Jakuszyce – for ski lovers

If cross-country skiing has a capital in Poland, it is definitely in Jakuszyce. This resort located on the boarder of Karkonosze and Izerskie Mountains is a true paradise for those for whom just skiing downhill is not enough.

Jakuszyce is the highest-located part of Szklarska Poręba, where winter is so much at home, that it usually stays over till late spring. All thanks to a unique micro-climate which guarantees a thick layer of snow, even if elsewhere primroses are already in bloom. These conditions make Jakuszyce an ideal host for winter sports events, the most important being Bieg Piastów (Piast Race) – the oldest and the biggest skiing event in Poland – which draws in crowds of contestants from all over Poland and abroad.  Thousands of skiers preparing for the race on Polana Jakuszycka is an impressive sight, but it is surpassed by what happens during Border Rush, one of the most difficult sled dog races in Europe, when the plain is filled with Alaskan malamutes, Siberian huskies and samoyeds spoiling for the run.

But Jakuszyce is first and foremost about cross-country skiing. Local skiing routes, which cover the distance of around 100 km, sprawl over Izerskie Mountains and ensure great skiing conditions with various levels of difficulty. They form loops in the shape of a clover leaf, crossing each other, so that the skiers can combine different trails and adjust their route to skills and preferences. The entrance is free-of-charge, and you can rent skiing equipment at the ”Jakuszyce” Cross-Country Skiing Centre.

While out on the trail you can’t miss out on visiting the cosy Orle, a mountain hostel located in an old forester’s cottage or dropping by Chatka Górzystów (Mountaineer’s cottage) to try their famous blueberry omelette. The best way of getting to and out of Jakuszyce is Izerska Railway, a special railway line shuttling between Jelenia Góra, Szklarska Poręba and Korenov (in the Czech Republic), which offers picturesque sights of Szklarska Poręba and the surrounding mountain peaks.

Regardless of whether you are a pro or a first timer, Jakuszce guarantees snow, well-prepared trails and wonderful sporting atmosphere – in short – all the ingredients of an ideal active winter break.