Winter in the Sudetes is a season of extraordinary contrasts: the severity of the mountains, the silence of white spaces and a real challenge for enthusiasts – from walks with children, through skiers, to experienced winter tourists. The main regions of winter activity are the Karkonosze Mountains and the Śnieżnik Massif, where you will find not only fairy-tale views and magical landscapes, but also real challenges – snowdrifts, avalanche danger and very changeable weather conditions.
Winter Tourist Trails of the Sudetes
- Karkonosze: The most extensive winter infrastructure, routes to Śnieżka, Samotnia, Mały and Wielki Staw, shelters open all season. Popular winter trails: Karkonoska Pass – Śnieżka – Strzecha Akademicka – Samotnia Shelter, the route over Mały Staw and to the Dom Śląski shelter.
- Śnieżnik Massif: Routes from Międzygórze to Śnieżnik, from Czarna Góra along the yellow trail to the shelter under Śnieżnik – often used by ski tourers, but requiring orientation in area.
- Table Mountains and Jizera Mountains: Trails around Szczeliniec, Pasterki, numerous cross-country skiing routes (e.g. Jakuszyce), “winter road of a hundred turns” – beware of slippery and impenetrable episodes.
Winter Snow and Magic of Landscapes
- Snowfall in the Sudetes can be heavy, and the snow cover can reach from a dozen to over a hundred centimeters depending on the altitude and the microclimate of the glacial gullies and basins.
- Above the upper forest line, the landscape changes into a sleepy tundra – a world of snowy winds, overhangs on the edges of cirques, fairy hats on trees, frost and fog limiting visibility to several dozen meters.
- The magic of the Sudetes in winter also includes the northern lights, spectacular sunsets reflecting off snow fields and night walks under the starry sky – conditions for photographers and nature lovers.
Avalanches in the Sudetes – Risk and Warnings
- The greatest avalanche risk concerns the Karkonosze Mountains, especially the Mały and Wielki Staw basins, Biały Jar and gullies on the slopes of Śnieżka (especially the Jubilee Road).
- A dozen or so avalanche accidents occur in the Sudetes every year. Avalanches are also a threat on the yellow trail between Śnieżne Kotły and the Pod Łabskim Szczyt shelter and on the edges of all post-glacial cirques.
- The main factors favoring avalanches are heavy snowfall, a significant increase in temperature, snow overhangs on ridges and steep slopes (slope above 30°).
Winter Tourism Safety – What Do You Need to Remember?
- Plan your route in advance: In winter, some summer trails are closed or very dangerous (ice, avalanches, cliffs).
- Check avalanche reports: current warnings on the GOPR, KPN and shelters websites.
- Wander only on marked winter trails: do not stray from the route – you may get lost, enter an avalanche or fall hazardous area.
- Proper equipment: warm, layered clothing, snow gaiters, snowshoes/crampons/hiking poles, headlamp, spare food and thermos with a hot drink, well-charged phone, map and compass (GPS may fail).
- Fitness preparation: In winter, every kilometer in deep snow is a big effort, falling dusk ends the day quickly.
- Never go alone, inform your loved ones about the route and time of expected return.
- Stay away from the edges of pots and snow overhangs! A broken overhang may cause an avalanche under its own weight.
Winter Activities – You Don’t Just Have to Walk
- Ski touring and cross-country skiing are becoming more and more popular: in Jakuszyce, the Karpacz area, special trails have been prepared on the routes around Międzygórze and Czarna Góra.
- Snowshoes – a great way to explore untrodden trails and valleys in deep snow without sinking in.
- For the brave: evening walks with a headlamp, photographing the moon over Śnieżka, night sledding in Międzygórze.
The Magic of the Sudetes in Winter – Inspiration and Respect
- In winter, the Sudetes can be more demanding than the Tatra Mountains: untrodden trails, rapidly changing conditions, fog and wind, but also unprecedented silence and spectacular views.
- The most important thing: enjoy snow adventures with responsibility and common sense.
