Winter in the Żywiec Beskid Mountains
The Żywiec Beskid, which includes the areas of Żywiec, Korbielów, and Zawoja, is a region full of beautiful mountain peaks offering picturesque views and natural attractions that are wonderfully described and highlighted by numerous educational signs. There are also interesting historical facts and tourist attractions in the area. In winter, this region offers numerous ski slopes with good infrastructure, such as Korbielów SKI >>> in the Pilska Massif. Additionally, the region is snowy, which is not so obvious in times of mild winters.
Żywiec Beskid for Skiing
Actually, the ski slopes on the Polish side of the border are not a hundred percent certain, but just beyond the Glinne Pass, the landscape changes as if by magic. Snow increases with every kilometer traveled. Locals explain this phenomenon in a down-to-earth way: it is caused by the water divide. Therefore, the Slovak region of Namestovo, just beyond the border, is a great alternative when there is a lack of winter on the Polish side.
Ski Resort Grúniky
The Slovak Ski-centrum Grúniky is a ski resort located near the border, accessible by a paved road with a large parking lot. It has a smaller slope ideal for beginners and a larger slope for more advanced skiers. Getting lost here is impossible – there is only one tavern with a toilet and a ticket office, as well as one ski equipment rental. However, we got the impression that there are many Polish skiers here. The equipment rental is operated by the Polish "Montessori Mountain Schools". There is a ski club operating here on a daily basis, and equipment rental is done in a pleasant and professional manner. Payment can be made in Polish zloty or euros, just like when buying lift tickets.
Żywiec Beskid - Nearby Attractions
What is worth seeing while spending winter in the Żywiec Beskid Mountains? We recommend, among others:
- Car trip "around Babia Góra". It is worth seeing the Queen of the Beskids in its winter attire! Climbing its peak in winter is a challenge for advanced and well-equipped hikers, while the blue trail from Krowiarki Pass to Markowe Szczawiny Shelter offers an easy walk for everyone, even in winter conditions: Krowiarki Pass - Markowe Szczawiny >>>
- Orawa Ethnographic Park in Zubrzyca Górna - note that it is only open until 3 PM in winter! Visiting the open-air museum in Zubrzyca Górna >>> The open-air museum in Zubrzyca Górna in winter
- Babiogórski National Park Directorate in Zawoja - Markowe. A small museum and educational trails, such as Mokry Kozub. The "Mokry Kozub" nature trail offers beautiful views of the surrounding hills, especially the Queen of the Beskids. It is divided into individual stages, each with a description of the Babiogórski nature, with intriguing titles such as Explorers' Clearing, Forest Classroom, etc. We spent a very pleasant 1.5 hours here and can definitely recommend this walk to families with even very young children. More about the natural exhibition at the Babiogórski National Park Directorate >>>
- The village of Orawka with its "Wawel". It refers to the 17th-century wooden Church of St. John the Baptist located on the Wooden Architecture Trail. It remembers both ancient and more recent history, such as the heroic defense of pilots on September 3, 1939. This event is commemorated by a plaque, a grave with national flags, and remnants of an airplane. The slender church tower (made of wood!), the interior (which unfortunately we could not see with our own eyes), as well as the nearby tiny bell tower (one of the bells was a gift from Hungarian King Ferdinand IV) are all captivating. And from the area around the church (which is a cemetery located on a hill), there is a beautiful view of this part of the Beskids.
- Waterfall in Sopotnia Wielka - the largest in the entire Beskids, with numerous rocky steps.
- Mosorny Groń - a ski resort in Zawoja, but you can also take a chairlift to the top without skis, for example, to admire the view of Babia Góra, take a walk along the ridge, relax, and have a warm meal at the upper station.
- Fort Wędrowiec in Węgierska Górka. This fort became famous for the defense of a handful of Polish soldiers against a Bavarian mountain division. Stopping Hitler's attack on Poland for 3 days earned the battle in Węgierska Górka the name "Westerplatte of the South." It is worth getting to know this little-known fragment of wartime history and paying tribute to the heroes.
- Old Inn in Jeleśnia - an 18th-century building on the Wooden Architecture Trail. It used to be located on a merchant route connecting Żywiec and Orava. It was regularly visited and robbed by Beskid bandits... It has an interesting layout of rooms that served specific purposes in the past, and it is topped with an original hipped roof. According to legends, the ceiling in the central hall was brought from the Cloth Hall in Kraków in the 19th century. Additionally, the interior is adorned with paper decorations, which the Jeleśnia area is famous for. And the food is delicious!
- Suski Castle and Castle Park in Sucha Beskidzka. There is a museum exhibition, extensive park, and the opportunity to walk to the Confederates' Chapel on Góra Jasień (it can be slippery in winter, as it is uphill). Resting, for example, in the historic Rzym Inn on the Market Square. More about the attractions of Sucha Beskidzka >>>
- Stryszawa - Beskid Wooden Toy Center. Possibility to visit the exhibition and participate in workshops - also individually. More about the Beskid Wooden Toy Center >>>
- Żywiec: Market Square, Castle Park with the Old Castle and Habsburg Palace. Until recently, Princess Maria Krystyna Altenburg from the Habsburgs lived here - the daughter of the former owners of the palace, which is commemorated by her monument-bench. Additional attractions include the Miniature Park and the Chinese Palace.
Quests in the Żywiec Beskid Mountains
We highly recommend puzzle walks called "quests." You can take a walk with them, for example, in Zawoja ("Siła Zawoi oczami Nowickiego" questy.org.pl >>>), Świnna near Krzyżowa ("Spacerem po zboczach Łyski" bestquest.pl >>>), or Węgierska Górka ("Westerplatte Południa" bestquest.pl).
Publish Date: 2022-01-13
Last Updated: 2022-01-20