I fall in love with places. Once and for all. And if these places are in Poland, I also feel proud and want to show off our country to everyone around me. A few weeks ago I discovered a great spot on the map of Poland. It is unique, intimate, surrounded by nature, and created with attention to detail. I was only supposed to be at Ski & Sun Apartments in the Jizera Mountains for a moment as part of the photoshoot for the OpenCall Magazine. Instead, I stayed a few days and am already planning my summer stay. Today I would like to share with you the place that has stolen my heart and which I highly recommend you to visit while traveling around Poland.
Ski&Sun Apartments – the highest located hotel in Poland
Let me start with its unique location, as the Ski & Sun Apartments is the highest situated recreational facility in Poland. In winter, you can only get there by gondola, which in my honest opinion is only an added value. Imagine that your stay begins with a ride with breathtaking views on the Jizera Mountains and Świeradów Zdrój stretching at their feet. I experienced it in winter when it was snowing and the trees on the slope were bending from the weight of the snow. Everything was shrouded in the oncoming dusk mist. It’s been a long time since I felt so excited about what is coming …
Świeradów-Zdrój as a town with healing properties was described as early as 1572. And although this area has been famous for its stunning beauty for almost 450 years, the Jizera Mountains still remain undiscovered by crowds of tourists. This place guarantees peace of mind, quiet, and intimacy. Perfect conditions to disconnect from the world and stay close to nature. For me, this is a definition of contemporary luxury.
Amazing design and the view of the mountains
I love intimate places with boutique vibes. Ski & Sun Apartments has only 8 apartments, each of them is characterized by a sophisticated and unique design. The first thing you notice when you go inside is the wood that dominates the interior. The design is inspired by the mountain style but at the same time remains modern and offers comfort.
The apartments apart from the bedroom have a seating area with a sofa and a desk. On the first morning, I moved them to the window, creating a unique office with a view of the mountains. To be honest, I seriously consider coming here in the summer just to be able to work and write being inspired with such view. The place is the quintessence of office goals.
This time, however, I could only focus on having my time, slowly sipping coffee every day and a fairy-tale winter wonderland outside the window.
Not to mention that in my apartment the bed was facing the window so that in the morning I was woken up by an unearthly view of the mountains. I really appreciate this sensational space that allows you to get as much pleasure as possible from your stay.
Royal, long-celebrated breakfasts and elegant evenings at the wine bar
As you probably already know from my other posts, I’m obsessed with hotel breakfasts. I love celebrating them, which is undoubtedly due to the fact that I don’t have time to enjoy them on a daily basis. The breakfasts here exceeded my wildest expectations. They are truly royal. You can choose from several tasty meals served warm, and in addition, on your table, there is a plate with a selection of cold meats, cheeses and vegetables and a basket of fresh, tasty smelling bread. The coffee machine and a selection of teas are available to guests around the clock, so you can have a coffee break whenever you need it.
In the evenings, supper is served in the main room, the menu changes daily and the dishes are really huge. I was taking one dish for two people because I wouldn’t be able to eat it all. In addition, you can always count on a homemade dessert.
And in summer, you can have supper under the stars on the beautifully situated summer terrace. This is definitely something I’m looking forward to on my next visit!
My favorite place was absolutely an elegant wine bar offering a wide selection of wines that you can choose from for your meal, or treat it as an evening drink. This place felt like a theater lobby – dimmed light, heavy maroon curtains and classical music give a sense of intimacy and make it a very romantic place for an evening date.
Endless activities in the Travel and Keep Fit style
My favorite combination is a luxurious holiday, but full of daily activities and time spent in nature. Ski&Sun Apartments bring all elements together, which is why they made such an electrifying impression on me.
It is a true paradise for skiers, offering a 2,500-meter long, ski run with various slopes. It is constantly snowed and prepared to satisfy even the most demanding skiers. The super modern gondola lift is 2,172 m long and can take up to 2,400 people to the summit within an hour. The snow groomer aligns the route twice a day, which also allows for night skiing down a beautifully lit slope. It looks fabulous! Additionally, there is also a Ski&Bike ski school in the resort, where you can buy skiing classes. In addition, there is a snowboard ski rental on site, which is super convenient. The price of accommodation includes the FreeSki Skipass day + night, so you can ski endlessly.
Świeradów-Zdrój is also the winter destination for cross-country skiing. The Jizera Cross-Country Trail is perfect for both marathonists and beginners.
After the winter madness, the must-go is the outdoor sauna with a glass wall and a tub, where you can chill with a view of the panorama of the city, forest, and mountains.
Looking ahead a bit, in spring, summer and autumn you can go on bike tours which offer breathtaking views. Electric and MTB bike rental is available on site. Single Tracks, or natural cycle paths, are built with respect for nature. The routes offer various levels of difficulty, and by choosing the speed to suit your level, you can go even with children.
Endless activities in the Travel and Keep Fit style
My favorite combination is a luxurious holiday, but full of daily activities and time spent in nature. Ski&Sun Apartments bring all elements together, which is why they made such an electrifying impression on me.
It is a true paradise for skiers, offering a 2,500-meter long, ski run with various slopes. It is constantly snowed and prepared to satisfy even the most demanding skiers. The super modern gondola lift is 2,172 m long and can take up to 2,400 people to the summit within an hour. The snow groomer aligns the route twice a day, which also allows for night skiing down a beautifully lit slope. It looks fabulous! Additionally, there is also a Ski&Bike ski school in the resort, where you can buy skiing classes. In addition, there is a snowboard ski rental on site, which is super convenient. The price of accommodation includes the FreeSki Skipass day + night, so you can ski endlessly.
Świeradów-Zdrój is also the winter destination for cross-country skiing. The Jizera Cross-Country Trail is perfect for both marathonists and beginners.
After the winter madness, the must-go is the outdoor sauna with a glass wall and a tub, where you can chill with a view of the panorama of the city, forest, and mountains.
Looking ahead a bit, in spring, summer and autumn you can go on bike tours which offer breathtaking views. Electric and MTB bike rental is available on site. Single Tracks, or natural cycle paths, are built with respect for nature. The routes offer various levels of difficulty, and by choosing the speed to suit your level, you can go even with children.
Must-see places near Jizera Mountains
Of course, let’s not forget about the trekking routes that this area is famous for. Favorite and recommended in the Jizera Mountains are (one-way route time):
- Observation tower SMERK (1 hour),
- Tower in Czerniawska Kopa (1 hour 30 minutes),
- Jizera Glade (1 hour),
- Paličník View point (2 hours),
- Chatka Górzystów (1 hour 40 minutes),
- ORLE tourists station (2 hours 40 minutes),
- STANISŁAW Quartz Mine (2 hours 40 minutes),
- Jizerka (3 hours 15 minutes).
Observation tower SMERK
The two peaks (1,124 m above sea level) are the highest of the Czech part of the Jizera Mountains. The name of the peak Smrk (spruce in Czech) refers to the numerous spruce trees that grow here. Its intensive planting took place after the ecological disaster that hit the Jizera Mountains in the 1980s. The first Wooden Observation Tower on the top was built on the Czech side as early as 1892 and survived until the end of World War II. In the following years, a small shelter was built next to it. After numerous efforts, in 2003 a new tower was built according to the design of Jan Duda. A tourist hostel is adjacent to it. Nearby is a monument to the German poet Theodor Korner, who visited the site in August 1809.
Tower in Czerniawska Kopa
The wooden observation tower at the top of Czerniakowska Kopa (776 m above sea level) stands in the place of a previous structure, destroyed after World War II. The current one is 15 m high and has two viewing platforms from which you can admire the panorama of the area. When the weather is good, you can see Zgorzelec and the characteristic chimneys of the Turoszów Power Plant in Bogatynia. The black and green trails lead to the tower from Czerniawa.
Jizera Glade
The history of a wet and peated glade in the High Ridge of the Jizera Mountains is associated with the settlement of lumberjacks who harvested wood in this area from the 18th century. Later, buildings meant for workers were transformed into tourist inns. Already in the 19th century, it was a popular destination for visitors from Świeradów Zdrój. After World War II, the settlement was depopulated. To this day, only the things that survived are the remains of the foundations and the Wera road stone with the date of 1889 showing the direction to the former settlement of Gross Iser.
Palicník View point
A stone group located south of Smrk at an altitude of 944 m above sea level. At the top, granite stones connected by a wooden bridge create a viewpoint over the Czech part of the Jizera Mountains. A characteristic point at the top is a wooden cross from 1992 at the initiative of priest Milos Raban. The mountain is also a popular climbing destination
Chatka Górzystów Mountain Hut
The only building that remained from the Gross Iser settlement in the Jizera pasture. It was a village founded by religious refugees in the 17th century, which – according to the Church chronicles from Świeradów Zdrój – had about 130 inhabitants at the end of the 19th century. Along with the development of tourism in the settlement, taverns and hostels were created. The main occupation of the inhabitants was herding and forestry work. After World War II, these areas were electrified. The further history of the settlement is still a mystery. It is known, however, that the town ceased to exist in just a few years. In the building of the new school from 1938 (“Chatka Górzystów”) there is an exhibition of old photographs of Gross Iser.
Orl Tourist Station
The former settlement (Karlsthal) founded in the 18th century by the Preussler family. Its convenient location close to quartz deposits and endless wood resources quickly contributed to the development of the glassworks facility. The different types of glass produced here were highly appreciated all over Europe. At the end of the 19th century, the facility was closed. A monument to a glassworker is a memento of the former inhabitants of the settlement. The surviving building of the former forester’s lodge now houses the Orle tourist station. The characteristic turret in the building used to have a bell, the sound of which called the workers to work. On the route to the Jizera pasture, there are two border buildings from the 1930s.
Stanisław Quartz Mine
It is one of the most characteristic points of the High Ridge in the Jizera Mountains. In the zone where two types of rocks join, long quartz veins were formed, which were already exploited in the 13th century. Until recently, the “Stanisław” opencast quartz mine was operating in the top parts of the northern and eastern slopes. The mining level was at an altitude of 1050 to 1080 m above sea level, which made the mine the highest situated facility of this type in Central Europe.
Jizerka
This picturesque settlement is situated along the Jizerka stream in the heart of the Jizera Mountains, far from urban centers. It is dominated by scattered guesthouses and restaurants. The first mention of the village dates back to 1539. Because of its location near the border, the owners of nearby estates argued about it for many years. Information about the first local glassworks comes from 1828. Later, other buildings related to glassmaking (Klein Iser) began to be built. The former school houses the Jizera Mountains Museum.
From this place, I would also like to thank Monika and Kamil from Ski&Sun Apartments. I haven’t met such smiling, kind and helpful people for a long time. It is thanks to you that this place has such a standard and the stay is a pleasure. This is also the opinion that I’m sharing with my readers and from the bottom of my heart I recommend this place located in the Jizera Mountains.
The photos were made by Hania Kantor during winter photo session for OpenCall Magazine
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