Karpacz in winter: what to do, where to go sledging and which trails are closed

In winter there is snow right in Karpacz, so you can go sledging or ride the Alpine Coaster without leaving town. The mountains are open too, but the trails call for good judgement. We live here all year round and run the Brick Museum in central Karpacz. Below we answer what winter guests ask us most often: which trails are closed, where to go sledging and what to do when the weather keeps you off the mountains.

Which trails around Karpacz are closed in winter?

Because of avalanche risk, Karkonosze National Park (together with the mountain rescue service GOPR) closes, among others:

• the red trail from the Nad Łomniczką hut through Kocioł Łomniczki to Dom Śląski,
• the yellow trail through Biały Jar to Strzecha Akademicka,
• the blue Droga Jubileuszowa (Jubilee Road) below Mount Śnieżka,
• the blue section along the bottom of Kocioł Małego Stawu (from Domek Myśliwski to Samotnia), with a detour along the service road.

Closures are decided by the park as conditions change, not on a fixed calendar. Check the notices on kpn.gov.pl (opens in a new tab) before every hike. In spring (in recent years from 15 March) some trails are also closed to protect black grouse.

The Samotnia and Strzecha Akademicka huts can be reached in winter from Wang Temple via Polana, using the detour around the closed section. National park trails require an entry ticket: 11 PLN standard, 5.50 PLN reduced (as of September 2026). The park ticket office at Wang is open 8:00–16:00 from October to March.

Can you climb Mount Śnieżka in winter?

Yes, but only in good conditions and with the right equipment. The ridge can bring strong wind, ice and poor visibility, and the climb usually takes longer than in summer.

• Route: from Wang Temple via Polana and the Samotnia or Strzecha Akademicka area to Dom Śląski, or from Kopa if the chairlift is running. In summer it takes about 3.5 hours from Wang (about 9 km) and about 1 hour from Kopa, so allow extra time in winter.
• Equipment: ankle boots, microspikes or crampons, gaiters and poles, spare warm layers and a charged phone.
• Last section: in winter you climb from Dom Śląski to the summit on the zigzags of the red trail, because the Jubilee Road is closed. If the wind picks up or visibility goes, turn back.

More on routes and walking times: Mount Śnieżka from Karpacz.

Does the Kopa chairlift run in winter?

Yes. In winter the “Zbyszek” chairlift up Kopa serves the Karpacz Ski Arena ski runs. The operator’s winter page shows the same price list for rides up and down as in summer. According to karpaczskiarena.pl, an uphill or return ticket includes the national park entry fee, but a downhill-only ticket does not. Check ski pass prices directly with the operator.

• The chairlift’s high season includes 24 December to 10 January and the Polish winter school holidays. These are the busiest periods.
• Operating hours change with the season, and the operator announces them in notices on its website.
• Kopa is exposed, and the chairlift may not run in strong wind, so have a backup plan.

Where can you go sledging in Karpacz?

• Municipal sledging hill on ul. Parkowa — free, next to the playground. It is small, so it suits younger children. At the municipal car park on ul. Parkowa (lower part) the first 30 minutes are free.
• Saneczkowa Góra, ul. Myśliwska 13 — paid.
• Karpatka hill, ul. Myśliwska 3 — paid, next to the ski slope.
• Nasza Górka, ul. Poznańska 7.

Sledging is only possible when there is enough snow. For more free ideas, see free things to do in Karpacz.

Is the Kolorowa toboggan run open in winter?

Yes. The Alpine Coaster at Kolorowa (ul. Konstytucji 3 Maja 51a) runs all year, including winter, while the summer toboggan track is seasonal. It is a rail-mounted coaster, not a sledging hill. According to the official website it is open 10:00–19:00. Children can ride from age 3, but under 8 only with an adult. Riding alone is allowed from age 8 and 135 cm.

What can you do indoors in Karpacz in winter?

• Brick Museum (Muzeum Klocków) — ul. Mickiewicza 11, entrance from Konstytucji 3 Maja street. In our museum of interactive LEGO brick models the SpaceX rocket launches, trains start and firefighters put out a fire. Open daily 10:00–18:00 (except 1 November); a visit takes 40–60 minutes.
• Video Game Museum — in the same building, on the top floor. The “Two Museums” ticket can be used on two different days.
• Karkonoskie Tajemnice — ul. Mickiewicza 1a, an underground exhibition about the Spirit of the Mountains, open daily 10:00–18:00 (except 1 November).
• Municipal Toy Museum — ul. Kolejowa 3. Open Tue–Fri 9:00–16:30 and Sat–Sun 10:00–17:30, closed on Mondays.
• Multimedia Museum of the Karkonosze (ul. Karkonoska 5) and Świat Kolejek (ul. Karkonoska 32) — both open daily 10:00–18:00.
• Wang Temple — from 1 November to 14 April open for visits 9:00–17:00. On Sundays and most holidays visits start at 11:30, after the service.

Further afield: the Podgórze Mine in Kowary (about 25 minutes by car) runs its underground route all year, daily 10:30–16:30. It is about 8°C underground.

Where can you swim in Karpacz in winter?

1. Tropikana Water Park at Hotel Gołębiewski (ul. Karkonoska 14) — our first choice after a day in the snow. The pool area is very large, so even during the winter holidays you can use it comfortably. There are indoor and outdoor pools, slides and jacuzzis. Day visitors are admitted Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00 and Sat–Sun 9:00–21:00, and children under 14 must be constantly supervised by an adult.
2. Aquapark Sandra Spa (ul. Obrońców Pokoju 3) — a 25 m pool, wave pool, lazy river, slides, paddling pool, jacuzzi and saunas. Open daily 9:00–21:00, but the last entry for day visitors is at 18:00.
3. Termy Cieplickie thermal baths in Jelenia Góra-Cieplice (ul. Park Zdrojowy 5) — about 25–30 minutes by car, open daily 8:00–22:00. It can get crowded.

What could a winter day in Karpacz look like?

Time	What to do	Tip
10:00	Sledging on ul. Parkowa or the Alpine Coaster at Kolorowa	The hill needs snow cover, while the Alpine Coaster runs all year.
11:45	Wang Temple and Dziki Wodospad in Upper Karpacz	The frozen cascade looks striking, but watch out for icy paths. On Sundays Wang opens for visits at 11:30.
13:15	Lunch	During the winter holidays and at Christmas, restaurants in the centre are packed, so eat early.
14:30	Brick Museum and Video Game Museum, then Karkonoskie Tajemnice	Entrance to the Brick Museum from Konstytucji 3 Maja street. Karkonoskie Tajemnice is next door and open until 18:00.
17:00	Pool at Hotel Gołębiewski	Day visitors are admitted until 21:00.

For two or three days, see our Karpacz weekend itinerary. Families will also find Karpacz with kids useful.

When is Karpacz busiest in winter?

The busiest times are the Polish winter school holidays and the Christmas period. Car parks in the centre and in Upper Karpacz fill up quickly, and high-season rates apply on the Kopa chairlift. Arrive early and visit indoor attractions right at opening time. Municipal car parks cost 8 PLN per hour or 40 PLN per day (2026 rates). The rebuilding of the promenade on ul. Konstytucji 3 Maja is planned to finish in December 2026, so early in the winter walking through the centre may still take longer.