wherever you like. Online bookings must be made at least one day in advance.
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.