Winter Sports in Vrchlabi
There are four chairlifts in the town’s immediate surroundings, providing access to Knezicky hill, Herlikovice and the Bubakov ski resort. All these resorts offer excellent conditions for children and adults. Those who prefer cross-country skiing can use not only the regularly groomed tracks around the town, totalling 35 km, but also a 3.5 km circuit in the town which features artificial lighting and snow. If you’re thinking about hitting the slopes or the ridges on cross-country skis, Vrchlabi is the place to start your sports experiences.
If you think it’s time for a change, you can swap your skis for skates and go to the Vrchlabi winter stadium, where public skating classes are regularly held. The weather will pose no problem, as you can enjoy sports in roofed venues as well.
Downhill Skiing
Herlikovice Ski Resort
This modern ski resort at the foot of Zaly mountain is the largest in Vrchlabi. Besides a chairlift, ski lifts and downhill tracks of various difficulty, it offers all the major services that a skier may need and expect. It is only 200 m from the upper station to the stone lookout tower and restaurant at the top of Zaly mountain. This ski resort and Bubakov ski resort share some downhill tracks and use the same pass.
Bubakov Ski Resort
This family-owned ski resort lies only 3 km from the town centre and faces south, meaning the sun shines here almost all day. A belt conveyor will take you from the car park to the main chairlift, something that younger or older skiers will appreciate. The downhill tracks are wide, which makes it an ideal place for beginner skiers, who may then try newly gained skills in the adjacent Herlikovice resort, which shares some tracks and uses the same pass as Bubakov.
Knezicky Hill Ski Resort
Just one kilometre from the main square in Vrchlabi, this resort offers skiing for your children while you can enjoy a view of the town and the landscape. The detachable, low chairlift makes access easier for children, the tracks are on mild slopes and wide, making this ideal terrain for teaching children to ski and for family skiing. Ski schools are available, too, as are small attractions for young skiers.
Kebrlak/Knezicky Hill Ski Resort
The Kebrlak chairlift will take you to Knezicky hill (550–710 m a.s.l.) which has beautiful views of Vrchlabi and the surrounding panorama of the Krkonose. This is a comfortable ascent to the cross-country tracks which connect the Vejsplachy leisure time resort to Vrchlabi and Benecko to Misecky. The mild slopes on the downhill tracks make it an ideal place for beginner skiers and families with children. The resort uses the same pass as the nearby Knezicky Hill Resort.
Cross-Country Skiing
Vejsplachy Cross-Country Resort
Every winter, many kilometres of cross-country tracks are groomed here, located around Kacak Lake in the Vejsplachy complex, south of the town. Homologated cross-country competition tracks lie nearby, as well as other cross-country tracks which lead to Horni Branna, Dolni Branna, Valterice and Knezice, and continue via Benecko to Horni Misecky. Other tourist cross-country tracks are available beyond the municipal park towards Lanov and Strazny. A special track around the football stadium, 3.5 km in length, features artificial lighting and snow. Vrchlabi offers a total of 35 regularly groomed cross-country tracks.
Skating
Roofed Winter Sports Stadium
The roofed winter stadium, which holds 1200 persons, of which 300 seated, is the home stadium for the Vrchlabi Second League ice hockey team as well as for youth ice hockey teams and skating classes. It offers slots for school and public skating. In summer it is used by the in-line hockey team. Besides this, some larger cultural events such as concerts are held here.
Vejsplachy Outdoor Ice Rink
If it’s freezing and the weather is appropriate, you can enjoy outdoor skating in Vejsplachy, on Kacak Lake. Warning – you do so only at your own risk.